Cadmium, lead and zinc accumulation in soils near a smelter complex

Concentrations of nitric acid extractable Cd, Pb and Zn in surface soils, predominated by partially decomposed litter, from 15 sites within 9.7 km of the lead-zinc smelter complex at Trail, British Columbia, Canada, attained 36.1, 12123, and 1394 ppm but averaged 17.8, 2607, and 571 ppm, respectively. Although underlying mineral soils contained smaller concentrations of all three metals, the relative immobility of Pb and mobility of Zn were observed. A close association between Cd and Zn concentrations was reflected by significant correlations but variation of Pb concentration in surface soils was independent from concentrations of the other metals.