This study was conducted to investigate the arsenic pollution
of surface soils in a typical CAFO zone, in comparison with the
general agricultural soils, in the Pearl River Delta, one of the
most densely urbanized regions in the world. The possible
sources of arsenic in the surface soils surrounding the CFAOs
was identified using correlation matrix and multivariate analyses,
including cluster analysis (CA) and principal component
analysis (PCA). Furthermore, the chemical speciation of the
arsenic compounds was analyzed to assess their sources and
the fate of the organoarsenic feed additives released by the animal
wastes. Loading of arsenic in the surface soils and the contribution
from organoarsenic feed additives were analyzed, and
risk assessment was carried out to evaluate the potential ecological
risk of arsenic pollution.