[Pollution of agricultural soils by a wastewater outflow from a metal smelter in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region].

Pollution characteristics of heavy metals in the farmland soil nearby a metal smelter were studied. Soil samples were collected and the contents of elements V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Mo, Cd, Sn, Sb, Pb, U and As in the bulk samples of soil profiles were measured, with the objectives to identify the pollution status and pollution characteristics of the farmland soil that were suffered from smelter effluents flooding, an acute pollution accident. The results indicate that the concentrations of heavy metals Zn, Mn, As, Pb, Cd,Sb in the soil were 113.28-212.22, 251.67-2 429.29, 34.44-130.28, 50.63-544.74, 63.44-317.33, 39.41-551.17 mg/kg, respectively, higher than the background level. These polluted soils not only have high concentrations of As, but also of the Zn, Mn, Pb, Cd and Sb. According to correlation analysis, pollution level is closely with local nonferrous metal exploitation, and principal pollutants have the same source. Some trace metals, such as Zn, Cr, Cd, show increasing concentration first and then decreasing trend in the soil profile. Soil acidification appears in the topsoil. This study has characterized the metal pollution in soils flooded by sudden smelting effluents spilling, and provided a theory base for pollution treatment.