The pollution status and total contents of heavy metals, namely, Cd, As, Cu, Zn, and Pb, in paddy soils around mine areas and smelting areas of 9 cities in Hunan province were analyzed. The results indicated that the natural logarithmic concentrations of the analyzed heavy metals followed normal distributions. According to pollution index, the paddy soil samples collected from 6 cities were severely contaminated with Cd; moreover, other heavy metals, such as As, Cu, Zn, and Pb were found in paddy soils at various elevated concentrations. The pa...
