Distribution of anthropogenic cadmium and arsenic in arable land soils of Hainan, China

It is important to determine the distribution of anthropogenic heavy metals in arable land soils. Using Hainan Island as a study area, the background concentrations of cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) in arable land soils from different types of parent materials were estimated and then anthropogenic input distribution was determined by subtracting background concentrations from existing spatial distributions of Cd and As using ArcGIS spatial analysis tools. There were areas where the content of soil Cd and As did not show a change due to anthropogenic inputs, 8.4% As and 24.3% Cd content were below background concentrations, respectively. Soils with higher anthropogenic inputs were found around urban areas and the western part of Hainan Island. Data indicated that inputs were primarily produced by rapid urbanization and uncontrolled mining exploration. Anthropogenic Cd and As increases were also caused by excessive application of fertilizers.