Publication Date
1993
Description
The accumulation of cadmium (Cd) in New Zealand agriculture was investigated principally in a national survey of pastoral soils. A total of 398 sites were sampled covering most major provinces in both North and South Islands: 312 pastoral farms and 86 "native" sites. The native sites were native bush, reserves, parks or other nonagricultural areas which were representative of the soil groups sampled on farms, The overall average total Cd content (0-7.5 cm depth) for native soils was 0.20 µgig Cd (range 0.02-0,77 µgig Cd), while the corresponding average content for pastoral soils was 0.44 µgig Cd (0.04-1.53 µgig Cd). Total soil Cd levels were very highly correlated with total soil phosphorus (P) levels for all soils sampled. Total soil P levels are a reflection of fertiliser history; thus it would appear that phosphoric fertilisers are a contributory factor in Cd accumulation in soils.
Citation
Roberts, A.H C.; Longhurst, R D.; and Brown, M W., "Cadmium Accumulation in New Zealand Pastoral Agriculture" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 20.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1993/session40/20
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Cadmium Accumulation in New Zealand Pastoral Agriculture
The accumulation of cadmium (Cd) in New Zealand agriculture was investigated principally in a national survey of pastoral soils. A total of 398 sites were sampled covering most major provinces in both North and South Islands: 312 pastoral farms and 86 "native" sites. The native sites were native bush, reserves, parks or other nonagricultural areas which were representative of the soil groups sampled on farms, The overall average total Cd content (0-7.5 cm depth) for native soils was 0.20 µgig Cd (range 0.02-0,77 µgig Cd), while the corresponding average content for pastoral soils was 0.44 µgig Cd (0.04-1.53 µgig Cd). Total soil Cd levels were very highly correlated with total soil phosphorus (P) levels for all soils sampled. Total soil P levels are a reflection of fertiliser history; thus it would appear that phosphoric fertilisers are a contributory factor in Cd accumulation in soils.
