Speciation and distribution of cadmium in soils of the Prairies

Most of the Cd in grain results from plant uptake from soils which could vary in Cd concentrations depending largely on the type of soil parent material. This project will compare paired pedons of cultivated and uncultivated soils in the agricultural regions of the Prairies for their cadmium levels, distribution within soil profiles and the phytoavailability of the Cd in these soils.

IPNI-1993-CAN-MB7

24 May 2001

Objectives

    1) To determine the current levels of cadmium present in Manitoba soils and the origin, mode of occurrence, biological and physicochemical availability, mobilization and transport of cadmium in the soil system.
    2) On the basis of paired statistical data between cultivated and virginstate pedons, to evaluate the influence of agricultural practices on cadmium levels in soil.
    3) Determine the short- and long-term fate of native and anthropogenic sources of cadmium in soil and to enable the prediction of the availability of cadmium over a wide range of agricultural soils.