Trace element uptake in plants grown on fly ash amended soils

Four crop plants were grown in a greenhouse in soils amended with 0, 5, 10, and 20% by weight of coal combustion fly ash to evaluate potential trace element uptake by the vegetation. The leaves and stems from each plant were harvested and analyzed for As, Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Mo, Pb, Se, Tl, and Zn content during early, middle, and late growth. The trace element data were statistically analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to determine whether the trace element uptake in the four crop plants differed significantly between the soil treatments, and to identify significant differences in trace element uptake through time. The results show that the amount of amended fly ash does not significantly influence the concentration of most trace elements in plant tissue, and that some concentrations actually decrease with time. Although this study did not find a significant increase in trace element uptake, care must be taken in a natural environment where plants may behave differently.     

Bioavailability and health risk assessment of potentially toxic elements in Thriasio Plain,near Athens,Greece

Elevated concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) are usually found in areas of intense industrial activity. Thriasio Plain is a plain near Athens, Greece, where most of the heavy industry of the country has been situated for decades, but it also is a residential and horticultural area. We aimed at measuring the levels of PTEs in soils and indigenous plant species and assessing the health risk associated with direct soil ingestion. Samples of soils at roadsides and growing plants were collected from 31 sites of that area. Concentrations of Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, V and Zn were measured in both soils (as pseudo-total) and aerial plant tissues. We found that As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were higher than maximum regulatory limits. Element concentrations in plants were rather lower than expected, probably because indigenous plants have developed excluder behaviour over time. Copper and Zn soil-to-plant coefficients were highest among the other elements; for Cu this was unexpected, and probably associated with recent Cu-releasing industrial activity. Risk assessment analysis indicated that As was the element contributing more than 50 % of the health risk related to direct soil ingestion, followed by Cr, Pb, and, surprisingly, Mn. We concluded that in a multi-element contamination situation, elevated risk of PTEs (such as As, Cr and Pb) may reduce the tolerance limits of exposure to less-toxic elements (here, Mn).     

Regional investigations of soil and overburden analysis and plant uptake of metals

Regional studies on the bioavailability of metals at native and disturbed sites were conducted over the past seven years by the USGS. The work was concentrated in the Fort Union, Powder River, and Green River coal resource regions where measures of extractable metals in soils were found to have limited use in predicting metal levels in plants.Correlations between Cu, Fe, and Zn in plants and extractable (DTPA, EDTA, and oxalate) or total levels in native A- and C-horizons of soil were occasionally significant. A simple linear model is generally not adequate, however, in estimating element uptake by plants. Prediction capabilities were improved when a number of soil chemical and physical parameters were included as independent variables in a stepwise linear multiple regression analysis; however, never more than 54% of the total variability in the data was explained by the equations for these metals. Soil pH was the most important variable relating soil chemistry to plant chemistry. This relation was always positive and apparently a response to soil levels of metal carbonates and not Fe and Mn oxides. Studies that compared the metal uptake by rehabilitation species to extractable (DTPA) metal levels in mice soils produced similar results.     

宝山堇菜多金属吸收特征和耐性策略

宝山堇菜Viola baoshanensis Shu,Liu et Lan是一种Cd超富集植物,但它对不同重金属的吸收和转运能力有待进一步研究。从湖南桂阳宝山多金属矿区中筛选4个宝山堇菜优势分布的小生境,分析这些生境中宝山堇菜及其根区土壤的重金属质量分数。化学分析结果显示,宝山堇菜优势分布土壤中Cd、Pb、Zn、Cu、Mn和Fe的平均质量分数（mg/kg）分别为471、15 044、8 273、1 776、4 702和69 054。宝山堇菜地上部Cd、Pb、Zn、Cu、Mn和Fe的平均质量分数（mg/kg）分别为387、1 077、1 037、99、379和1 812,其中Cd、Pb超过超富集植物标准,Zn、Cu的平均质量分数大约是Zn、Cu超富集植物标准的10%,Mn的平均质量分数低于Mn超富集植物标准的5%,Fe的平均质量分数高于1 000 mg/kg。上述结果表明,宝山堇菜可以超富集Cd和Pb,富集Zn、Cu和Fe以及低积累Mn。此外,宝山堇菜对不同重金属差别化吸收模式可能也代表了超富集植物适应重金属复合污染土壤的一种策略。     

南京城市土壤中重金属的化学形态分布

采取Tessier连续提取法，研究了南京市不同城区表层土壤中Fe,Mn,Cr,Ni,Co,V,Cu,Zn,Pb的化学形态分布。结果表明，南京城市土壤中Fe,Mn,Cr,Ni,Co,V,Zn,Pb以残渣晶格态为主，可交换态比例极低；Cu在城市道路旁的土壤中有机物结合态所占的比例最高，其他区域残渣晶格态所占的比例最高，与非城区自然土壤相比，主要来源于人为输入的Mn,Cu,Zn,Pb残渣晶格态所占的比例低，活性态比例大；Cr和主要来源于原土壤物质的Fe,Ni,Co,V在城市土壤与非城区自然土壤中各形态所占的比例相似，残渣晶格态比例大，活性态比例极低。     

Plants growing in a mining area: screening for metal accumulator plants possibly useful for bioremediation

A field study was conducted in an iron mine in Hamedan (Iran) to find native accumulator plants and to evaluate the extent of metal bioaccumulation in the naturally growing vegetation. The concentrations of total As, Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Si, and Zn were found to be higher in the mine than in soil. These plants accumulated the highest amounts of the following metals in their roots: Euphorbia cheiradenia As, Stipa barbata Cd, Pb and Cr, Euphorbia macroclada Cu, Centaurea iberica Fe, Reseda lutea Mo, Salvia spinosa Ni and Zn, and Xanthium strumarium Se. In the aerial parts, the highest metal accumulation was found in Epilobium fragilis As, Carthamus oxyacantha Cd, Fe, Mn, and Pb, Verbascum speciosum Cu, Centaurea iberica Mo, Salvia spinosa Ni and Cr, Glaucium grandiflorum Se, and Malva neglecta Zn. Enrichment factors and bioconcentration factors were also determined; C. oxyacantha, S. spinosa, M. neglecta, C. iberica, V. speciosum, G. grandiflorum, and E. fragilis are the most effective accumulators and are proposed for phytoremediation of polluted soils.     

Some characteristics of the distribution of heavy metals in urban topsoil of Xuzhou,China

An assessment is presented of distribution characteristics of heavy metals in the urban topsoil from the city of Xuzhou. The concentrations of Ag, Al, As, Au, Ba, Be, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, Hg, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Pd, Pt, Sb, Sc, Se, Sn, V and Zn have been determined from 21 soil samples. Examination of lognormal distribution plots indicates that the diagrams of Al, Be, Fe, Ga, Li, and V are almost linear suggesting that these metals are almost unaffected by anthropogenic activities while the plots for As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Pd, Pt, Se, Zn and others are not linear probably due to anthropogenic activities from which these metals are delivered to the soils. Al is used for mineralogical normalization of these data. An evaluation of background values for topsoil is also carried out by means of lognormal distribution plots. The results show our background values obtained from the lognormal distribution plots are comparable to those values of uncontaminated soils of Xuzhou obtained by previous work except for Cd and Hg. At present, no explanation for the exceptions Cd and Hg can be given.     

Soil organic matter and salinity affect copper bioavailability in root zone and uptake by Vicia faba L. plants

Processes that control the mobility, transformation and toxicity of metals in soil are of special importance in the root-developing zone. For this reason, there is a considerable interest in understanding trace elements (TEs) behavior in soil, emphasising the processes by which plants take them up. Increased root-zone salinity can affect plant TEs uptake and accumulation in plant tissue. Furthermore, copper (Cu) complexation by soil organic matter (SOM) is an effective mechanism of Cu retention in soils, controlling thus its bioavailability. Therefore, a greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of soil Cu contamination in a saline environment on faba bean (Vicia faba L.) element uptake. Treatment with NaCl salinity was applied (control, 50 mM NaCl and 100 mM NaCl) on faba bean plants grown in a control and in a soil spiked with Cu (250 and 500 mg kg^?1). Low and high SOM content trial variants were studied. Cu accumulation occurred in faba bean leaf, pod and seed. Cu contamination affected plant element concentrations in leaves (Na, Ca, Mg, Mn), pod (Zn, Mn) and seed (Mn, Mo, Zn). Root-zone salinity also affected faba bean element concentrations. Furthermore, Cu contamination—salinity and salinity—SOM interactions were significant for pod Cu concentration, suggesting that Cu phytoavailability could be affected by these interactions. Future research will be focused on the mechanisms of Cu translocation in plant and adaptation aspects of abiotic stress.     

宝鸡城市街尘、土壤及河流沉积物重金属形态迁移特征

在宝鸡城市街尘、土壤及河流沉积物基本理化性质和重金属元素含量分析的基础上,重点研究了重金属元素在街尘、土壤及河流沉积物中的赋存形态和迁移特征.结果表明:在街尘中Cu主要以可氧化态和残余态形式存在,Pb主要以可还原态和可氧化态形式存在,Zn和Cd主要以乙酸可提取态形式存在,Mn、Fe、Co、Ni和Cr主要以残余态形式存在...     

Heavy metals in soils and crops in Southeast Asia

In a reconnaisance soil geochemical and plant survey undertaken to study the heavy metal uptake by major food crops in Malaysia, 241 soils were analysed for cation exchange capacity (CEC), organic carbon (C), pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and available phosphorus (P) using appropriate procedures. These soils were also analysed for arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) using aqua regia digestion, together with 180 plant samples using nitric acid digestion. Regression analysis between the edible plant part and aqua regia soluble soil As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn concentrations sampled throughout Peninsular Malaysia, indicated a positive relationship for Pb in all the plants sampled in the survey (R2 = 0.195, p < 0.001), for Ni in corn (R2 = 0.649, p < 0.005), for Cu in chili (R2 = 0.344, p < 0.010) and for Zn in chili (R2 = 0.501, p < 0.001). Principal component analysis of the soil data suggested that concentrations of Co, Ni, Pb and Zn were strongly correlated with concentrations of Al and Fe, which is suggestive of evidence of background variations due to changes in soil mineralogy. Thus the evidence for widespread contamination of soils by these elements through agricultural activities is not strong. Chromium was correlated with soil pH and EC, Na, S, and Ca while Hg was not correlated with any of these components, suggesting diffuse pollution by aerial deposition. However As, Cd, Cu were strongly associated with organic matter and available and aqua regia soluble soil P, which we attribute to inputs in agricultural fertilisers and soil organic amendments (e.g. manures, composts).     

The Nutrient Status of Some Graminaceous Species in Britain. 2. Deschampsia Flexuosa (L.) Trin

Above-ground biomass of Deschampsia flexuosa from 40 sites throughout Britain was analysed for concentrations of elements (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn and Na), with matching analyses of nutrient levels in the soils, together with pH and LOI. Seasonal variation in the nutrients was also studied in detail at one of the sites. the grass was found on acid sites ranging between pH 3.1 and 4.7. the soil humus content varied widely, and there were significant correlations between that and elements (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn and Na) in the soil. Concentrations of zinc and manganese in the plant material were the only elements that significantly correlated with extractable levels in the soils. Tissue concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium declined throughout the growing season, whereas the other elements showed a tendency to build up until the end of September. Calcium, magnesium and manganese concentrations then declined as growth ceased. the results are compared with above-ground concentrations of minerals in other plants and the growth strategy of this perennial grass.     

应用土壤肥力系统研究法诊断芒果国土壤的矿质营养

广东省赤红壤垦种芒果后，土壤的矿质营养状况基本上改善不大，地力产量仍然很低。应用土壤肥力系统研究法诊断土壤营养元素的结果表明，其缺素效应排序为：Ｎ＞Ｐ、Ｃａ＞Ｋ＞Ｍｇ；土壤Ｆｅ和Ｃｕ无缺素反应，而Ｓ、Ｂ、Ｍｎ、Ｍｏ和Ｚｎ有个别土样显示缺素效应，对这些元素丰缺的确切结论，有待进一步研究。     

Accumulation and translocation of heavy metals in soil and plants from fly ash contaminated area

The present investigation deals with the accumulation of heavy metals in fields contaminated with fly ash from a thermal power plant and subsequent uptake in different parts of naturally grown plants. Results revealed that in the contaminated site, the mean level of all the metals (Cd, Zn, Cr, Pb, Cu, Ni, Mn and Fe) in soil and different parts (root and shoots) of plant species were found to be significantly (p<0.01) higher than the uncontaminated site. The enrichment factor (EF) of these metals in contaminated soil was found to be in the sequence of Cd (2.33) > Fe (1.88) > Ni (1.58) > Pb (1.42) > Zn (1.31) > Mn (1.27) > Cr (1.11) > Cu (1.10). Whereas, enrichment factor of metals in root and shoot parts, were found to be in the order of Cd (7.56) > Fe (4.75) > Zn (2.79) > Ni (2.22) > Cu (1.69) > Mn (1.53) > Pb (1.31) > Cr (1.02) and Cd (6.06) approximately equal Fe (6.06) > Zn (2.65) > Ni (2.57) > Mn (2.19) > Cu (1.58) > Pb (1.37) > Cr (1.01) respectively. In contaminated site, translocation factor (TF) of metals from root to shoot was found to be in the order of Mn (1.38) > Fe (1.27) > Pb (1.03) > Ni (0.94) > Zn (0.85) > Cd (0.82) > Cr (0.73) and that of the metals Cd with Cr, Cu, Mn, Fe; Cr with Pb, Mn, Fe and Pb with Fe were found to be significantly correlated. The present findings provide us a clue for the selection of plant species, which show natural resistance against toxic metals and are efficient metal accumulators.     

Phylogenetic analysis of hyperaccumulator plant species for heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Increasing concentration of heavy metals (HMs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the soil may impose a serious threat to living organisms due to their toxicity and the ability to accumulate in plant tissues. The present review focuses on the phylogenetic relationships, sources, biotransformation and accumulation potential of hyperaccumulators for the priority HMs and PAHs. This review provides an opportunity to reveal the role of hyperaccumulators in removal of HMs and PAHs from soils, to understand the relationships between pollutants and their influence on the environment and to find potential plant species for soil remediation. The phylogenetic analysis results showed that the hyperaccumulators of some chemicals (Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Zn, Cd) are clustered on the evolutionary tree and that the ability to hyperaccumulate different pollutants can be correlated either positively (Cd–Zn, Pb–Zn, Co–Cu, Cd–Pb) or negatively (Cu–PAHs, Co–Cd, Co–PAHs, Ni–PAHs, Cu–Ni, Mn–PAHs). Further research needs to be extended on the focus of commercializing the techniques including the native hyperaccumulators to remediate the highly contaminated soils.

     

Concentration of polyvalent metals by seaweeds in Vostok Bay,Sea of Japan

Spectrophotometric methods were used to measure the contents of the polyvalent metals Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Mo and Zn in 16 species of red, brown, and green seaweeds and 2 species of higher water plants collected from the intertidal and sublittoral zones of Vostok Bay, Sea of Japan. Some of the species displayed a unique capability for increased accumulation of groups of several metals. We have termed this ability specific group concentration. Thus, Ptilota filicina concentrates Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Mo; Polysiphonia japonica Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Zn, Mo, and Cr; Rhodomela larix Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn, and Cr; Agarum cribrosum Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn, and Cr; Ulvaria splendens Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Ni, and Cu; Ulva fenestrata Mn, Fe, Ni, and Cu; Enteromorpha prolifera Mn, Co, Zn, Mo, and Cr; codium yessoensis V, Mn, Fe, Ni, and Cr; Zostera asiatica Ti, Mn, Ni, and Mo; Phyllospadix iwatensis Ti, V, Mn, Fe, and Zn. Specific group concentration makes possible a new approach to the study of active transport of polyvalent metals, physiologically significant for live organisms, through cell membranes, and the study of the formation of complex metal compounds inside the cell, i.e., the study of the processes that determine the degree of element concentration. The contents of the metals studied in sea water and the accumulation coefficients were also determined. The variation range is extremely high both for the seaweed species and metals investigated. Maximum coefficients were noted for Mn: 1.8·10⁵; Ti: 4.4·10⁴; Fe: 2.4·10⁴; Cr: 1.2·10⁶.     

A contribution to the distribution of some chemical elements inMolinia caerulea andEriophorum vaginatum during reinstatement of the Leegmoor,Emsland, FRG

The concentrations of Ag, Al, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, La, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, Sr, Ti, V and Zn were determined by AES/ICP inMolinia caerulea andEriophorum vaginatum grown in the Leegmoor, which is in reinstatement. In the soil substrate analytical detection limits were obtained for Ag, Co, Li, Mo and Rb and additionally for Al, Be, Cd, Cr, La, Li, Ni, Pb, Ti and V in plants. Compared with mineral soils, the concentration of elements in peat is low. The elements K and P were enriched byMolinia caerulea andEriophorum vaginatum, and in addition Mn and Zn byEriophorum vaginatum. Altogether the ability of accumulation essential elements seem to be more efficient byEriophorum vaginatumthan byMolinia caerulea, which can be an ecophysiological advantage on peats, whereMolinia caerulea is normally not distributed.     

Quantification of transition metals in biological samples and its possible impact on ferro-alloy workers

Increased risk of ill-health and diseases has been associated with employment in the ferro-alloy factory. Since measurement of transition metals in human blood and hair along with respective exposure rates, provides a means of assessing individual risk, it has been the most important part of the study. In the study majority of the elements in the transition series, such as, vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), cobalt, (Co) nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), molybdenum (Mo) and cadmium (Cd) were considered which are randomly emitted from the source, that is, manganese ore (used during ferro-alloy manufacturing process). The commonly available transition, metals, observed in biological samples of ferro-alloy workers, were found to be Fe, Zn, Co, Ni, Cu, Cr, Cd, V Mn and Mo in blood, while in hair, Mn, Fe, Zn, Co, Ni, Cu, Cr, Cd, V and Mo were present in decreasing order Surveillance of bio-concentration of these metals in workers, exposed to close proximity of the coke-ovens and smelting furnaces, revealed that the workers were prone to several physical disorders.     

Assessment of potentially toxic elements in Swiss chard and sediments of Akaki River,Ethiopia

For the determination of 15 potentially toxic elements (V, Cr, Fe, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Ag, Cd, Sn, Hg, and Pb) in plant and sediment samples of the Akaki River, Ethiopia, inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry, and a RA-915+ mercury analyzer were applied. Sediment and plant samples were mineralized using a closed-vessel microwave-assisted digestion system. The elemental concentrations varied considerably in plant and sediment samples. The minimum concentration was observed for known toxic elements (As, Hg, and Cd) while the highest concentration was observed for the elements of relatively low toxicity Zn, Mn, and Fe. The concentration of Cr, Fe, Pb, Zn, and As in Swiss chard surpassed the maximum permissible levels at specific sites. At some of the sites, the sediment quality guidelines are surpassed for Cu, Zn, and Pb.     

芜湖市区土壤重金属污染评价及来源分析

对芜湖市区153个土壤样品中9种重金属的含量进行测定和评价,利用多元地统计方法进行污染来源分析。结果表明：芜湖市区土壤Zn、Fe、Mn、Cu、Pb、Co、Cd、Ni、Cr的平均含量分别为96.8、30600.1、466.1、35.0、29.1、16.7、1.2、26.3、78.3mg/kg;除Fe、Mn、Ni外,其他元素均高于相应土壤背景值,Zn、Cu、Pb、Co、Cd、Cr分别是背景值的1.26、1.09、1.17、1.20、6.11、1.29倍,说明这些元素出现了一定程度的积累。单因子评价结果表明Cd污染最为严重,Zn、Cu、Pb、Co和Cr为轻度污染,Fe、Mn和Ni没有污染。综合相关性、聚类及主成分分析可知,Fe和Mn为＂自然源因子＂,不同功能区分布主要受成土母质控制;Zn、Cu、Pb和Cd为＂交通及工业活动因子＂,Cu、Cd高值区均分布在开发区,Zn和Pb的高值区分布在镜湖区;Ni、Co和Cr为＂农业活动因子＂,其空间变异受成土母质及农业活动等因素影响。     

Heavy metals in soils and crops in Southeast Asia 2. Thailand

A reconnaissance soil geochemical and concomitant plant survey based on 318 soil (0-15 cm) and 122 plant samples was used for the assessment of heavy metal pollution of agricultural soils and crops of Thailand. Arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) were determined in soils using aqua regia digestion, and in plants using nitric acid digestion. Organic carbon (C), pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and available phosphorus (P) were determined on the soil samples using appropriate procedures. Results indicated that concentrations of heavy metals varied widely among the different regions of Thailand. Regression analysis between the concentrations of metals in soil (aqua regia extractable) and edible plant parts indicated a small but positive relationship for Cd in all the plants sampled in the survey (R2 = 0.081, p < 0.001). There was also a positive relationship between soil and plant Cd concentrations in rice (R2 = 0.242, p < 0.010), and negative relationships for Zn in rice (R2 = 0.385, p < 0.001), and Cu (R2 = 0.355, p < 0.001) and Zn (R2 = 0.122, p < 0.026) in glutinous rice. Principal component analysis of the soil data suggested that concentrations of As, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni and Pb were strongly correlated with concentrations of Al and Fe, which is suggestive of evidence of background variations due to changes in soil mineralogy. Thus, the evidence for widespread contamination of soils by these elements through agricultural activities is not strong. On the other hand, Cd and Zn were strongly correlated with organic matter and concentrations of available and aqua regia extractable P. This is attributed to input of contaminants in agricultural fertilisers and soil amendments (e.g. manures, composts).