抄録
In the UK, information has been collected about the harmful element Cd in soils and crops. This is useful for the targeting of control measures, and as input data into legislation on Cd in soil and foodstuffs.
Most rocks and soils contain low concentrations of Cd, apart from those developed on black shales and those associated with mineralised deposits. Anthropogenic sources of Cd can be significant, including the use of phosphatic fertilisers, and atmospheric deposition. Until recently, deposition of Cd from the atmosphere was estimated to be 3 g /ha/yr. Other important local sources of cadmium include the application of sewage sludge, and metalliferous mining and smelting of zinc and sulphide ores.
The effect of these exposures, and interactions with Zn on the Cd concentration in wheat will be discussed and how to decrease Cd concentrations, thus enabling crops to be grown that conform with the Food Regulations. Models for crop uptake and phytoremediation have been constructed. Other mitigation measures, including adding materials to soil which bind Cd to remediate strongly polluted land and the feasibility of phytoremediation will be discussed.
