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Contaminant trends in soils and crops
1Institute of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK.
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Soils in industrialized nations are contaminated by atmospheric deposition of heavy metals and organic pollutants. Despite increased soil contamination, crop levels have not risen due to plant uptake inefficiencies and improved air quality.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Soil Science
- Ecotoxicology
Background:
- Long-term atmospheric deposition has led to widespread soil contamination in industrialized countries.
- Key contaminants include heavy metals (e.g., lead, cadmium) and trace organic pollutants (e.g., PAHs, PCBs).
- Soil acidification is a significant regional issue linked to atmospheric inputs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence on long-term changes in soil and crop contaminant levels.
- To assess the impact of atmospheric deposition on soil and crop contamination.
- To evaluate changes in soil pH due to atmospheric inputs.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing scientific literature and data on soil and crop contaminant levels.
- Analysis of historical trends in atmospheric deposition and its effects.
- Assessment of soil pH changes over the 20th century.
Main Results:
- Soils in industrialized nations show elevated levels of lead, cadmium, PAHs, PCBs, and dioxins/furans due to aerial deposition.
- Lead burden in UK surface soils has approximately doubled over centuries.
- Little evidence of increased contaminant levels in UK crops; some contaminants may have decreased due to improved air quality and limited plant uptake.
Conclusions:
- Atmospheric deposition is a primary driver of soil contamination in industrialized countries.
- Despite increased soil contamination, crop contaminant levels have not consistently risen.
- Atmospheric inputs have accelerated soil acidification in regions like Scandinavia.