A Survey on the Heavy Metal Concentration of Soil Samples around Onsan Industrial Complex

In order to investigate the pollution potential of soils after the construction of Onsan Industrial Complex(non-ferrous metal refineries), concentrations of hazardous heavy metals were analyzed for soil samples collected from paddy, upland, orchard and forest soils around the Complex during the period of March 1978 to May 1979. The results are summarized as follows. 1) The concentrations of heavy metals (air-dry basis) for cultivated soil samples from 46 sites were obtained in the range of trace-9.3 ppm As, trace-0.6 ppm Cd, 422 ppm Cu, trace-0.37 ppm Hg, 643 ppm Pb and 2793 ppm Zn, which were regarded as non-polluted when compared with the whole Korea data for non-polluted paddy soils. 2) When the heavy metal concentrations were compared with respect to paddy, upland and orchard soils, no significant difference was observed in As, Cd, Cu and Zn whereas significant difference was observed in Hg and Pb. When they were compared with respect to region surrounding the Complex, no significant difference was observed in As, Cd, Hg whereas significant difference was observed in Cu and Pb. 3) Soil samples from several sites near Korea Zinc Refinery were contaminated with Cd, Pb and Zn, due to the accidental emission during its testing operation. Any further contamination was not observed after regular operation of the Refinery.