HEAVY METALS IN CULTIVATED SOILS AND IN CEREAL CROPS IN ALBERTA

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Abstract
The content of Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Sr, Pb and Zn in several agricultural soils in Alberta Canada was investigated. The abundances of these heavy metals were found to be low and represent levels naturally present in uncontaminated soils. Both pedogenesis and nature of parent material influenced the levels of heavy metals in surface soil horizons. On a local scale, drainage and groundwater effects contributed significantly to heavy metal redistribution in soil. Levels of heavy metals were also determined in seeds and straw of cereal grain crops grown on the soils of this study. Vegetative samples generally contained low amounts of heavy metals nad for some of the physiologically essential elements (Cu, Mn, Zn); amounts in the plant material were at or near deficiency levels. Amounts of Cd, Hg and Pb were generally significantly higher in straw than in respective seed samples.