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Table 8.14: Average concentrations of heavy metals in New Zealand rural soils (mg/kg).
| Sites | Arsenic | Cadmium | Copper | Lead | Zinc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pastoral soil | 4.9 | 0.44 | 17.7 | 11.7 | 68 |
| Natural soil | 4.3 | 0.19 | 17.0 | 13.3 | 65 |
| ANZECC guideline1 | 20.0-100.0 | 30.00-20.00 | 60.0 | 300.0 | 200 |
| NZ draft guideline2 | 10.0 | - | 30.0-100.0 | - | - |
Source: Roberts et al. (1995)
1 These levels warrant investigation but are not necessarily harmful. Where a range is given, the lower level warrants environmental investigation while the upper level warrants health investigation (ANZECC/NHMRC, 1992).
2 These draft guidelines show acceptable soil concentrations in agricultural soils only. The limits for residential and industrial sites are higher (Ministry for the Environment and Ministry of Health, 1992).
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