The safety study of heavy metal pollution in wheat planted in reclaimed soil of mining areas in Xuzhou, China

This study was conducted to evaluate crops cultivated in reclaimed soils from subsidence areas that had been reclaimed in the Liuxin mining area, Xuzhou, China, to determine if such crops were safe. To accomplish this, heavy metals such as Hg, Pb, Cu, Cd, Cr, Zn and As (metalloid) concentrations in different parts of wheat planted in the research area were detected. The single contamination index method and comprehensive contamination index method were used to estimate the level of heavy metal pollution in rhizosphere soil. Besides, the distribution of heavy metal concentrations in different organs of wheat of the research area was compared, and the enrichment coefficients of Cd and Cr, which as the primary pollutants, in different parts of wheat were determined and used to yield curve estimation, after which a Cd regression equation was constructed. Finally, a kind of visible expression method of heavy metal pollution in wheat was explored. The results showed that the rhizosphere soil of the research area reached the local standard, but as different organs of wheat differed in the ability of enrichment of heavy metals, the Cd and Cr concentrations in wheat grains exceeded the national food hygiene standard. The distribution and migration tendencies of Cd and Cr concentrations in different organs of mature wheat were consistent in reclaimed sites, but differed in control site. The Cd regression equation passed the model verification. The results of risk evaluation of Cd and Cr in the wheat grain revealed that the single contamination index of the three sites reached light to severe level, and the comprehensive contamination index ranged from light to medium pollution level. This research is of important practical value for monitoring the safety of plant grown in mining areas.