Trace elements in vegetables grown on soils contaminated by base metal mining

Abstract

Mining for lead and other base metals in England and Wales has left a legacy of heavy metal contamination of apparently productive fields and gardens in areas of prosperous and expanding towns. To assess whether vegetables grown on these soils absorb excessive quantities of heavy metals small experimental plots were established in northeast Wales and Derbyshire. Roots and aerial parts of lettuce, onion, carrots and Brussels sprouts were analysed for Pb, Zn, Cu and Cd. Pb tended to be retained in the roots but other metals were more mobile and cadmium accumulated in lettuce and carrot leaves. The Cd and Pb contents of edible parts constitute a possible risk to public health.