Metals in urban gardens ‐ effect of lime and sludge
James R. Preer, Ahmed N. Abdi, Harkewal S. Sekhon, George B. Murchison
Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A Environmental Science and Engineering and Toxicology
Urban Farm DB summary
This study investigated cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) concentrations in vegetables grown in community gardens on different urban soils. Vegetables from a low-pH urban soil without contamination history showed higher Cd and Zn levels than those from a reclaimed landfill with digested sewage sludge, and also higher than a low-metal, neutral-pH site. Liming on the low-pH site reduced Cd and Zn concentrations in beet, lettuce, radish, and Swiss chard leaves, reaching background levels after four years. The findings indicate that soil pH is more important than total soil Cd and Zn in determining vegetable metal availability.