Journal of Taiwan Agricultural Research

Author:Tsang-Sen Liu*, Horng-Yuh Guo, Jiang-Liung Chu and Shen Lian

Abstract:

    Characteristics of heavy metal contents in rocks, soils, creeks, and algae have been preliminarily analyzed in serpentinite-developed soil regions in eastern Taiwan for understanding the potential effect of heavy metals on agriculture environments in this area. The results showed that the serpentinite-developed soils with high content of heavy metals and low Ca/Mg ratios are similar to their parent rocks. Soil profile analyses of pH and contents of nickel, chromium, and cobalt at three sampling sites indicated that the pH of these serpentinite-developed soils was affected by degree of weathering. These soils exhibited acid feature with the pH ranging from 4.5~6.5 depending on the extent of weathering. High-weathered regions with lower pH value had the greater availability of heavy metals than that in low-weathered regions with higher pH value. The availability of nickel and cobalt in each sampling site was greater than that of chromium. Our results suggested that the agriculture in serpentinite-developed soil regions in eastern Taiwan should pay more attention to the potential hazard of heavy metals because the soil pH values were low and the nickel contents were high in creek waters and algae in this area.

Key words:Serpentinite-developed soil, Heavy metal, Eastern Taiwan

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