Pollution in soils around a lead-zinc mine, Southern China

Abstract Environmental pollution is a major concern worldwide since it affects surrounding farmland soils as well as the food chain and human health. Soils were contaminated by nearby abandoned lead-zinc mine in South China. The contents of heavy metals in these soils have severely exceeded the threshold local values according to the China national standard. This study provides a scientific reference to apply remediation methods for polluted soils by heavy metals for the restoration of ecological environment ofsoils around lead-zinc mine.