受污农田中农作物对重金属镉的富集特征研究

采用湿法消化法研究了浙江省不同地区农田污水灌溉后水体、土壤和多种农作物各器官的镉含量,分析了土壤污染状况及农作物对重金属镉的富集特征。结果表明：污水和受污土壤镉含量极显著相关（R^2=0．617,P〈0．01）。不同农作物对镉的吸收程度不同,富集系数为紫云英〉水稻〉大豆〉大麦〉玉米〉小麦。未受污染农作物和受污农作物根系及地上部镉含量差异明显,但镉富集系数差异不明显。同一农作物不同器官对镉的累积规律为根系〉茎叶〉果实。不同农作物果实的富集系数为紫云英〉大麦〉大豆〉水稻〉小麦〉玉米。对几种农作物富集系数和吸收系数的比较发现,玉米和小麦根系及茎叶等营养器官富集镉的能力较强,但果实富集量却很低。6种农作物对镉的转移系数为玉米〉大麦〉紫云英〉小麦〉大豆〉水稻,且转移系数介于0．50～0．95之间,说明这几种农作物均对镉有很好的耐性。     

茄果类蔬菜对其产地土壤重金属的吸收富集与安全阈值研究

以3种常见的茄果类蔬菜(番茄、辣椒和茄子)为研究对象,开展了大量蔬菜-土壤对应的田间采样,测定蔬菜及其产地土壤中5种重金属(镉、铬、铅、砷、汞)含量并分析其相关性。结果发现,3种蔬菜对不同重金属的富集能力存在一定差异,5种重金属被蔬菜吸收的容易程度为镉铬铅、砷、汞。同一蔬菜的蔬菜重金属超标率和土壤重金属超标率存在明显不一致的现象。其中,蔬菜镉、铬、砷、汞的超标率均低于其对应的土壤样品超标率,而蔬菜铅的超标率则高于其对应的土壤铅超标率。通过建立菜-土重金属含量的回归分析模型,明确产地土壤重金属对茄果类蔬菜重金属富集的影响,并推算出种植该类蔬菜的土壤重金属安全阈值。     

菜地土壤铅、镉有效态与生物有效性研究

通过野外采样、室内测试分析,探讨重庆市北碚区菜地土壤铅、镉的有效态含量及生物有效性。结果表明：研究区菜地土壤铅、镉有效态平均含量为3.114,0.051mg/kg,生物有效性系数分别为7.7%,25.1%;小白菜可食部分铅、镉平均含量分别为0.123,0.021mg/kg,富集系数分别为0.4%,9.8%;从富集系数和生物有效性系数看,研究区菜地土壤镉的潜在生态风险要大于铅的。研究区菜地土壤理化性质中pH对有效态镉有显著影响;砂粒、粘粒和有机质对有效态铅含量有显著影响;铅、镉有效态与全量变化一致,全量是有效态含量的主要影响因素;土壤类型对铅、镉有效态含量有影响;在人类活动中交通对有效态铅含量有影响,肥料的施用对有效态镉含量有影响。菜地土壤中铅、镉有效态含量与小白菜可食部分铅、镉的含量相关性优于全量的,用土壤中铅、镉的有效态表征铅、镉的生态风险更准确。     

辽北地区农田土壤-作物系统中Cd、Pb的分布及富集特征

对铁岭地区农田土壤重金属Cd、Pb全量和DTPA可提取态量及其相应的玉米、水稻、蔬菜农作物中的重金属含量进行了分析。结果表明,铁岭地区蔬菜土受Cd污染最严重,超标率为40%,水稻土中Cd的超标率为6.67%,玉米土中Cd未有超标;该区3种作物农田土壤未受到环境Pb的影响,农田土壤Pb含量均低于自然背景值35 mg kg-1。该区农田土壤Cd的有效性强于Pb,表现为3种作物农田土壤重金属Cd的DTPA可提取态系数显著(P0.05)高于Pb。Cd在该地区蔬菜中的污染较为严重,超标率为20%,玉米和大米中Cd均未有超标;Pb在玉米和大米粮食作物中的污染较为严重,超标率分别为26.7%和13.3%,蔬菜中Pb未有超标。玉米、大米、蔬菜对土壤有效态Pb的富集系数大多低于0.2,对土壤有效态Cd的富集系数高于0.2的样本分别占各样本总数的26%、46%6、0%,3类作物对Cd的富集能力要强于Pb,而蔬菜对Cd的富集能力要强于大米和玉米。     

不同土壤质地条件下麦秸、铅对镉在水稻-土壤系统中迁移的影响

通过室外砂土和黏土的大型土柱栽培试验,研究了麦秸、铅对镉在水稻-土壤中迁移的影响。研究结果表明,在砂土和黏土中随着水稻的生长发育,水稻植株镉含量逐渐降低,添加铅和麦秸均促进了水稻对镉的吸收,增加了水稻植株镉的含量,且铅的促进效应大于麦秸处理。添加铅和麦秸有利于镉向籽粒的转运和提高水稻籽粒镉的富集系数,砂土中添加铅、麦秸的处理籽粒镉含量和富集系数比镉单一处理分别增加44.00%、36.00%和41.67%、50.00%;黏土中分别增加58.62%、43.00%和46.15%、61.54%。镉进入土壤后会随着水分流动向下迁移,在砂土中的迁移能力大于黏土。随着土壤深度的增加镉含量逐渐减少,黏土在40～60cm、砂土在60～80cm土层中镉含量与对照含量差异不显著。添加铅和麦秸可以降低镉在土壤中向下迁移的能力,降低幅度黏土大于砂土。     

三种肥料对镉污染土壤中小白菜吸收镉的影响

为了评价施用不同肥料对小白菜富集污染土壤镉的效果,通过盆栽试验研究普通复合肥、有机肥和缓释氮肥3种肥料及其不同用量对小白菜在镉污染土壤中吸收镉的影响。结果表明,与对照相比,施用肥料增强了小白菜对镉的吸收。施用普通复合肥的处理富集镉的效果最高,其次是施用缓释氮肥和有机肥的处理。根部镉含量分别提高了23.80%~26.53%、19.93%~21.48%和10.17%~15.88%。小白菜地上部Cd含量分别提高了11.79%~25.47%(普通复合肥)、9.49%~13.82%(缓释氮肥),而施有机肥降低了小白菜地上部Cd含量。在所有种植(包括施肥和未施肥的)的小白菜中,根部镉含量明显高于地上部分,是地上部分镉含量的2.28~2.74倍。同时,肥料施用增加了小白菜对镉的富集系数,根部的富集系数是茎叶的2倍左右。施用普通复合肥和缓释氮肥增加了土壤有效态镉含量,分别增加了12.16%~39.64%和1.35%~18.92%;施用有机肥降低了土壤有效态镉含量,分别降低了16.22%和7.66%。研究结果对小白菜修复镉污染的土壤具有重要的理论意义和借鉴价值。     

大豆和小麦对土壤中镉的吸收与富集研究

在温室条件下,采用盆栽方法研究了大豆和小麦在全镉含量为0.211~2.011 mg/kg的土壤中生长状况以及对镉的吸收与富集特征。结果表明,试验所设土壤镉含量对两种作物的株高和单盆籽粒数没有影响。随土壤镉含量的增加,两者单盆产量呈先增加后降低的趋势。大豆籽粒在土壤全镉含量为0.211~0.811 mg/kg时,小麦籽粒在土壤全镉含量为1.411~2.011 mg/kg时更容易积累镉。添加镉能明显增加两种作物植株各部分镉含量。外源添加镉对大豆的转移系数影响不明显,但能增加小麦的转移系数。两种作物的富集系数基本表现为根>茎叶>籽粒。在土壤全镉含量低于0.511 mg/kg时,大豆根和茎的富集系数接近或大于1.0,对镉的吸收较强。在土壤全镉含量高于0.811 mg/kg时,小麦茎叶的富集系数接近或大于1.0,对镉的吸收较强。小麦根的富集系数均高于大豆,且大于1.0,前者具有更高的镉富集能力。     

白银市平川区土壤与农产品硒含量特征及成因分析

为探明白银市平川区土壤硒分布规律和影响土壤中硒含量的因素,为保护和开发富硒土壤资源提供理论依据。我们在白银市平川区共采集土壤样本59个、农作物可食部分样品36个,通过检测分析土样全硒含量、土壤化学性状(铅、汞、镉、pH、有机质、有效硅、有效硼、有效铜、有效锌、有效铁、有效锰)与农作物可食部分全硒含量,研究了白银市平川区土壤与农作物全硒含量特征及其影响因素。结果表明:平川区土壤全硒平均含量为0.29 mg/kg,高出甘肃省土壤全硒平均含量45.0%,且富硒土壤母质均为冲洪积物。土壤全硒含量与土壤有机质(R2=0.32*)、有效硅(R2=0.35**)呈显著或极显著正相关。平川区各农产品全硒含量大小依次为胡麻、枸杞、藜麦、菊芋、玉米、马铃薯。平川区土壤硒含量有区域差异,西北部高于东南部,且灌区高于旱作区。土壤母质、有机质含量、有效硅含量是决定土壤富硒的主要因子,富集系数是各农产品全硒平均含量产生较大差异的主要原因。     

土壤中水分和镉供应量对油菜器官中镉分布特征的影响

为探究油菜作为镉(Cd)污染农田修复植物的可行性,本研究以德油5号为试验材料,采用全生育期土培盆栽试验,设置高、中、低3个水平的土壤水分及4个水平的土壤镉含量,研究不同土壤水分条件下油菜对镉的吸收和富集规律。结果表明,土壤水分与镉浓度对油菜的吸镉能力影响显著,且其吸收量随着土壤水分与镉浓度的增加而增大;油菜不同器官的镉含量差异较大,其地上部分吸镉量为土壤总镉含量的0.41%～1.17%,叶片镉含量为总吸收量的46.4%～72.6%;不同水分条件下,油菜器官的镉富集量差异明显,高水、中水处理下油菜各器官的镉富集表现为叶>茎>根>角果壳>籽粒,低水处理下表现为叶>根>茎>角果壳>籽粒。综上,油菜整体具有较强的吸镉能力,但镉离子不溶于菜籽油,说明油菜可吸收土壤中的镉,又不影响菜籽油食用,是修复镉污染农田土壤的理想植物。本研究为利用油菜进行重金属土壤综合治理提供了理论依据。     

土壤环境质量指导值与标准研究 Ⅴ.镉在土壤-作物系统中的富集规律与农产品质量安全

通过查阅国内现有镉污染农田土壤和作物中镉含量的相关资料,包括近30年来公开发表文献、国家"七五"科技攻关环保项目"土壤环境容量研究"等科研成果,结合本实验室在长江三角洲、珠江三角洲典型地区污染农田调查数据,经筛选后从88组研究中共收集到镉污染农田土壤和作物中镉含量对应数据509对。根据镉盐来源,将收集的数据分为污染农田调查数据和添加镉盐试验数据;根据作物不同,分为水稻、小麦、茎/叶类蔬菜、根菜和果菜地调查数据。采用富集系数和一元回归模型的方法基于土壤镉含量预测作物可食部分镉含量;采用多元回归模型的方法基于土壤镉含量和土壤pH预测作物可食部分镉含量。结果表明,回归模型对作物可食部分镉含量的预测效果明显优于富集系数中位值;回归模型95%预测上限对作物可食部分镉含量的保守预测优于富集系数90分位值。土壤pH显著影响作物对镉的吸收。影响模型回归效果和预测能力的主要因素是数据分布不均和数据量不足。模型对比后选用多元回归模型的95%预测上限推导稻田和茎/叶类蔬菜用地基于农产品质量安全的土壤镉含量环境基准。     

珠三角滩涂围垦农田土壤和农作物重金属污染

为了研究珠三角滩涂围垦农田土壤和农作物重金属污染状况,采集了广州南沙、中山一带围垦农田农作物及其根际土壤样品,测定重金属的质量分数。结果表明,围垦农田土壤样品中Cu、Ph、Cd、Ni、Cr和Zn含量均大于广东省相应土壤环境背景值,其中Cu（56．06mg·kg^-1）、Pb（48．30mg·kg^-1）、Cd（0．72mg·kg^-1）、Ni（41．15mg·kg^-1）、Cr（115．1mg·kg^-1）和Zn（200．1mg·kg^-1）分别为背景值的3．30、1．34、12．82、2．26、2．28和4．23倍。与《土壤环境质量标准》（GB15618-1995）中Ⅱ级标准（pH〈6．5）比较,土壤样品中Cu、Cd、Ni和Zn的超标率分别为73．7％、88．6％、59．6％和28．9％。以GB15618-1995中Ⅱ级标准为评价标准,采用Nemerow指数法进行评价,土壤重金属平均综合污染指数为1．86,属3级轻污染。与《食品中污染物限量》（GB2762-2005）等相关标准比较,农作物中Cu、Pb、Cd、Ni、Cr和Zn含量的样品超标率分别为0、28．9％、2．6％、48．3％、12．3％和6．1％。由此可见,珠三角滩涂围垦农田土壤和农作物重金属污染问题已经比较突出,土壤污染以Cd为主,而农作物污染则以Ni、Ph、Cr为主。     

Self-purification of agrosoddy-podzolic sandy loamy soils fertilized with sewage sludge

Sandy loamy agrosoddy-podzolic soils and plants growing on them were studied. The soils had been treated with sewage sludge from the Lyubertsy aeration station applied as organic fertilizer for 5–10 years before 1990. Initially, these soils were used for cultivating vegetables and fodder crops. The content and mobility of heavy metal compounds increased in the plow horizons of studied soils under the influence of sewage sludge. The concentrations of Cd and Zn exceeded the tentative permissible concentrations (TPC) for these elements by 8–16 and 2–4 times, respectively. The contaminated layer was found at the depths within 30–50 cm, which attests to a low migration rate of heavy metals added to the studied soils with sewage sludge (SS) 25 years ago. The concentration of Cd exceeded the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) of this element in all vegetable and fodder crops cultivated on the studied soils. The content of heavy metals in plants differed by three–five times in dependence on the capacity of particular plants to accumulate them. The period of soil self-purification from heavy metals was found to depend on the soil contamination level and element mobility, as well as on the element removal with harvested crops and with soil water flows. The maximal time of achieving the normal level of Cd concentration was estimated as 288 years for maximally contaminated soils; the corresponding values for Cu and Zn were estimated as 74 and 64 years, respectively.     

大冶市农田土壤中镉的空间分布特征及污染评价

矿山开采和冶炼是造成土壤重金属Cd污染的主要原因,了解典型区域土壤中Cd的空间分布特征及其污染现状,可为区域土壤污染防治与安全利用提供重要信息。本研究针对湖北省大冶市所有农田采集92个表层土壤样品和3个土壤剖面,利用GIS方法对土壤重金属Cd空间分布特征及污染状况进行了研究。结果表明大冶市土壤中Cd的含量范围为0.6 ~ 4.6 mg/kg,平均值为1.41 mg/kg,Cd迁移深度可达 40 cm。区域内土壤Cd污染范围较广,空间变异较大,还地桥镇、罗桥街办、陈贵镇等地农田土壤Cd含量较高。地积累指数评价结果显示大冶市大部分农田土壤为轻度、中度污染程度,在合理调整种植结构等方式下仍可保障农田安全利用。     

天津市不同土地利用方式下土壤重金属污染特征及评价

[目的]查明天津市土壤重金属污染的现状及污染源,为防治土壤重金属污染提供理论依据。[方法]选择天津市工业用地、一般农田、水源地、养殖场及蔬菜基地土壤为研究对象,共采集146个样品。通过分析不同土地利用方式下的土壤重金属含量,采用单因子污染指数法和内梅罗综合污染指数法评价重金属污染程度,并对重金属的来源进行解析。[结果]天津市土壤整体污染水平相对较轻,但土壤中均存在不同程度的重金属积累。Pb,Ag和Cd重金属污染面积较大,超标率分别为84.25%,76.71%和68.49%。不同土地利用类型影响到重金属的积累程度和积累类型。在研究区的5种土地利用方式中,蔬菜基地土壤中总重金属的累积程度最高,主要重金属包括Cd,Hg,As,Cr,Cu,Ni,V,Mn,Co和Ag等。工业用地土壤中的Zn污染显著高于其他土地利用方式,而农田土壤和畜禽养殖场土壤中的Pb污染较显著。[结论]天津市土壤污染水平相对较轻。但从土地利用方式来看,工业用地、农田和畜禽养殖场土壤Pb及Zn等污染较重,在土地利用和管理中应该予以关注。     

滩涂围垦区土壤重金属调查及生态风险评价——以盐城市弶港镇为例

以苏北盐城弶港镇滩涂围垦土壤为研究对象,进行了重金属Cr、Pb、As、Cd、Hg的测定及其风险评价,为我国沿海滩涂种植业的发展提供依据,并为其他国家和地区相关研究提供参考。结果表明,该区域土壤中5种重金属含量均未超过《国家土壤环境质量标准》（GB15618—1995）一级标准限制,农田土壤Cr、As、Cd含量较高,郊区菜地土壤Pb、Hg含量较高;重金属Cr、Pb、As、Cd含量在不同土地利用类型间存在显著性差异;Hg含量差异不显著。采用地积累指数法进行评估可知,土壤没有受到单项重金属污染。依据内梅罗综合指数法评估可知,潮间带沉积物、工业区土壤、滩涂围垦熟化的土壤没有受到重金属污染;郊区菜地与农田土壤的污染等级已达到警戒线,污染水平属于＂尚清洁＂。Hakanson潜在生态风险评价结果表明,区域内土壤重金属处于无风险等级,尚不具有潜在生态风险。     

Long-term irrigation with zinc smelter effluent affects important soil properties and heavy metal content in food crops and soil in Rajasthan,India

Use of wastewater for irrigating agricultural crops is on the rise, particularly in the developing countries. The present study was undertaken to assess the long-term effect of irrigation with zinc smelter effluent on important soil properties including heavy metal status. Metal concentration in the edible parts of the crops grown on smelter effluent-irrigated soils was also measured. For this purpose, the agricultural lands which have been receiving the zinc smelter effluent irrigation for about five decades at Debari, Udaipur, India were selected. The adjacent tubewell water-irrigated fields were selected as reference. Long-term irrigation with smelter effluent resulted into significant buildup of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid extractable Zn (57.7 fold), Cu (4.51 fold), Fe (3.35 fold), Mn (1.77 fold), Ni (1.20 fold), Pb (45.1 fold), and Cd (79.2 fold) in soils over tubewell water-irrigated fields. Total Zn, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Cd content in effluent-irrigated soils was also increased by 27.0, 1.60, 1.40, 1.30, 26.2, and 167 fold, respectively. Risk assessment indicated a very high to moderate potential ecological risk due to Cd, Pb, and Zn in soils close to the immediate vicinity of the smelter plant. Cadmium and Pb concentrations in edible parts of almost all the crops grown on effluent-irrigated soils were above the safe limit of CODEX commission. On an average, soil pH dropped by 0.31 units due to smelter effluent irrigation. Smelter effluent irrigation resulted into significant increase in soil organic carbon, electrical conductivity, and CaCO₃ content. On an average, there was decrease in available N (21.0%) and P (20.8%) content in effluent-irrigated soils over the tubewell water-irrigated ones. An increase in available K (102%) and S (26.0 fold) was recorded in effluent-irrigated soils. Long-term irrigation with zinc smelter effluent resulted into reduced microbial activities in soil as evidenced from the level of microbial biomass carbon and dehydrogenase activity. In view of the buildup of heavy metals and subsequent imbalance in essential plant nutrients in smelter effluent-irrigated soils, appropriate remediation-cum-fertilization strategy needs to be adopted for better soil health and plant nutrition.     

Cadmium Sorption and Desorption Characteristics of Tropical Alfisols from Different Land Uses

Cadmium (Cd) sorption and desorption characteristics by Alfisols from different land uses were examined, and the relationships between soil and sorption/desorption characteristics were investigated. Adsorption studies were done using Cd concentrations (0–100 mg Cd kg^?1) in 0.01 M CaCl₂. The Cd sorbed by the soils was then subjected to two desorption runs. The soils' adsorption conformed to Freundlich and Langmuir equations. The amount of Cd sorbed by the soils varied. Two desorption runs detached more than 95% of sorbed Cd, but the first accounted for more than 80% of the total. Desorption of Cd in degraded soils was more than in soils from other land uses. The amount of Cd desorbed correlated with amount applied (r = 0.90??), solution concentration (r = 0.83??), and amount sorbed (r = 0.70??). A positive relationship exists between the adsorption maxima of the soils and soil organic matter (r = 0.13, p = 0.87). The relationship between amount of Cd desorbed and sorbed is quadratic for all the soil.     

Concentration Changes of Cd, Ni and Zn in Sugarcane Cultivated Soils

In the southwest of Iran over 130,000 ha of land are under sugarcane (Saccarum officinarum). In these sugarcane fields, about 400 kg ha^?1 diamonium phosphate (DAP) and 400 kg ha^?1 urea are applied annually. Four sugarcane growing sites were selected for this study: Haft-tapeh, Karoon, Shoeibieh and Ghazali with cultivation histories of 36, 20, 2 and 1 years, respectively. For each area, soil samples (0–30 cm) were taken from a transect of uncultivated, and both furrows and ridges of cultivated land. Electrical conductivity (EC), pH, clay, and calcium carbonate and organic carbon (OC) contents, Cl, Cd, Ni and Zn of 101 soil samples were measured. Cadmium profile distribution to a soil depth of 300 cm was determined, and the heavy metal concentrations in sugarcane and the associated soil samples of the three sugarcane sites were measured. The Cd and Ni contents among the sugarcane sites differed where Cd was related to clay content and Ni was related to OC content of soils. Cadmium content in sugarcane cultivated soil was lower compared to uncultivated soil even after years of application of P fertilizers. Nickel and Cd contents of sugarcane were much higher than levels in top soils but there was no significant relationship between Cd or Ni contents of sugarcane and soil chemical properties. The Zn content of soils decreased as either EC or Cl concentration of soils increased. There were no significant differences in Zn contents between different sugarcane sites and also between cultivated and uncultivated soils. Results also indicated that Cd was accumulated in bagasse and Ni was primarily accumulated in bagasse and molasses, but these heavy metals of white sugar were lower than the detectable values.     

不同栽培方式菜田耕层土壤重金属状况

【目的】评价不同栽培方式(温室、大棚和露地)菜田土壤重金属状况,为菜田土壤质量改善和蔬菜高效安全施肥提供一定的理论依据。【方法】针对我国北方3个区域(东北、黄淮海、西北地区)和南方4个区域(华中、西南、华东、华南地区)主要蔬菜种植区不同栽培方式的典型菜田耕层土壤展开调查,选择的主要菜区不同栽培方式的菜田均为远离城郊的未受到工业“三废”、汽车尾气等污染的农村菜田,取样时间是2013年作物收获后或蔬菜施肥前或生长后期,共采集503个土壤样品,对温室、大棚和露地三种栽培方式下土壤重金属状况进行了研究。【结果】1)采样区设施(温室和大棚)菜田土壤重金属Cu、Zn和Cd总量总体上均高于露地菜田土壤,较露地菜田土壤平均分别高12.2%、21.7%和30.4%。2)随着种菜年限的增加,菜田土壤重金属Cu、Zn和Cd总量呈显著增加的趋势。不同栽培方式菜田土壤中均可能存在几种重金属同时污染的复合污染现象,土壤Cu、Zn、Cd等之间的相关性均达到极显著水平。3)采样区不同栽培方式菜田土壤Cd的二级超标率在19.2%~22.3%之间,温室、大棚和露地菜田土壤Cd的单项污染指数平均分别为0.97、0.98和0.70;土壤Cu、Zn、Pb、Cr、As和Hg的二级超标率在0~14.6%之间,单项污染指数在0.06~0.52之间。【结论】设施菜田N、P2O5和K2O总量及有机肥用量均显著高于露地菜田,可能是造成设施菜田土壤中重金属Cu、Zn和Cd积累显著高于露地菜田的重要原因。采样区设施(温室和大棚)菜田土壤Cd总体上处于污染警戒级状态,露地菜田土壤总体上未受到Cd的污染;设施和露地菜田土壤Cu、Zn、Pb、Cr、As和Hg总体上均未构成对土壤的污染。     

Solubility,sorption and desorption of native and added cadmium in relation to properties of soils in New Zealand

Solution cadmium (Cd) concentrations and sorption and desorption of native and added Cd were studied in a range of New Zealand soils. The concentration of Cd in solution and the concentrations and patterns of native soil Cd desorbed and added Cd sorbed and desorbed varied greatly between the 29 soils studied. Correlation analysis revealed that pH was the most dominant soil variable affecting solution Cd concentration and sorption and desorption of native and added Cd in these soils. However, organic matter, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and total soil Cd were also found to be important. Multiple regression analysis showed that the log concentration of Cd in solution was strongly related to soil pH, organic matter and total Cd, which in combination explained 76% of the variation between soils. When data from the present study were combined into a single multiple regression with soil data from a previously published study, the equation generated could explain 81% of the variation in log Cd solution concentration. This reinforces the importance of pH, organic matter and total Cd in controlling solution Cd concentrations. Simple linear regression analysis could at best explain 53% of the total variation in Cd sorption or desorption for the soils studied. Multiple regression analysis showed that native Cd desorption was related to pH, organic matter and total Cd, which in combination explained 85% of the variation between soils. For sorption of Cd (from 2 μg Cd g^–1 soil added), pH and organic matter in combination explained 75% of the variation between soils. However, for added Cd desorption (%), pH and CEC explained 77%. It is clear that the combined effects of a range of soil properties control the concentration of Cd in solution, and of sorption and desorption of Cd in soils. The fraction of potentially desorbable added Cd in soils could also be predicted from a soil’s K_d value. This could have value for assessing both the mobility of Cd in soil and its likely availability to plants.