Evaluation of bioconcentration factors of metals and non-metals in crops and soil from abandoned mines in Korea

Abstract

Hazard evaluation of different heavy metal exposure on the crops cultivated around two abandoned metal mine sites was conducted. Bioconcentration Factor (BCF) of nine heavy metals including Cu, Cd, Hg, As, Cr, Zn, Pb, Mn, and Al in the samples of brown rice cultivated at exposed soil were measured. Soil-plant BCF was measured and compared with Korean and US EPA standards. BCF values of analyzed heavy metals except Hg and As were below the limits. BCF of Hg was over 5 times higher than the standard limit. Excess cancer risk (ECR) and hazard quotient (HQ) values of As was higher than the limit and suggested to have carcinogenic as well as non-carcinogenic threat to the public exposed to the sites. The data presented could be utilized in prioritizing abandoned metal mine sites for health effect survey.