Abstract
In this chapter, the sources and toxikinetics of cadmium (Cd) in soils of sub-Saharan Africa were identified and discussed. The metal was found to be toxic in soils due to its high mobility and ability to replace divalent cations of near similar or similar physicochemical characteristics. Natural sources of the heavy metal include its carbonate, sulfide, and selenide ores. Anthropic sources include the mining and smelting of gold, tin, and cobalt among other metals mainly by artisans, manufacturing of Cd-nickel batteries and resultant wastes laden with the metal and agricultural additives such as phosphatic fertilizers as well as the use of Cd-containing biosolids. Pollution by the activities in soils was worsened by their non-regulation and the laxity of SSA countries to take up environmental conservation initiatives and projects. Therefore, soils can only be used as temporary rather than permanent sinks of Cd due to its toxicity potential.