Determination of heavy metals in paddy soils (Kočani Field, Macedonia) by a sequential extraction procedure

In this study we examine the distribution of heavy metals (As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) in paddy soil samples from Kočani Field (Macedonia) by ICP-EAS and sequential extraction procedure. Very high concentrations of As (42 mg/kg), Cd (5.6 mg/kg), Cu (99 mg/kg), Pb (892 mg/kg) and Zn (1134 mg/kg) were found in the paddy soil sample from location VII-2 in the western part of Kočani Field, close to the Zletovska River, which drains the untreated effuents of the Pb-Zn mine in Zletovo and is used for the irrigation of the Kočani paddy felds. The mobility potential of heavy metals in the investigated paddy soil samples increases from As-Pb-Zn-Cu-Cd. We concluded that the paddy soil sample from location VII-2 had highly elevated heavy metal concentrations and revealed that the extraction characteristics of heavy metals represents a serious environmental potential risk for the surrounding ecosystems