Heavy Metals in Freshly Deposited Stream Sediments of Rivers Associated with Urbanisation of the Ganga Plain,India

Freshly deposited stream sediments from six urban centres of the Ganga Plain were collected and analysed for heavy metals to obtain a general scenery of sediment quality. The concentrations of heavy metals varied within a wide range for Cr (115–817), Mn (440–1 750), Fe (28 700–61 100), Co (11.7–29.0), Ni (35–538), Cu (33–1 204), Zn (90–1 974), Pb (14–856) and Cd (0.14–114.8) in mg kg^-1. Metal enrichment factors for the stream sediments were <1.5 for Mn, Fe and Co; 1.5–4.1 for Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb; and 34 for Cd. The anthropogenic source in metals concentrations contributes to 59% Cr, 49% Cu, 52% Zn, 51% Pb and 77% Cd. High positive correlation between concentrations of Cr/Ni, Cr/Cu, Cr/Zn, Ni/Zn, Ni/Cu, Cu/Zn, Cu/Cd, Cu/Pb, Fe/Co, Mn/Co, Zn/Cd, Zn/Pb and Cd/Pb indicate either their common urban origin or their common sink in the stream sediments. The binding capacity of selected metals to sediment carbon and sulphur decreases in order of Zn > Cu > Cr > Ni and Cu > Zn > Cr > Ni, respectively. Stream sediments from Lucknow, Kanpur, Delhi and Agra urban centres have been classified by the proposed Sediment Pollution Index as highly polluted to dangerous sediments. Heavy metal analysis in the <20-μm-fraction of stream sediments appears to be an adequate method for the environmental assessment of urbanisation activities on alluvial rivers. The present study reveals that urban centres act as sources of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd and cause metallic sediment pollution in rivers of the Ganga Plain.     

Modelling trace metal extractability and solubility in French forest soils by using soil properties

Soil/solution partitioning of trace metals (TM: Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Sb, Pb and Zn) has been investigated in six French forest sites that have been subjected to TM atmospheric inputs. Soil profiles have been sampled and analysed for major soil properties, and CaCl₂‐extractable and total metal content. Metal concentrations (expressed on a molar basis) in soil (total), in CaCl₂ extracts and soil solution collected monthly from fresh soil by centrifugation, were in the order: Cr > Zn > Ni > Cu > Pb > Co > Sb > Cd , Zn > Cu > Pb = Ni > Co > Cd > Cr and Zn > Ni > Cu > Pb > Co > Cr > Cd > Sb , respectively. Metal extractability and solubility were predicted by using soil properties. Soil pH was the most significant property in predicting metal partitioning, but TM behaviour differed between acid and non‐acid soils. TM extractability was predicted significantly by soil pH for pH < 6, and by soil pH and Fe content for all soil conditions. Total metal concentration in soil solution was predicted well by soil pH and organic carbon content for Cd, Co, Cr, Ni and Zn, by Fe content for Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb and Sb and total soil metal content for Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb and Sb, with a better prediction for acidic conditions (pH < 6). At more alkaline pH conditions, solute concentrations of Cu, Cr, Sb and Pb were larger than predicted by the pH relationship, as a consequence of association with Fe colloids and complexing with dissolved organic carbon. Metal speciation in soil solutions determined by WHAM‐VI indicated that free metal ion (FMI) concentration was significantly related to soil pH for all pH conditions. The FMI concentrations of Cu and Zn were well predicted by pH alone, Pb by pH and Fe content and Cd, Co and Ni by soil pH and organic carbon content. Differences between soluble total metal and FMI concentrations were particularly large for pH < 6. This should be taken into account for risk and critical load assessment in the case of terrestrial ecosystems.     

泉州市324国道泉州至塘头段路旁土壤中重金属来源分析

分析了泉州市324国道泉州至塘头段路旁土壤中14种重金属元素Sc、V、Fe、Mn、Co、Ni、Cu、Zn、As、Cd、Sn、Sb、Pb、Bi的含量,用富集因子和多元统计分析方法探讨了重金属的污染特征和可能来源。结果表明,Pb、Sn、Sb、Cd、Ni、Zn、Sc、Cu和Bi的含量均超过泉州市土壤背景值,污染较严重;Ni、Sb、Sn的高富集系数说明其受人类活动影响较大。相关分析和因子分析结果显示,上述14种元素主要有3个来源:Sn、Sb、Pb、Bi、Ni、Cu、Zn、Cd主要来源于交通污染;As、Sc、Fe来源于人类工业活动;而Co、Mn、V主要来源于土壤母质。聚类分析的结果也验证了因子分析的结果。     

滇池内湖滨带重金属污染及其生态风险评价

水体沉积物是重金属元素的重要载体,其含量高低能反映水环境质量现状。采集滇池内湖滨带沉积物样品,分析了滇池内湖滨带表层沉积物中Pb、Cd、Cu、Zn、Cr、Ni、Fe、Mn 8种重金属元素含量特征,并用Hakanson潜在生态危害指数法评价其生态危害,旨在为合理预防和治理滇池内湖滨带的重金属污染以及内湖滨带生态系统的修复提供基础资料。结果表明,与“全国土壤环境质量标准”对比,表层沉积物中主要是Cd、Cu、Zn超标,重金属污染强度总体上是草海＞外海。不同重金属间的相关性分析结果表明,Cu-Cd之间呈极显著相关,说明这两种元素污染源可能相同,几种污染重金属与胶体矿物元素Fe、Mn间的相关性不大,说明在所调查沉积物中,Fe/Mn氧化物或氢氧化物共沉淀或吸附Pb、Cd、Cu、Zn、Cr、Ni元素量较少。由潜在生态风险评价结果可知,滇池内湖滨带表层沉积物已具极强生态危害,各重金属对滇池内湖滨带生态风险影响程度由高到低依次为：Cd〉Cu〉Pb〉Ni〉Zn≈Cr。     

新乡市大棚菜田土壤重金属积累特征及污染评价

采用微波消解-ICP-AES技术,测定不同种植年限大棚菜田土壤样品中As、Pb、Zn、Cd、Cr、Mn、Ni、Cu等重金属的含量,研究不同种植年限与大棚菜田土壤重金属累积的相关性以及大棚菜田土壤重金属累积特征,并利用地积累指数法进行污染评价。结果表明:大棚菜田土壤重金属Zn、Pb、Ni、Mn和Cu的含量与种植年限具有极显著相关性;大棚菜田土壤中重金属Cd和Cr的含量与种植年限不相关。重金属元素间相关性分析表明,Zn与Pb、Cd、Ni、Mn、Cr、Cu,Pb与Cd、Ni、Mn、Cr、Cu,Cd与Ni、Mn、Cr,Ni与Mn、Cr、Cu,Mn与Cr、Cu具有污染同源性,Cu与Cd、Cr不具有污染同源性。地积累指数法污染评价结果显示Cd的污染等级达到了6级,已构成了极严重污染;Zn和Cu的污染等级达到2级,已构成了中度污染;Pb、Mn的污染等级达到1级,已经构成了轻~中度污染;As、Ni、Cr均未构成污染。     

新疆奎屯垦区土壤重金属风险评价

采用网格法采样,对新疆奎屯垦区3个团场土壤中As、Pb、Cu、Cd、Cr和Ni含量进行了测定,系统分析了该地区土壤重金属的含量水平、潜在生态风险程度、主要污染因子和污染来源。结果表明:奎屯垦区土壤重金属As、Pb、Cd、Cu、Cr、Ni的平均值分别为20.21 mg kg-1、35.91 mg kg-1、0.40 mg kg-1、27.18 mg kg-1、77.02 mg kg-1、39.31 mg kg-1,均没有超过国家土壤环境质量二级标准,但As、Cd有个别样点超标。各元素平均含量值均超过新疆土壤背景值,其中Cd、As、Pb最为显著,呈现出累积趋势。各重金属潜在生态风险由高至低顺序为Cd>As>Pb>Ni>Cu>Cr,其中Cd为主要潜在生态风险因子。进一步相关分析和因子分析结果显示,各元素的来源可分为两类,Cd、Pb和As为一类,来源主要受各种人为活动影响,Cu、Cr、Ni为一类,来源主要与成土母质有关。     

广州市流花湖沉积物重金属污染特征及潜在生态风险评估

近年来重金属污染日益加重,对人类及水生态系统健康产生较大危害。本研究选择广州市典型城市湖泊——流花湖,利用地累积指数(Igeo)、潜在生态风险指数(RI)对沉积物中12种重金属的污染水平、垂向分布特征及其潜在生态风险进行评价,并通过多元统计分析对金属元素的来源进行解析。结果表明:①湖泊沉积物重金属含量(Mn、V除外)均显著高于区域土壤背景值,自下而上呈现先增加后减少的趋势;②地累积指数评价结果显示Cd、Zn、Sb、Cu、Pb和As这6种重金属污染较严重,其中Cd偏重度污染的状态(Igeo=3.89);③不同重金属元素污染水平有较大差异,Cd、Cu、Zn、Sb、Pb、As、Ni、Cr、Tl、Co的单个重金属污染指数(Cif)均为中等污染水平以上,而生态风险系数(Eif)表现为Cd(Eif=818.6)极严重等级,Sb(Eif=82.64)重度风险等级,其他10种重金属Eif均为轻度风险等级;④该湖RI指数变化幅度剧烈(105.85相似文献   

Effects of Perchlorate Stress on Growth and Physiological Characteristics of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Seedlings

The main objective of the present study is to measure the levels of heavy metals in important fruit species such as apple, apricot, and nectarine and their nine, five, and six cultivars, respectively. This work investigates the accumulation of Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cd, Pb, and Cr in flowers of above species, to measure the levels of heavy metal contamination. The obtained results revealed that amounts of heavy metals significantly varied among cultivars at the same species and were within the permissible amounts in general. The Cd was not detected in apricot, nectarine, and the most of apple cultivars. Results for floral Fe, and also for Cu and Zn, which are the most important micronutrients for fruit production, suggest that levels of these elements might be used for assessing the storage of these elements during the previous season. We assume that the production of apple, apricot, and nectarine is safe, and there is no risk of contamination with heavy metals.     

Relationships of Heavy Metals in Natural Lake Waters with Physico-chemical Characteristics of Waters and Different Chemical Fractions of Metals in Sediments

The relationships between heavy metal concentrations and physico-chemical properties of natural lake waters and also with chemical fractions of these metals in lake sediments were investigated in seven natural lakes of Kumaun region of Uttarakhand Province of India during 2003–2004 and 2004–2005. The concentrations of Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb in waters of different lakes ranged from 0.29–2.39, 10.3–38.3, 431–1407, 1.0–6.6, 5.3–12.1, 12.6–166.3, 0.7–2.7 and 3.9–27.1 μg l^?1 and in sediments 14.3–21.5, 90.1–197.5, 5,265–6,428, 17.7–45.9, 13.4–32.0, 40.0–149.2, 11.1–14.6 and 88.9–167.4 μg g^?1, respectively. The concentrations of all metals except Fe in waters were found well below the notified toxic limits. The concentrations of Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were positively correlated with pH, electrical conductivity, biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand and alkalinity of waters, but negatively correlated with dissolved oxygen. The concentrations of Cr, Ni, Zn, Cd and Pb in waters were positively correlated with water soluble + exchangeable fraction of these metals in lake sediments. The concentrations of Zn, Cd and Pb in waters were positively correlated with carbonate bound fraction of these metals in lake sediments. Except for Ni, Zn and Cd, the concentrations of rest of the heavy metals in waters were positively correlated with organically bound fraction of these metals in lake sediments. The concentrations of Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu and Zn in waters were positively correlated with reducible fraction of these metals in lake sediments. Except for Cd, the concentrations of rest of the metals in waters were positively correlated with residual fraction and total content of these heavy metals in lake sediments.     

土壤可见光-近红外反射光谱与重金属含量之间的相关性

发展基于反射光谱技术的快速、简便、低成本的土壤重金属信息提取方法是区域土壤重金属污染治理所需要的。选择江西贵溪铜冶炼厂污染区,分析了9种重金属元素(Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd、Co、Ni、Fe、Mn及Cr)与土壤可见光-近红外反射光谱之间的相关性及其相关的原因。研究表明,研究区土壤中存在Cu(含量介于66.71~387 mg kg-1之间)和Cd(含量介于0.36~6.019 mg kg-1之间)的强烈富集。土壤重金属含量与反射光谱之间存在显著相关,污染元素Cu的最高相关系数为-0.87,Pb、Zn、Co、Ni、Fe的最高相关系数达到高度相关(|r|>0.80),Cr、Cd、Mn的最高相关系数达到显著相关(|r|>0.70)。微分光谱适于获取土壤中的重金属元素信息,利用组合波段能显著提高相关性。Cu与反射光谱之间的相关性主要受有机质的影响;Pb、Zn、Co、Ni主要受黏土矿物和铁锰氧化物的影响;Cr与反射光谱之间的相关性同时受有机质和黏土矿物的影响。     

酸雨地区蔬菜对重金属的吸收及重金属健康风险基准的估算

通过盆栽实验,以小白菜(上海青)、大白菜和萝卜为指示作物,研究了酸雨作用下Cu,Zn,Pb,Cd,Cr和Ni复合污染物在土壤-作物系统中的吸收与富集情况。结果表明,酸雨-重金属复合污染处理使Cu,Pb,Cr和Ni在蔬菜中积累量明显高于对照处理;Zn和Cd一般只有在复合污染处理中外源Zn或Cd含量较高时才明显高于对照处理。与对照相比,酸雨-重金属复合污染处理使Pb和Ni的富集系数增大,Cu的富集系数多数情况下增大,Cd的富集系数多数情况下减小,Zn和Cr富集系数的变化在不同蔬菜之间存在较明显的差异;重金属在不同蔬菜中的富集系数一般表现为萝卜>上海青>大白菜,蔬菜中不同重金属富集系数一般表现为Zn>Cd>Ni>Cu>Pb>Cr。酸雨-重金属复合污染条件下蔬菜中重金属积累量与其在土壤中总量之间的相关性均达到显著或极显著水平。以大宗蔬菜上海青、大白菜和萝卜为指示作物对酸雨地区蔬菜地中重金属的健康风险基准进行了估算,这对开展酸雨地区土壤重金属环境容量评价、重金属污染修复目标及地方性土壤环境质量标准的制订提供了参考依据。     

Spatial distribution of soil heavy metal concentrations as indicator of pollution sources at Mount Križna (Great Fatra,central Slovakia)

The objective of this study was to test the suitability of a simple approach to identify the direction from where airborne heavy metals reach the study area as indication of their sources. We examined the distribution of heavy metals in soil profiles and along differently exposed transects. Samples were taken from 10 soils derived from the same parent material along N-, S-, and SE-exposed transects at 0—10, 10—20, and 20—40 cm depth and analyzed for total Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentrations. The heavy metal concentrations at 0—10 cm were larger than background concentrations in German arable soils except for Cr (Cd: 0.6—1.8 mg kg^—1; Cr: 39—67; Cu: 40—77; Ni: 87—156; Pb: 48—94; Zn: 71—129; Fe: 26—34 g kg^—1; Mn: 1.1—2.4). Decreasing Cd, Cu, Mn, and Pb concentrations with increasing soil depth pointed at atmospheric inputs. Aluminum and Ni concentrations increased with soil depth. Those of Fe, Cr, and Zn did not change with depth indicating that inputs at most equalled leaching losses. The Pb accumulation in the surface layer (i.e. the ratio between the Pb concentrations at 0—10 to those at 20—40 cm depth) was most pronounced at N-exposed sites; Pb obviously reached Mount Križna mainly by long-range transport from N where several industrial agglomerations are located. Substantial Cd, Cu, and Mn accumulations at the S- and SE-exposed sites indicated local sources such as mining near to the study area which probably are also the reason for slight Cr and Zn accumulations in the SE-exposed soils. Based on a principal component analysis of the total concentrations in the topsoils four metal groups may be distinguished: 1. Cr, Ni, Zn; 2. Mn, Cd; 3. Pb (positive loading), Cu (negative loading); 4. Al, Fe, indicating common sources and distribution patterns. The results demonstrate that the spatial distribution of soil heavy metal concentrations can be used as indication of the location of pollution sources.     

金乡县大蒜产区土壤重金属特征及潜在生态风险评价

应用地积累指数、潜在生态风险指数、健康风险指数法和因子分析法对金乡县典型大蒜产区土壤重金属(As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb和Zn)特征、污染源头及其潜在生态风险进行了评价分析.结果 表明:该县大蒜产区土壤重金属As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb和Zn的平均含量分别为16.27、0.18、63.05、32...     

上海城市中心区不同类型绿地土壤重金属污染特征

对上海城市中心城区公园绿地土壤和道路绿地土壤中Pb、Cu、Zn、Cr、Cd和Ni的污染特征进行了研究,发现除Cr和Ni外,土壤中重金属均出现富集现象,且公园绿地土壤中重金属含量普遍低于道路绿地土壤;土壤重金属污染潜在生态风险评价结果表明6种重金属中,Cd污染最严重,其潜在生态危害系数最高,总体上公园绿地土壤重金属污染潜...     

杭州市城市土壤中重金属、磷和其它元素的特征

Health implications of inhaling and/or ingesting dust particles with high concentrations of heavy metals from urban soils are a subject of intense concern. Understanding the geochemistry of these metals is key to their effective management. Total concentrations of heavy metals, phosphorus (P) and 8 other elements from topsoil samples collected at 82 locations in Hangzhou City were measured to: a) assess their distribution in urban environments; and b) understand their differentiation as related to land use. Metal mobility was also studied using a three-step sequential chemical fractionation procedure. About 8.5%, 1.2%, 3.6%, 11.0% and 30.3% of the soil samples had Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn concentrations, respectively, above their allowable limits for public and private green areas and residential use. However, in commercial and industrial areas, most samples had metal concentrations below their allowable limits. Statistical analyses revealed that the 16 measured elements in urban soils could be divided into four groups based on natural or anthropic sources using a hierarchical cluster analysis. Additionally, Cu, Pb, and P showed similar spatial distributions with significant pollution in commercial zones, suggesting vehicle traffic or commercial activities as dominant pollutant sources. Also, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, Zn, Mn and Fe had the highest concentrations in industrial locations, signifying that industrial activities were the main sources of these seven metals. Moreover, the data highlighted land-use as a major influence on heavy metal concentrations and forms found in topsoils with large proportions of soil Cd, Co, Cr, and Ni found in residual fractions and soil Cu, Pb and Zn mainly as extractable fractions.     

贵阳市城区土壤重金属分布特征及污染评价

调查了贵阳市不同功能区表层土壤中重金属含量及其分布特征,以基线为参比值,采用Hakanson潜在生态危害指数法对重金属的潜在生态风险进行了评价。结果表明,贵阳市城区土壤重金属(Hg、Cd、As、Pb、Cr、Cu、Ni、Zn)主要来源于工业、交通以及燃煤等活动,其平均含量分别为0.108、0.320、20.53、22.17、35.71、64.87、48.65、217.90mg/kg,除Cr外,均显著高于相应基线。工矿区土壤中Pb、Zn含量显著高于其他功能区(p0.05)。Hg和Cd是主要的生态危害因子,其污染已达强生态危害水平,其余均显示为轻微生态危害水平;不同功能区土壤重金属污染均已达强生态危害水平,且污染程度依次是:商务区工矿区文教区居民区城市绿地交通区。     

The transfer of heavy metals to barley plants from soils amended with sewage sludge with different heavy metal burdens

Purpose

Our main aim objective was to evaluate the transfer of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn to barley (Hordeum vulgare) grown in various soils previously amended with two sewage sludges containing different concentrations of heavy metals. This allowed us to examine the transfer of heavv metals to barley roots and shoots and the occurrence of restriction mechanisms as function of soil type and for different heavy metal concentration scenarios.

Material and methods

A greenhouse experiment was performed to evaluate the transfer of heavy metals to barley grown in 36 agricultural soils from different parts of Spain previously amended with a single dose (equivalent to 50 t dry weight ha^?1) of two sewage sludges with contrasting levels of heavy metals (common and spiked sludge: CS and SS).

Results and discussion

In soils amended with CS, heavy metals were transferred to roots in the order (mean values of the bio-concentration ratio in roots, BCF_Roots, in brackets): Cu (2.4)?~?Ni (2.3)?>?Cd (2.1)?>?Zn (1.8)?>?Cr (0.7)?~?Pb (0.6); similar values were found for the soils amended with SS. The mean values of the soil-to-shoot ratio were: Cd (0.44)?~?Zn (0.39)?~?Cu (0.39)?>?Cr (0.20)?>?Ni (0.09)?>?Pb (0.01) for CS-amended soils; Zn (0.24)?>?Cu (0.15)?~?Cd (0.14)?>?Ni (0.05)?~?Cr (0.03)?>?Pb (0.006) for SS-amended soils. Heavy metals were transferred from roots to shoots in the following order (mean values of the ratio concentration of heavy metals in shoots to roots in brackets): Cr (0.33)?>?Zn (0.24)?~?Cd (0.22)?>?Cu (0.19)?>?Ni (0.04)?>?Pb (0.02) for CS-amended soils; Zn (0.14)?>?Cd (0.09)?~?Cu (0.08)?>?Cr (0.05)?>?Ni (0.02)?~?Pb (0.010) for SS-amended soils.

Conclusions

Soils weakly restricted the mobility of heavy metals to roots, plant physiology restricted the transfer of heavy metals from roots to shoots, observing further restriction at high heavy metal loadings, and the transfer of Cd, Cu and Zn from soils to shoots was greater than for Cr, Ni and Pb. Stepwise multiple linear regressions revealed that soils with high sand content allowed greater soil-plant transfer of Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn. For Cd and Ni, soils with low pH and soil organic C, respectively, posed the highest risk.     

Heavy Metals, Phosphorus and Some Other Elements in UrbanSoils of Hangzhou City, China

Health implications of inhaling and/or ingesting dust particles with high concentrations of heavy metals from urbansoils are a subject of intense concern. Understanding the geochemistry of these metals is key to their effective management. Total concentrations of heavy metals, phosphorus (P) and 8 other elements from topsoil samples collected at 82locations in Hangzhou City were measured to:a) assess their distribution in urban environments;and b) understand theirdifferentiation as related to land use. Metal mobility was also studied using a three-step sequential chemical fractionationprocedure. About 8.5%, 1.2%, 3.6%, 11.0% and 30.3% of the soil samples had Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn concentrations,respectively, above their allowable limits for public and private green areas and residential use. However, in commercialand industrial areas, most samples had metal concentrations below their allowable limits. Statistical analyses revealedthat the 16 measured elements in urban soils could be divided into four groups based on natural or anthropic sourcesusing a hierarchical cluster analysis. Additionally, Cu, Pb, and P showed similar spatial distributions with significantpollution in commercial zones, suggesting vehicle traffic or commercial activities as dominant pollutant sources. Also, Cd,Co, Cr, Ni, Zn, Mn and Fe had the highest concentrations in industrial locations, signifying that industrial activities werethe main sources of these seven metals. Moreover, the data highlighted land-use as a major influence on heavy metalconcentrations and forms found in topsoils with large proportions of soil Cd, Co, Cr, and Ni found in residual fractionsand soil Cu, Pb and Zn mainly as extractable fractions.     

Background Contents of Heavy Metals in Soils and Bottom Sediments in the North of Western Siberia

Eurasian Soil Science - Background concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Ni, Co, Fe, Mn, Cr, Pb, Hg, Cd, Ba, Sr, and Sc) in soils and bottom sediments were determined for the background and...     

Heavy‐Metal Contamination of Soil and Vegetables in Wastewater‐Irrigated Agricultural Soil in a Suburban Area of Hanoi,Vietnam

The To Lich and Kim Nguu Rivers, laden with untreated waste from industrial sources, serve as sources of water for irrigating vegetable farms. The purposes of this study were to identify the impact of wastewater irrigation on the level of heavy metals in the soils and vegetables and to predict their potential mobility and bioavailability. Soil samples were collected from different distances from the canal. The average concentrations of the heavy metals in the soil were in the order zinc (Zn; 204 mg kg^?1) > copper (Cu; 196 mg kg^?1) > chromium (Cr; 175 mg kg^?1) > lead (Pb; 131 mg kg^?1) > nickel (Ni; 60 mg kg^?1) > cadmium (Cd; 4 mg kg^?1). The concentrations of all heavy metals in the study site were much greater than the background level in that area and exceeded the permissible levels of the Vietnamese standards for Cd, Cu, and Pb. The concentrations of Zn, Ni, and Pb in the surface soil decreased with distance from the canal. The results of selective sequential extraction indicated that dominant fractions were oxide, organic, and residual for Ni, Pb, and Zn; organic and oxide for Cr; oxide for Cd; and organic for Cu. Leaching tests for water and acid indicated that the ratio of leached metal concentration to total metal concentration in the soil decreased in the order of Cd > Ni > Cr > Pb > Cu > Zn and in the order of Cd > Ni > Cr > Zn > Cu > Pb for the ethylenediaminetetraaceitc acid (EDTA) treatment. The EDTA treatment gave greater leachability than other treatments for most metal types. By leaching with water and acid, all heavy metals were fully released from the exchangeable fraction, and some heavy metals were fully released from carbonate and oxide fractions. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the vegetables exceeded the Vietnamese standards. The transfer coefficients for the metals were in the order of Zn > Ni > Cu > Cd = Cr > Pb.