Heavy Metal Contamination and Accumulation in Soil and Plant Species from the Xinqiao Copper Deposit, Anhui Province, China

Abstract

The distribution and accumulation of heavy metals in soil and various plants were investigated in Xinqiao, the location of one of the largest copper deposits in China. The concentrations of cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc were determined by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP–MS), and the results suggest that the soil was contaminated by mining activities. Plants grown around the study area accumulated these metals at various concentrations. The concentrations of metals in the plants indicated that the accumulation levels were not consistent with the relative concentrations in the corresponding soils. Almost all plants primarily accumulated heavy metals in above-ground tissues, especially Commelina communis. High biological transfer coefficients for Buddleja davidii, Rumex acetosa, Debregeasia edulis, Commelina communis, and Rosacfolius smith for some metals indicate accumulation in stems and leaves and identify these plants as hyperaccumulators.