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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Ithaca, New York » Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture & Health » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #138891
Title: SOIL FACTORS INFLUENCING CADMIUM AVAILABILITY

Author
item Norvell, Wendell
item GARRETT, R - GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CANADA

Submitted to: Proceedings of the Cadmium Research Network Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/19/2001
Publication Date: 6/19/2001
Citation: NORVELL, W.A., GARRETT, R.G. SOIL FACTORS INFLUENCING CADMIUM AVAILABILITY. PROCEEDINGS OF THE CADMIUM RESEARCH NETWORK CONFERENCE. 2001. p. 1-11.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Cadmium is a potentially toxic metal that is present throughout the environment. Soils are the main source of Cd found in plants, including food crops. The level of Cd in crops continues to be an issue because of concerns that Cd might accumulate to harmful levels in consumers. Several national and international agencies set guidelines and limits for Cd in foods or food crops.Certain levels considered as limits (0.6 mg kg-1 in sunflower seeds, 0.3 mg kg-1 in flax, 0.1 mg kg-1 in wheat) are low enough to impede the acceptability of some seeds and grains in international trade. Concerns over Cd in food crops makes in imperative that we understand factors that contribute to Cd uptake by crops, and develop management strategies to limit cadmium accumulation to concentrations below levels of realistic concern. Managing the levels of Cd in crops requires an understanding of the availability of soil cadmium and its sources. Available (phytoavailable) cadmium is that portion of total soil cadmium that is available or potentially available for uptake by a plant. Thus, availability is an operationally defined quantity that may differ with crops of interest, soil characteristics, management, time, environment, etc. Soil factors that increase the soluble and easily extractable forms of Cd are generally recognized as increasing Cd availability. The main soil factors that appear to influence Cd availability are the total amount of Cd, the nature of the soil solid phases that bind Cd (e.g., clays, organic matter, carbonates), the soil pH, and the concentration of chloride and, perhaps, sulfate.