This paper describes results from a comprehensive survey of heavy metal
concentrations (arsenic, cadmium. cohalt chromium, copper. mercury, molyhdenum.
nickel. lead, seleniuml. thallium. zinc) in NSW canelands at three depths (0-100 mm.
0-250 mm and 250-500 mm). Apart from chromium, mean concentrations at
0-250 mm and 250-500 mm were higher than corresponding concentrations from
Queensland cane lands. However, they are well within ranges typical of soils worldwide.
Paired site comparisons in NSW show that total cadmium concentrations in surface soils
are higher in non~cane (grassland) sites than in their caneland '"pair" for reasons that are unclear. In contrast mean concentrations of total mercury have doubled in NSW
canelands relative to adjacent non--cane sites; as was also the case in Queensland. This
finding has long--term implications for thc usc of 2,methnxyethylmercury chloride as a
mercury-based fungicide in sugarcane production. Calculations suggest it will take over
25 years for the present mean concentration of mercury at 0-250 mm to double again in
NSW canelanus, and much longer still in Queensland. assuming present rates of
fungicide use continue.