We're sorry. An error has occurred
Please cancel or retry.
Trace element contaminants in agricultural soils: challenges and solutions
Some error occured while loading the Quick View. Please close the Quick View and try reloading the page.
Couldn't load pickup availability
- Format:
-
12 December 2025

This chapter explores the challenges and solutions to trace element contaminants in agricultural soils. Trace elements are naturally occurring environmental components but human activities have significantly altered their distribution, leading to contamination across various environmental compartments. Contamination of agricultural soils with trace elements is a concern because they can persist in the soil and potentially be transferred to food crops and humans. While certain trace elements, like copper and zinc, are essential for the growth and development of plants and animals, others, like cadmium, lead and arsenic, don't have beneficial metabolic functions. Both types can be harmful to humans if exposure occurs at concentrations exceeding the maximum tolerable intake levels. Various remediation strategies can reduce their bioavailability in agricultural soils. Additionally, regulatory standards for trace element concentrations in soil or agricultural products could play a strong and indirect role in controlling their environmental impact.
TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING / Agriculture / Agronomy / Soil Science, TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING / Agriculture / Agronomy / Crop Science, TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING / Agriculture / Sustainable Agriculture
- 1 Introduction
- 2 What are the common trace element contaminants and their sources?
- 3 Transformation of trace elements in soils
- 4 Transfer of trace elements to plants and animals and regulatory mechanisms
- 5 Adverse effects of potentially toxic trace elements in soil
- 6 Managing contaminated soils
- 7 Case study: community garden in Kansas City (Missouri)
- 8 Case study: community garden in Indianapolis (Indiana)
- 9 Where to look for further information
- 10 References