Accumulation Characteristics of Heavy Metals in Greenhouse Soil and Vegetables in Siping City, Jilin Province

Abstract

Based on the typical greenhouse vegetable production system in Siping City, Jilin Province, 124 soil samples were collected from greenhouse soils growing vegetables (GSGV), fields growing maize (FGM), and forest soil (FS) under different land utilization patterns. In addition, other samples including greenhouse vegetables (81), fertilizers (50), and irrigation water (10) were also collected in the studied region. To illustrate the accumulation characteristics of heavy metals in GSGV and greenhouse vegetables, the heavy metal content of different samples was measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) technology. The results indicated that the heavy metal content in GSGV was much higher than that in FGM and FS except for lead (Pb). Heavy metals including cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) in GSGV presented with various degrees of accumulation. The mean value of Cd content in the soils in the investigation region was 0.45 mg·kg-1, with about 42.8% of all the soil samples exceeding the Cd content criterion of the Environmental Quality Evaluation Standard for Farmland in Greenhouse Vegetable Production (HJ 333-2006). The content of the other heavy metals was in the normal range, and all met the regulations of the standard. In comparison with different vegetable categories, leafy vegetables showed much higher heavy metal concentrations (Cd 0.033 mg·kg-1 fresh weight) than did fruity ones. In total, about 2.5% and 1.2% of vegetable samples exceeded the regulated values of Cd and Pb recommended by the Standard of Food limits, respectively. With the cultivation time prolonged, heavy metal concentration in soils and vegetables all increased synchronously as the pH value decreased. The content of heavy metals in greenhouse vegetables was significantly influenced by soil pH and organic matter. It can be concluded that the health risk of greenhouse vegetables increased with GSGV accumulating more heavy metals due to the substantial application of chemical fertilizer and manure containing high level of heavy metals.