Abstract: Capsicum annuum L. and corresponding soil samples were collected from different karst areas of Guizhou province (Xiazi town, Zunyi city and Huaxi county, Guiyang city). The concentrations of 13 heavy metals (As, Cd, Pb, Hg, Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni, Tl, Co, Sb, Sn and Mn) in plants and soil samples were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The bioconcentration factors in Capsicum annuum L. were calculated. The results showed that average Cd concentration in soil was 9.33% higher than the Farmland Environmental Quality Evaluation Standard for Edible Agricultural Products (HJ/T 332?2006), and the percentage of samples whose Cd concentration exceeded the standard was 57.89%. Cd concentration in Capsicum annuum L. from Zunyi was higher than the Maximum Levels of Contaminants in Foods (GB 2762?2012), and the percentage of samples whose Cd concentration exceeded the standard was 85.71%. Cr concentrations in only two samples from Huaxi were over the standard limit, which were 15.36% and 12.18%, respectively. Besides, bioconcentration factors (BCF) for 13 heavy metals in Capsicum annuum L. showed a decreasing order of Cd > Cu > Zn > Hg > Sn > Tl > Mn > Sb > Ni > Co > Cr > As > Pb. The BCF of Cd in Capsicum annuum L. was 1.138, and the BCF of Pb was 0.001 9. Furthermore, the concentrations of Co, Ni and Sn in Capsicum annuum L. were significantly positively correlated with their contents in soil (P < 0.05). However, for the other elements, there were no significant correlations between their contents in Capsicum annuum L. and soil (P > 0.05). The provisional weekly intakes of Cr and Cd through the consumption of Capsicum annuum L. were much lower than the provisional tolerable weekly intakes for sensitive populations recommended by the WHO, and had no harmful effects on human health. Because of high Cd background values in karst areas of Guizhou province, attention should be paid to Cd enrichment in Capsicum annuum L. during the process of cultivation.

Key words: Capsicum annuum L., planting soil, heavy metal, bioconcentration, karst area