Abstract
Eighty four soil samples collected from southeastern Norway were analyzed for Cd by extraction with NH4OAc, DTPA, NH4OAc-EDTA, NH4NO3, HCl and CaCl2. The total Cd, pH, exchangeable K and Ca, dithionite-extractable Mn, available P and fine sand (0.2–0.02 mm) contents were the principal factors related to the extractable Cd, with some inter-extractant variations. Cadmium extracted by NH4NO3, NH4OAc, HCl and CaCl2 decreased with increasing soil pH, but the Cd extracted by all the extractants increased with increasing total Cd, exchangeable K and Ca, available P, and Mn-oxide contents in the soils. The Cd concentrations in plants were significantly related to the extractable Cd, exchangeable Ca and Mg, pH, Mn-oxides and organic matter content.