This study addressed the hypothesis that the increasing Cd concentration
levels in the soil are related to the local ceramic industry. Application
of the geo-accumulation index suggested that the sediment was
very strongly polluted by Cd. Sediment dating and principal component
analysis together indicated that the case study factory was responsible
for the Cd pollution in sediments in a nearby river. Based on investigations
from 2004 to 2012, the soil Cd distribution in space and time
agrees with the distribution of the local ceramic industry. Thus, we
infer that soil cadmium pollution in the entire area may be related to
the local ceramic industry. Local government should reinforce control
of thewastewater discharge by the ceramic industry and implement effective
countermeasures.