Abstract
The accumulation of cadmium (Cd) on agricultural lands and the resultant contamination of the food chain are challenging problems for the agricultural sector in Australia. This paper describes a method to estimate spatial accumulation of Cd on agricultural land, to support policy developments that ensure acceptable limits are not exceeded. This method integrates material flux analysis and geographic information system models. It is demonstrated through application to Cd management within the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (MIA). The results of this study include spatially estimated net Cd balance in MIA soils over the 10 years 1992–2000. Combined with initial estimates of spatial Cd contamination in 1992, this permits estimation of soil Cd concentration in the MIA in 2002. The areas that have high soil Cd concentration have seen increases in Cd levels of 1.5–1.6 times of Cd concentration in 1992. The results are used to evaluate the trend of Cd exceeding an acceptable limit on a spatial basis, and development of an effective policy and limit to control Cd input to soil.
Published Version
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