太湖沉水和浮叶植被及其水环境效应研究

运用GPS定位技术和常规采样方法,于2004年5月和9月对太湖沉水植物与浮叶植物的种类、群落类型、生物量及其水质状况进行了调查。结果表明:沉水植物与浮叶植物是太湖水生植被的主要类型,沉水植物群落类型主要有6个:微齿眼子菜群落;马来眼子菜群落;伊乐藻群落,穗花狐尾藻群落,金鱼藻群落,苦草群落;浮叶植物群落类型主要有3个:莕菜群落,金银莲花群落,菱群落。在春季,沉水植物占绝对优势,在夏秋季,浮叶植物则逐渐发展,尤其以莕菜生长最快。通过对有草区和无草区水质的比较,发现水生植被能显著提高水体的透明度、降低营养盐浓度和叶绿素含量,改善水质。     

不同沉水植物对沉积物磷迁移转化的影响

选择了微齿眼子菜(Potamogeton maackianus A.Benn .)、穗花狐尾藻(Myriophyllum spicatum L .)和金鱼藻(Ceratophyllum demerswn L .)3种沉水植物,在温室模拟研究了不同沉水植物对湖泊沉积物磷迁移转化的影响.研究结果表明,随着培养时间的延续微齿眼子菜和穗花狐尾藻对沉积物NaOH-P有明显的吸收和转化作用,分别吸收和转化了36.9%和33.2%,而金鱼藻对沉积物NaOH-P的影响不显著;各处理随着植物的生长,由于根系的吸收作用,沉积物中Olsell-P发生了从非根际→根际→沉水植物的迁移过程,其中微齿眼子菜和穗花狐尾藻更为明显.因此,微齿眼子菜和穗花狐尾藻对沉积物磷释放的控制作用更为明显.     

水位抬升对4种沉水植物生长及光合特性的影响

通过滆湖现场实验的方法模拟水位抬升,研究其对4种沉水植物的生长和光合荧光特性的影响。实验前30 d相应水位为2.6 m(控制水深为1 m),之后2 d内迅速抬升水位,32 d时各实验组相应水位为2.6、3.0、3.4和3.8 m,分别模拟水位不变、低水位抬升、中水位抬升和高水位抬升,各组水位一直保持到第70天实验结束。结果表明:随着水位抬升幅度增加,4种植物的株高显著增加(P0.05)。冠层型植物狐尾藻(Myriophyllum spicatum)、马来眼子菜(Potamogeton malaianus)生物量相应增加,高水位抬升下直立型黑藻(Hydrilla verticillata)生物量显著减小(P0.05),莲座型植物密刺苦草(Vallisneria denseserrulata)生物量随水位抬升幅度的增加而减小。在一定范围内,水位抬升减弱了狐尾藻、马来眼子菜和黑藻的定植能力,增强了密刺苦草的定植能力。冠层型植物在光合作用方面的表现同样优于直立型和莲座型植物,这说明不同的沉水植物对水位抬升的响应具有不同的生理生化特征。水位抬升促进了以狐尾藻、马来眼子菜为代表的冠层型植物的生长,高水位抬升不利于直立型植物黑藻的生长,抑制了莲座型植物密刺苦草的生长。以狐尾藻、马来眼子菜为代表的冠层型植物从形态学响应和光合作用能力上更适合水位抬升。该研究可为湖泊河流中沉水植物的恢复提供参考。     

不同生境薇甘菊土壤种子库与幼苗库的特征

通过野外定点取样与萌发试验相结合的方法,研究云南德宏州陇川县不同生境薇甘菊入侵地区的土壤种子库与幼苗库的特征.结果表明,根据土壤种子库萌发后的植物鉴定结果,橡胶林、林地、灌丛、草地和河岸边这5种生境共统计到40种植物,隶属18科.不同生境薇甘菊入侵群落的物种组成、种子萌发特性与空间分布及其幼苗库存在明显差异,橡胶林、林地、灌丛、草地和河岸边的薇甘菊种子密度分别为75、109、165、124和53粒·m-2,且各生境间差异显著(P＜0.05).室内萌发试验表明,薇甘菊土壤种子库萌发时间持续8周,其中第3～5周的萌发速度最快;土壤垂直方向上,0～2、＞2～5、＞5～10 cm深度土层薇甘菊种子分别占0～10 cm土层种子总数的81％、17％和2％.野外薇甘菊土壤幼苗库萌发时间持续6个月(5-10月),其中6-8月萌发速度较快.     

不同底质和透明度下马来眼子菜的表型可塑性研究

马来眼子菜(Potamogeton malaianusMiq.)是目前太湖沉水植物优势种之一。文章比较分析了3种不同底质和透明度情况下马来眼子菜的生长特征,探索其在太湖不断扩展的原因及其适应性。分别选取粘土质粉砂、粉砂和下蜀黄土底质上生长的马来眼子菜进行观察试验。结果表明,这3种底质在粒度组成、营养盐和分布特征上具有显著差异。在太湖粘土质粉砂和粉砂底质上马来眼子菜的生物量比下蜀黄土底质上的马来眼子菜高,其生物量随着底质营养盐的增加而增加。马来眼子菜与觅光相关的形态指标,如高度、节间距、节数、叶数、叶长及叶面积均随着底质营养盐的增加而显著增加。马来眼子菜的冠层高度与水体的透明度呈显著负相关,表明其对剧烈变化的湖泊光环境具有很强的适应能力。马来眼子菜在不同底质上的形态可塑性是其优先占据湖泊资源成为优势种的重要原因。     

不同水质对沉水植物马来眼子菜主要生理指标的影响研究

沉水植物生理指标能反映其生长的环境条件变化,建立二者的关系对认识沉水植物衰退机理以及湖泊生态系统修复具有重要的意义。采用原位试验,分析了太湖不同营养状态条件下马来眼子菜(Potamogeton wrightii Morong)叶片内叶绿素含量、过氧化物酶(POD)活性以及游离脯氨酸(PRO)含量的差异,初步探讨了马来眼子菜叶片内主要生理指标对水质的响应机理。结果表明:(1)马来眼子菜分布的不同湖区间水质理化因子、综合营养状态指数(TLI)存在显著的空间差异,马来眼子菜主要生长于中营养水质或富营养状态下;(2)太湖马来眼子菜叶片内主要生理指标存在显著空间差异,其叶绿素、POD与TLI呈显著二次多项式回归关系,中营养水平下,除游离脯氨酸外,其他生理指标均与TLI呈显著相关;(3)中营养水平下,马来眼子菜叶片内各生理指标与水质理化因子之间表现为显著相关性,且与TN、TP及COD_Mn关系最为密切。本试验表明,马来眼子菜比较适合中营养水质条件,水体氮磷浓度、高锰酸盐指数对马来眼子菜的生理影响较大。     

4种沉水植物对白洋淀富营养化水体净化效果的研究

利用白洋淀富营养化的湖水和底泥与蓖齿眼子菜、马来眼子菜、金鱼藻和黑藻4种沉水植物分别组成室内静态模拟的生长体系,研究4种沉水植物在白洋淀富营养化环境下的生长状况,以及不同沉水植物生长体系对水体磷、氮及有机物的净化效果。结果表明：试验所用沉水植物对富营养化湖水、底泥具有一定的耐受能力,在试验条件中生长良好,长度与生物量都明显增加,并能有效地降低水体中的总磷、氨氮及总氮浓度。试验21 d后,蓖齿眼子菜、马来眼子菜、金鱼藻和黑藻所在的生长体系对水体中总磷的去除能力分别为：4.68、4.72、4.92和5.03μg·d-1·g-1,去除率分别为：83.59%、84.35%、87.84%和89.88%;对水体中氨氮的去除能力分别为：11.42、10.75、12.02和11.90μg·d-1·g-1,去除率分别为：74.98%、70.58%、78.96%和78.11%;对总氮的去除能力分别为：37.69、39.79、42.02和41.65μg.d-1.g-1,去除率分别为：79.40%、83.82%、88.51%和87.73%。沉水植物生长体系对CODcr的降解有所反复,但整体呈现下降趋势。不同沉水植物生长体系总磷、总氮含量随时间降解的拟合方程表明,水体总磷、总氮浓度随时间的变化呈负指数形式衰减。沉水植物对水体营养盐浓度的影响通过多种途径实现,底泥在营养盐的归趋中起着重要的作用。     

铜离子对2种沉水植物种植水抑藻效应的影响

为了阐明铜离子对沉水植物化感抑藻作用的影响,利用2种常见且具有明显化感抑藻效应的沉水植物：马来眼子菜和苦草种植水进行了研究,分析了协同加入铜离子的情况下,种植水对铜绿微囊藻（Microcystis aeruginosa）脆杆藻（Fragilariasp．）和沙角衣藻（Chlamydomonas sajao）等单细胞蓝绿藻生长的抑制效应。铜离子投入量参考污水综合排放标准,综合考虑水生动物和藻类的耐铜毒性范围,在较低的范围内设置4个水平：100、150、200、250μg铜离子每升藻类培养液。研究结果表明,与不同水平铜离子混合后,种植水的抑藻效应出现4种情况,（1）被消除,100μg·L-1铜离子加入后,马来眼子菜种植水对脆杆藻、苦草种植水对铜绿微囊藻的抑制作用被消除。（2）被削弱,马来眼子菜种植水在加入100μg·L-1和150嵋·一铜离子2种情况下,对铜绿微囊藻抑制作用被削弱,加入200μg·L-1铜离子后,对脆杆藻抑制作用被削弱;苦草种植水在加入150μg·L-1铜离子后,对铜绿微囊藻的抑制被削弱。（3）无变化,马来眼子菜种植水,分别加入200μg·L-1和250μg·L-1铜离子后,对铜绿微囊藻抑制效应不受影响,分别加入150μg·L-1和250μg·L-1铜离子,对脆杆藻抑制效应不受影响;苦草种植水,加入150μg·L-1铜离子后,对铜绿微囊藻抑制效应不受影响,加入100μg·L-1和150μg·L-1铜离子后,对沙角抑藻的抑制效应不受影响。（4）被强化,苦草种植水,分别加入200μg·L-1和250μg·L-1铜离子后,对铜绿微囊藻、沙角抑藻的抑制效应均被强化。沉水植物化感抑藻物质主要是小分子的有机物,包括各种有机酸,而铜离子极易和水中的有机物发生络合反应．可能是铜离子与种植水中某些抑藻化感物质发生络合反应导致其抑藻效应受到影响．具体机制有待进一步研究。     

淇河河南段的水生植物区系及沉水植物群落特征

淇河是海河流域漳卫河水系卫河最大支流,是河南省特有名贵优质鱼类——淇河鲫(Qihecruciancarp Carassiusauratus)的原产地.于2014-2015年对淇河河南段12个样点水生植物区系和沉水植物群落特征开展了4次研究.共发现常见水生植物物种49种,隶属25科42属,其中沉水植物12种,漂浮植物3种,浮叶植物1种,挺水植物10种,湿生植物23种.区系分析发现河南段水生植被呈隐域性和热带向北温带过渡的亚热带特征,植物种属以世界分布属为主,其次是北温带分布属和泛热带分布属,分别占总数的45.24%、19.04%和16.67%;这42属水生植物共有中国种子植物所占15个地理分布区类型中的8个,缺少7个.喜旱莲子草(Alternanthera philoxeroides)和水鳖(Hydrocharis dubia)分布广泛,局部堵塞罗玉村河道;沉水植物群落以轮藻(Chara vulgaris)、金鱼藻(Ceratophyllum demersum)、穿叶眼子菜(Potamogeton perfoliatus)、菹草(Potamogeton crispus)为优势种,几乎分布在各个样点,但在污染较重(盘石头水库出口和石河岸村)或受工程影响较大河段(王洞村和大来店村)种类组成较单一,群落结构较简单.总之,淇河河南段水生植物群落结构不合理、地理成分复杂程度偏低且具明显隐域性.淇河河南段水生植物保护与恢复迫在眉睫,这对保护该河段水环境质量和淇河鲫野生资源尤为重要.(图3表4参46附图1附表1)     

温度、pH值及盐度对龙须眼子菜吸附镉、铅的影响

以龙须眼子菜(Potamogeton pectinatus)干样为材料,研究了不同温度、pH值和盐度对龙须眼子菜吸附镉、铅离子的影响.结果表明,不同温度及不同pH值下龙须眼子菜对镉吸附符合Langmuir模型,对铅的吸附符合Freundlich模型.与5 ℃、10 ℃、30 ℃处理相比,20 ℃时龙须眼子菜对镉、铅的吸附能力较强.当其它条件不变时,在pH值为3～7的范围内,龙须眼子菜对镉的吸附随pH值升高而增加,对铅的吸附随pH值升高而减少.在0.5～10 g·L-1的盐度范围内,随着溶液盐度的增加龙须眼子菜对镉吸附减少,但对铅的吸附却增加.龙须眼子菜是一种对镉、铅有很强的吸附能力的沉水植物,对温度、酸碱度、盐度适应范围也很广,因而可作为生物吸附剂用于含镉、含铅废水的处理.     

Maximizing the phylogenetic diversity of seed banks

Ex situ conservation efforts such as those of zoos, botanical gardens, and seed banks will form a vital complement to in situ conservation actions over the coming decades. It is therefore necessary to pay the same attention to the biological diversity represented in ex situ conservation facilities as is often paid to protected‐area networks. Building the phylogenetic diversity of ex situ collections will strengthen our capacity to respond to biodiversity loss. Since 2000, the Millennium Seed Bank Partnership has banked seed from 14% of the world's plant species. We assessed the taxonomic, geographic, and phylogenetic diversity of the Millennium Seed Bank collection of legumes (Leguminosae). We compared the collection with all known legume genera, their known geographic range (at country and regional levels), and a genus‐level phylogeny of the legume family constructed for this study. Over half the phylogenetic diversity of legumes at the genus level was represented in the Millennium Seed Bank. However, pragmatic prioritization of species of economic importance and endangerment has led to the banking of a less‐than‐optimal phylogenetic diversity and prioritization of range‐restricted species risks an underdispersed collection. The current state of the phylogenetic diversity of legumes in the Millennium Seed Bank could be substantially improved through the strategic banking of relatively few additional taxa. Our method draws on tools that are widely applied to in situ conservation planning, and it can be used to evaluate and improve the phylogenetic diversity of ex situ collections. Maximizar la Riqueza Filogenética de los Bancos de Semillas     

Controversial sectors in banks’ sustainability reporting

Albeit indirectly, through its lending and investing, the financial sector can contribute substantially to achieve sustainable development. One of such practices concerns investment on or financing of entities that deal with environmentally or socially sensitive transactions (gambling, tobacco, alcohol, arms, etc.). Although there is a wealth of literature on banks’ CSR and its reporting, one can count on the fingers of one hand the studies mentioning explicitly these issue. What is more, this CSR practice gets treated only cursorily in these few studies. This study focuses on the communication of information on investment and financing of firms from controversial sectors in banks’ sustainability reports. We begin by examining whether financial institutions in our sample report having such policies or not. Then, we investigate what kind of policies are reported. In addition, this study seeks to capture the influence of national culture and firm-specific characteristics (type of property, listing status and multinationality) on the reporting of such issues. Ordinal regression analysis is used to analyse the relation of these factors with such reporting. Our findings suggest that the disclosure of information on policies regarding investment on and financing of firms from controversial sectors is not widespread, and the organizations reporting policies of total exclusion of some sectors or projects on ethical grounds are few. This study may encourage more detailed analyses of the type of CSR policies examined and of their impacts. It also may be of utility to banks by raising awareness about the need to consider these issues.     

Landslides into reservoirs and their impacts on banks

Mass wasting processes, like slope failures, on the margins of dam reservoirs, lakes, bays and oceans may generate large water waves that can produce disasters due to flooding over the banks, run up along the shoreline and overtopping dam crests. Therefore, the study of slope failures, the subsequent generation of impulse waves and their consequences are of paramount importance for safety. In this paper the generation and propagation of water waves in reservoirs induced by landslides and their impact on banks were investigated by means of a laboratory study carried out at University of Coimbra wave channel, in a flume measuring 12.0 m  ×  1.5 m  ×  1.0 m (L  ×  H  ×  W), where two banks with variable slope were placed. The study considered the sliding of calcareous blocks over a sliding slope bank into the reservoir, the generation of impulse waves, their propagation in the reservoir and their impact on the downstream bank. A number of waves were generated by different fallings of calcareous blocks, considering different volumes, sliding slopes, initial positions and reservoir depths. All fallings were recorded by video-camera and the results were processed afterwards to obtain the time history of the falling. The water surface variations due to transient waves were measured at five gauges placed between the banks. The waves overtopping and breaking on the downstream bank were also filmed using a video camera, and the hydrodynamic forces on this bank were also measured using four pressure transducers.     

Habitat and reef-fish assemblages of banks in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

The moderately deep terraces and banks of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) were surveyed to describe their habitat and reef-fish assemblages. These tracts of bottom at 30–40 m comprise more than 4,500 km² of the regions reef area. The habitat was found to be dominated by algal meadows (65% cover of exposed bottom), with infrequent relief features. Annual monitoring of select stations for 4 years at Necker Bank indicated that the relative difference in algal abundance between stations persisted from year to year (at least in summer). Temperature records from year-long deployments of archival thermistors in high-cover (>70%) and low-cover (<30%) algal biotopes were indistinguishable, providing no explanation of the algal differences between stations. At all banks, Microdictyon was the primary alga, averaging 1.22 kg/m². In spite of the extensive standing primary production, and a historical lack of fishing, bank reef-fish populations were impoverished. Mean densities, sizes, and biomass of trophic groups were considerably less than values reported for NWHI reef shallows. An overall mean biomass was estimated at 22.5 g/m², which is a fifth of that reported for shallow reefs of the region. Fish biomass of all trophic groups was associated with the few sources of relief available on the banks. Apex predators (sharks, jacks, and snappers), common on all surveys (with a mean of five per station), were proposed to constrain fish populations to sparse sources of relief resulting in a skewed size structure of the two primary fish trophic components. Sizes of lower-level carnivores were tightly correlated with sources of relief whereas the size of herbivores were not, indicating that herbivores more often venture out and risk the exposed algal meadows. These bank summits are a rare example of a near pristine reef system with high benthic primary productivity and low fish biomass, and are a stark contrast to shallower coral-reef ecosystems of the NWHI.Communicated by P.W. Sammarco, Chauvin     

Global assessment of the biodiversity safeguards of development banks that finance infrastructure

Infrastructure development is a major driver of biodiversity loss globally. With upward of US$2.5 trillion in annual investments in infrastructure, the financial sector indirectly drives this biodiversity loss. At the same time, biodiversity safeguards (project-level biodiversity impact mitigation requirements) of infrastructure financiers can help limit this damage. The coverage and harmonization of biodiversity safeguards are important factors in their effectiveness and therefore warrant scrutiny. It is equally important to examine the extent to which these safeguards align with best-practice principles for biodiversity impact mitigation outlined in international policies, such as that of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. We assessed the biodiversity safeguards of public development banks and development finance institutions for coverage, harmonization, and alignment with best practice. We used Institute of New Structural Economics and Agence Française de Développement's global database to identify development banks that invest in high-biodiversity-footprint infrastructure and have over US$500 million in assets. Of the 155 banks, 42% (n = 65) had biodiversity safeguards. Of the existing safeguards, 86% (56 of 65) were harmonized with International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standard 6 (PS6). The IFC PS6 (and by extension the 56 safeguard policies harmonized with it) had high alignment with international best practice in biodiversity impact mitigation, whereas the remaining 8 exhibited partial alignment, incorporating few principles that clarify the conditions for effective biodiversity offsetting. Given their dual role in setting benchmarks and leveraging private finance, infrastructure financiers in development finance need to adopt best-practice biodiversity safeguards if the tide of global biodiversity loss is to be stemmed. The IFC PS6, if strengthened, can act as a useful template for other financier safeguards. The high degree of harmonization among safeguards is promising, pointing to a potential for diffusion of practices.     

Decapod and stomatopod assemblages on a system of seagrass-covered mud banks in Florida Bay

The latticework of seagrass-covered mud banks in Florida Bay, Florida Keys, USA, divides the bay into distinct subenvironments and supports a robust seagrass community subject to pronounced physical stress. Throw-trap sampling of decapods and stomatopods during 1984 and 1985 (December–April, May–August and September–November of each year) showed that bank sides exposed to turbulence had low abundance but similar species richness to that of bank tops and sheltered sides. The fauna was more Gulf-Carolinean than Antillean. The crustacean communities of the different subenvironments, however, were distinct, with both Antillean and temperate assemblages represented and with one isolated area markedly depauperate. The two subenvironments adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico had the greatest densities. Multiple-regression techniques suggested that vegetational habitat characteristics played a secondary role compared to various physical factors. We hypothesize that (1) restricted circulation (compounded by winter cold-fronts or other seasonal causes of density minima), (2) juxtaposed faunal provinces, and (3) the wider salinity range of the isolated regions of the bay were primarily responsible for the strikingly different communities of the various subenvironments.     

Assessment of metal contamination in soil banks of the Rhumel wadi (Northeast Algeria)

Levels of six trace metals were assessed in bank soils of the Rhumel wadi (Northeast Algeria) and their association with soil properties was investigated. Samples were collected at 10 sites. The soils are neutral to moderately alkaline, have high contents of carbonate, and are low in organic carbon and clay. Mean metal concentrations are 1.1 (Cd), 63 (Cr), 20 (Cu), 26 (Ni), 31 (Pb), and 98 (Zn) mg kg^?1. The Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn contents in soil from sites closest to Constantine City were higher than in uncontaminated soils worldwide, indicating accumulation due to human activities (residential, industrial, and agricultural). Statistical analyses (correlation and principal component analysis) demonstrated that Cd, Pb, and Zn are of anthropogenic origin in the urban areas, whereas Cr and Cu enrichment in some situations is caused by industrial activities, while Ni was geogenic.     

Geosynthetics in protection against erosion for river and coastal banks and marine and hydraulic construction

Geosynthetic products offer owners, engineers, and contractors a safe and economical solution to everyday engineering challenges and construction requirements. Used as replacements to natural materials, geosynthetic products include a wide range of functions such as filtration, drainage, separation and reinforcement requirements. The wide range of geosynthetic use includes landfill caps and base liner applications, environmental protection under roads and railways, containment structures, dams, canals, ponds, rivers and lakes, coastal and offshore protection. However, their potential in other applications is only limited by convention. With the use of geosynthetics, most geotechnical structures can be improved and the design lifetime can be dramatically increased. Additionally new modern design approaches are often only possible with the use of geosynthetics. Because of the strong development of the various industries all around the world the development and challenge of the use of geosynthetics in geotechnical, hydraulic, coastal and offshore engineering should be of special interest. Based on engineering approaches and installed projects, this paper will cover the state-of-the-art of geosynthetics use in environmental applications, as well as in hydraulic, coastal protection and offshore engineering structures and also discuss the benefits of geosynthetics to modern building technology.     

Species richness in a riparian plant community along the banks of the Xiangxi River,the Three Gorges region

The distribution of vascular plant species richness along an altitudinal gradient and their relationships with environmental variables, including slope, aspect, bank (flooding) height, and river width of the Xiangxi River, Hubei Province, were examined. Total vascular plant species richness changed with elevation: it increased at lower elevations, reached a maximum in the midreaches and decreased thereafter. In particular, tree and herbaceous species richness were related to altitude. Correlation analysis (Kendall's τ) between species richness and environmental variables indicated that the change in species richness in the riparian zone was determined by riparian environmental factors and characteristics of regional vegetation distribution along the altitudinal gradient. The low species richness at lower elevations resulted from seasonal flooding and human activities – agriculture and fuel collection – and the higher species richness in the midreaches reflected transitional zones in natural vegetation types that had had little disturbance. These results on species distribution in the riparian community could be utilized as a reference for restoration efforts to improve water quality of the emerging reservoir resulting from the Three Gorges Hydroelectric Dam project.     

Assessment of metals in soil extracts and their uptake and movement within Tamarix nilotica at Lake Nasser banks, Egypt

This study aims to determine heavy-metal levels in soil from the banks of Lake Nasser, the ability of Tamarix nilotica to accumulate such metals from soil and hence its potential for phytoextraction. Soil and Tamarix samples were collected from the banks of four bights around Lake Nasser and analysed for Fe, Mn, Ca, Mg, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, Cd and Pb by atomic absorption spectrometry, whereas Na and K were measured by atomic emission spectrophotometry. Three different methods of extraction were used for the soil samples. Lead, copper and zinc were equally distributed between the exchangeable phase and Fe/Mn oxide-bound form, while other measured metals were mainly present in the Fe/Mn oxide fraction. With the exception of iron, all metals studied showed total concentrations within the geochemical background values. T. nilotica exhibited elevated concentrations of Na (36.2-48.5 mg g^-1) and K (2.74-4.33 mg g^-1) in stems, and relatively high concentrations of Pb, Cd and Co (0.39-1.03 µg g^-1, 0.24-1.3 µg g^-1 and 1.94-5.3 µg g^-1, respectively) are found in plant leaves. Bioaccumulation factors of Na and K (9.3 and 12.63, respectively) were high in T. nilotica stems. While the bioaccumulation of Pb, Cd, Co and Ni (2870.1, 2035.4, 10.5 and 5313.2, respectively) was high in plant leaves, Fe, Mn, Ca and Mg were accumulated relatively equally in plant stems and leaves. T. nilotica was found to secrete high amounts of Na, Ca and K, in addition to small amounts of all accumulated metals except Cd and Cu. These secreted metals appeared as salt crystals (67.5% Na; 25.8% Ca; 5% Mg; 1.5% K and 0.16% trace and minor elements) on the plant surface. The concentrations of all the metals studied in T. nilotica were higher than in the salt crystals. Statistical analysis of the database suggests bioaccumulation of these metals from soil to T. nilotica. This reflects the importance of using T. nilotica as a model in the phytoremediation process as an established environmental clean-up technology.