ABSTRACT
Objective To study the relationship between the contents of arsenic, chromium and lead in the flowers of Robinia pseudoacacia L and soil sown to them in urban area of Qingdao. Methods The flowers of Robinia pseudoacacia L and soil, where they grew, were sampled for analysis in different quarters in urban area of Qingdao in May,2001. Results The sanitary qualities of the soil samples all maintained Grade 1, no one of the samples exceeded the related national sanitary standards for the contents of arsenic, chromium and lead in soil. Based on the national standards for As, Cr and Pb in food, the As contents in the sampled flowers of Robinia pseudoacacia L were all below the related national standard. The Cr contents in the flower samples exceeding the standard were only found in industrial quarter. The Pb contents in all flower samples exceeded the standard. Conclusion The low contents of Cr and Pb in flower samples were associated with those in the soil sown to Robinia pseudoacacia L and other environmental factors in a certain degree.