Kadmium i grundvattnet i området kring Rörums Fur

Sammanfattning: Cadmium poses a threat to both human health and the environment. In this study, cadmium levels in groundwater in the area around Rörums Fur in the municipality of Simrishamn, Sweden, and their potential sources were mapped, with the aim of getting an overview of the cadmium situation in the area. For this purpose, groundwater analysis data from various sources were compiled and compared to information on possible anthropogenic and natural sources. The study shows that cadmium levels are elevated with regard to the Swedish reference value in 50 % of the sampling points, but only one point exhibits a very high cadmium level that is above the maximum acceptable level for drinking water according to the Swedish National Food Agency. Two possible point sources for cadmium emissions were identified but the risk of groundwater contamination from these is considered very limited. Cadmium levels in shallow groundwaters might be affected by the use of fertilizers and lime on cropland. The most likely sources for high cadmium levels are Cambrian sandstone and alum shale in the bedrock. Further studies with more sampling points are necessary for general conclusions to be drawn about cadmium levels and sources. In the sampling point that showed the highest cadmium level, groundwater is extracted from the bedrock and not from the sand and gravel deposit that constitutes the groundwater body Rörums Fur. Hence, there is no need to determine a higher benchmark level for cadmium that is to be used for the purpose of groundwater management with regard to Rörums Fur.