This study explored the heavy metal pollution status in mining
areas and in soils under cultivation of moso bamboo. Kriged maps
of metal concentration indicated that bulk of the study area was
polluted with heavy metals mostly adjacent to the mines. All
analyses suggested strong influence of the mineral mining on
heavy metal accumulation in soils of the study area. Moran’s I and
geostatistical analyses revealed that spatial patterns of heavy
metal concentrations in soils and bamboo shoots were not related,
whereas positive spatial correlations existed between Pb in soil
and bamboo shoots. Based on the Pb threshold value, its
contamination in both soil and shoots was at alarming levels.
Consequently, some protective measures should be adopted to
curtail metal contamination of the food chain.