不同灌溉模式对稻田土壤及糙米重金属积累的影响

为探讨降低土壤和糙米重金属的灌溉模式, 选取江西省萍乡地区的中度重金属污染稻田, 研究了灌浆期习惯性灌溉(间歇性灌溉)和长期淹水灌溉2种灌溉模式对水稻产量、糙米重金属及土壤理化性质的影响。结果表明: 与习惯性灌溉相比, 长期淹水灌溉条件下的水稻产量降低1.25%; 糙米Cd和Pb含量分别降低42.79%和3.70%, 其中糙米Cr含量显著降低44.81%, 但糙米Hg含量显著增加200%, 糙米无机As含量增加3.29%; 土壤Cd含量降低38.77%, 其中土壤有效态Cd含量和阳离子交换量显著降低72.08%和36.71%, 但土壤pH和有机质增加0.97%和6.32%; 同时相关性分析发现糙米Cr含量与土壤有机质呈显著负相关, 与阳离子交换量呈显著正相关, 糙米Hg含量与土壤有效态Cd含量和阳离子交换量呈极显著负相关。长期淹水灌溉可有效降低污染稻田土壤Cd进入水稻, 实现水稻安全生产, 但会增加糙米Hg积累和减产。     

绿洲土Cd、Pb、Zn、Ni复合污染下重金属的形态特征和生物有效性

通过模拟基于干旱区绿洲土壤Cd-Pb-Zn-Ni复合污染下的油菜盆栽试验,采用Tessier五步连续浸提法探究了重金属复合污染对油菜生长的影响及其各形态的转化归趋和生物有效性.结果显示,随着Cd-Pb-Zn-Ni复合胁迫水平的升高,油菜的干重先增加后减小,根系的生长由促进作用转变为抑制作用;对照土壤中4种重金属元素均以残渣态为主要赋存形态,可交换态的含量均很小;随着外源重金属的添加,油菜种植土壤中4种重金属元素的各形态含量随之增加,Cd、Pb、Zn的可交换态和Ni的碳酸盐结合态对外界胁迫响应强度最大,Cd、Pb、Zn、Ni的活性增加,且Cd、Pb的主要赋存形态迅速转变为碳酸盐结合态和铁锰氧化态,Zn的主要赋存形态由残渣态和碳酸盐结合态过渡到碳酸盐结合态和铁锰氧化态,Ni的主要赋存形态为碳酸盐结合态;Cd、Zn在茎叶中的含量大于根系,Pb、Ni反之,油菜能将Cd、Zn更多的运输至茎叶,Pb、Ni则主要积累在根系;油菜茎叶吸收Cd和油菜各部位吸收Zn的主要贡献形态为可交换态,根吸收Cd的主要贡献形态由可交换态转变为有机结合态,根吸收Pb和油菜各部位吸收Ni的主要贡献形态为碳酸盐结合态.     

施用污泥对土壤重金属形态分布和生物有效性的影响

采用盆栽技术和BCR连续浸提法研究了污泥的添加对土壤Cd、Pb、Cu和Zn形态分布的影响及重金属在黑麦草-施污泥土壤中迁移转化规律.结果表明:污泥的添加使土壤中生物有效态的Cd和Zn含量显著增加,生物有效态Pb含量显著降低,残渣态Pb的比例较CK增加了33.3％～74.5％,而可交换态和可还原态Cu含量在污泥与土壤添加比为1∶1时,仅占总量的0.7％和0.2％.污泥的添加能促进黑麦草对Cd、Cu和Zn的吸收,抑制对Pb的吸收.多元线性回归分析结果表明,黑麦草体内Cd、Zn和Cu含量分别与土壤中可还原态Cd、Zn和可氧化态Cu含量存在正相关,草体中Pb的含量则受土壤中可交换态和可氧化态Pb含量共同影响.种植黑麦草后根际土中可氧化态Cd和Cu分别向可交换态Cd和残渣态Cu转化,可交换态和可还原态Zn向可氧化态Zn转化,Pb的生物有效性基本未受影响.     

稻麦轮作下水稻土重金属形态特征及其生物有效性

在成都平原稻麦轮作下86个土样中重金属全量和各形态含量分析的基础上,采集分析相应点位上种植的主要粮食作物小麦和水稻籽粒的重金属含量,通过描述性统计分析、相关性分析及线性回归方程的模拟,研究了土壤中重金属的形态分布特征及其生物有效性。统计分析结果表明：土壤中Cr、Cu、Pb、Zn各形态含量的分配顺序为：残渣态〉有机物结合态〉铁锰氧化物结合态〉碳酸盐结合态〉可交换态,而Cd各形态含量的分配顺序为：铁锰氧化物结合态〉残渣态〉碳酸盐结合态〉有机物结合态〉可交换态。若以活性态（非残渣态含量）而论,Cd的活性最高,Cr的活性最低。除Cr外,各元素全量与各活性形态之间的关系较为密切。土壤中全Cd含量与4种活性形态Cd含量间的相关性均达极显著水平;Cu、Zn全量分别与其铁锰氧化物和有机物结合态含量,Pb全量分别与其可交换态和铁锰氧化物含量间的相关系数达显著或极显著水平。用卫生部颁布的食品中重金属限量卫生标准评价稻麦籽粒重金属累积情况,其结果表明,小麦籽粒（旱作）中的Cd、Cr、Cu、Pb分别超标14.71%、8.70%、6.50%和17.40%,而水稻籽粒（水作）仅有Pb和Cd含量超标10.90%和8.70%。不同形态重金属对水稻和小麦籽粒中重金属累积的影响效应不同，从多元线性回归方程的回归系数来看：稻一麦籽粒中Cd含量受到土壤中各活性形态Cd含量的影响。除铁锰氧化态Cd和有机物结合态Cd含量分别对小麦和水稻籽粒中Cd的累积表现出负效应外，其余均为正效应。可交换态Cu含量对稻-麦籽粒Cu累积的效应最大，其次受碳酸盐结合态Cu含量的影响。稻一麦籽粒Pb含量的累积受土壤各活性态Pb含量影响效应的差异不甚明显。稻-麦籽粒Zn含量与土壤各活性态Zn含量间无显著线性关系。     

北京东郊作物土壤系统中重金属的迁移、分布、积累

 本文研究了北京东郊污灌区重金属在作物—土壤中的迁移、分布、积累规律,证实本区蔬菜中汞含量比粮食作物约大3—15倍,比水果约大6—200倍。麦粒、糙米中的Cu、Hg、Cd、Pb、Ni的含量与土壤含量相关性不显著。架豆中重金属含量与土壤中重金属含量的相关性,只有Zn,Pb达显著水平。白菜土有机质含量与重金属含量相关性达显著水平,而白菜的重金属含量与土壤的重金属含量相关性却不显著。说明除了土壤中重金属的总量外,有效态含量的多少,是影响本区作物吸收积累重金属的主要因素。 本区施污泥的土壤和生长的作物Cd／Zn大部小于1%、盆栽试验证明：施用本区污泥污水对水稻生长发育的影响比施污泥灌清水的影响大些,因此,施用含重金属污泥时,最好不要超过5000斤／亩。大田和室内模拟试验证明：重金属从土壤中迁移到植物,由植物带走输出的量极少,其中以带走输出的Hg、Cd,As相对较多,带走输出的Pb、Cr相对的少些。     

贵州独山锑矿区土壤-头花蓼系统中重金属的分布特征

通过野外调查采样,分析贵州独山锑矿区土壤6种重金属(Sb、As、Cd、Zn、Pb、Mn)含量及其在头花蓼不同部位的分布特征。结果表明:矿区土壤Sb、As、Cd、Zn、Pb和Mn的平均含量分别为1566.55、23.98、1.21、117.81、34.27和460.98 mg·kg-1,Sb、As、Cd、Zn含量分别为贵州省土壤背景值的699.35、1.20、4.88和1.18倍,且土壤中Sb与As呈显著正相关性(P0.05),具有同源性。内梅罗综合污染指数法评价表明,矿区土壤重金属污染指数为112.75~1295.22(平均500.37),为重度污染水平。头花蓼在锑矿区污染土壤中具有较强的耐受性,且Sb、Mn在头花蓼各部位的含量分布分别为根叶茎花、叶花根茎,As、Cd、Zn、Pb无明显规律。矿区头花蓼各部位的As、Cd、Pb含量均未超过《中医药-中草药重金属限量》国际标准值,但该矿区头花蓼中的Sb对人体的健康存在一定健康风险。     

芜湖钢铁厂周边土壤及油菜籽中镉、铜、锌、铅含量和形态分布研究

研究了污染土壤、油菜籽中Cd、Cu、Zn、Pb含量、形态分布特征和重金属富集状况及可能存在的生物毒性.结果表明,土壤中Cd、Zn、Pb以铁锰氧化物结合态、Cu以残留态占5种形态最高比例,分别为31.1%、39.3%、53.79%、46.24%;Cd、Pb交换态比例较高,为23.47%、16.32%,Cu、Zn的交换态比例较小,为3.14%、0.54%;土壤中不同重金属与各重金属形态相关关系有差别,5种重金属形态转化为有效态重金属难易程度不同;油菜籽和油菜籽壳中不同重金属累积趋势有差异,Cu易在油菜籽壳中累积,Cd、Zn、Pb易在油菜籽中累积;油菜籽中不同重金属累积率不同,Cd累积率最高,为0.56.油菜籽中重金属累积率与土壤中重金属总量呈显著负相关关系(P＜0.05),土壤中重金属的形态、转化差异是此种负相关关系的主要原因;油菜籽中Cd、Cu、Pb以氯化钠态为主,分别为32.50%、22.94%、34.69%,Zn以EDTA态为主,为45.97%.油菜籽中重金属形态可能影响其毒性,但其毒性的人类膳食风险还需进一步研究证实.油菜籽中重金属形态与油菜中重金属总量相关性不好.     

强还原过程对设施菜地土壤重金属形态转化的影响

设施菜地由于污水灌溉、粪肥施用等导致重金属污染.本文通过土柱淹水同时添加玉米秸秆培养和后期通水淋洗,研究强还原法对设施土壤重金属(Cd、Cu、Pb和Zn)形态转化的影响.结果表明: 强还原处理使土壤pH显著降低,玉米秸秆处理变化更显著;土壤氧化还原电位(Eh)迅速下降至-280 mV左右.玉米秸秆处理可以促进土壤中Cd、Cu、Pb和Zn活化,第9天土壤中有机物及硫化物结合态和残渣态Cd、Cu、Pb和Zn含量比重下降;至15 d培养结束,土壤中4种重金属含量较对照分别减少18.1%、19.0%、16.1%和15.7%.玉米秸秆处理可以增加土壤中Cd和Zn的溶出量,但是Cu的溶出量减少;胶体结合态Cd和Pb含量较对照增加、Cu较对照显著减少、Zn没有显著变化.强还原可以引起设施土壤重金属活化,提高蔬菜积累重金属的风险,而且其随土壤水分的运移可能导致水体的污染.     

205国道两侧农田土壤和水稻叶片及糙米中重金属含量的空间分布特征

对205国道无林带典型路段东西两侧200 m范围内的农田表层土壤、稻(Oryza sativa L. )叶及糙米中Al、Cd、Cr、Cu、Fe、Ni、Pb、Zn和As的含量及空间分布规律进行了分析研究.结果表明,205国道两侧农田表层土壤中Cd、Cr、Cu、Ni、Pb和Zn的含量达到土壤环境质量一级标准(GB15618-1995),As含量超过土壤环境质量三级标准.西侧表层土壤中的Al、Cr、Fe、Ni、Zn和As含量,稻叶中的Al、Cd、Cr、Fe和Ni含量及糙米中的Al、Cd、Cr、Cu、Fe和Ni含量均比东侧高,表明路西侧受汽车尾气扩散沉降影响比东侧明显,并与该路段主风向为偏东风有关;西侧表层土壤中的Ni和Zn含量及东侧表层土壤中的Cd含量、西侧稻叶中的Al和Zn含量、西侧糙米中的Fe含量和东侧糙米中的Al含量均有随路侧距离增加而显著递减的规律,负相关关系显著或极显著;稻叶和糙米中某些重金属的含量有明显的峰值区域,均位于路侧10～20 m区域内,并与土壤中的含量有显著或极显著的正相关关系;在糙米中未检出As,且Al、Cd、Cr、Cu和Zn含量均未超出国家食品卫生标准,但部分样本Ni和Pb含量略有超标.主成分分析结果显示,稻叶中的Pb主要来源于土壤,而稻叶中其他重金属含量明显受到公路环境污染物扩散沉降影响.研究结果显示,重金属元素已在205国道两侧的农田表层土壤中显著累积,其中As的积累最严重;稻叶和糙米中重金属的含量水平明显受到公路汽车尾气扩散沉降的影响,且扩散沉降集中在距离公路边缘10～20 m的区域内.     

根瘤菌对土壤铜、锌和镉形态分配的影响

以湖南郴州红壤和河北巩义褐土为供试土壤。制备Cu、Zn、Cd污染土壤。接种大豆根瘤菌(Rhi-zobium fredii)HN01,用连续提取法浸提土壤中不同形态的重金属．结果表明。褐土接种根瘤菌后固相结合态Zn总量降低10％。专性吸附态、氧化锰结合态和有机结合态Zn减少达9％～26％．红壤中结合态Zn的总量变化不显著,但专性吸附态和氧化锰结合态Zn含量显著减少。交换态Zn含量显著增加．褐土中接种根瘤菌抑制了Cu向土壤溶液的释放,固相结合态Cu总量增加18％,可交换态、专性吸附态、氧化锰结合态和有机结合态的Cu增加20％～54％．接种根瘤菌对土壤中Cd的溶解没有明显的抑制或促进作用,但改变了红壤中各形态Cd的含量高低顺序．Cd污染红壤中可交换态和有机结合态Cd含量分别增加22％和11％,专性吸附态和氧化锰结合态Cd分别减少14％和29％．根瘤菌对不同类型重金属及不同土壤中重金属形态影响的差异主要与土壤pH降低有关．     

Heavy metal accumulation in plants grown in heavily polluted soils

In a polluted area, samples of soils and plants were collected and analyzed in order to assess the mobility and accumulation of Cd, Pb and Zn in plants as influenced by the of different metal forms in soil. Metals were accumulated in roots. Metal mobility in plants decreased in the order Zn>Cd>Pb; it was generally lower in heavily polluted areas. The content of all the three metals in plant roots correlated with topsoil concentration of their 2 mol/L HNO₃-extractable forms. Besides, Cd and Zn correlated with exchangeable and Zn also with the organic form content. The concentration factor as a measure of metal mobility from soil to plants decreased with increasing level of contamination. Presented at the 4th Mini-Symposium on Biosorption and Microbial Degradation, Prague, Czech Republic, November 26–29, 1996.     

Effects of Cadmium and Mixed Heavy Metals on Rice Growth in Liaoning,China

Joint effects of Cd and other heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Zn and As) on the growth and development of rice plants and the uptake of these heavy metals by rice were studied using the pot-culture method combined with chemical and statistical analyses. The results showed that the growth and development of rice plants were strongly influenced by the double-element combined pollution. There was an average decrease in the height of rice plants of 4.0–5.0 cm, and grain yield was decreased by 20.0–30.0%, compared with the control. The uptake of Cd by rice plants was promoted due to the interactions between Cd and the other heavy metals added to the soil. The Cd concentration in roots, stems/leaves and seeds increased 31.6–47.7, 16.7–61.5 and 19.6–78.6%, respectively. Due to interactions, uptake of Pb, Cu and Zn by roots and stems/leaves was inhibited, accumulation of Pb, Cu and Zn in seeds was increased, uptake of As by roots was promoted and uptake of As by stems/leaves was inhibited. In particular, the upward transporting ability of the heavy metals absorbed by rice plants was significantly increased.     

EDTA enhanced heavy metal phytoextraction: metal accumulation,leaching and toxicity

Synthetic chelates such as ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) have been shown to enhance phytoextraction of some heavy metals from contaminated soil. In a soil column study, we examined the effect of EDTA on the uptake of Pb, Zn and Cd by Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa), mobilization and leaching of heavy metals and the toxicity effects of EDTA additions on plants. The most effective was a single dose of 10 mmol EDTA kg^–1 soil where we detected Pb, Zn and Cd concentrations that were 104.6, 3.2 and 2.3-times higher in the aboveground plant biomass compared to the control treatments. The same EDTA addition decreased the concentration of Pb, Zn and Cd in roots of tested plants by 41, 71 and 69%, respectively compared to concentrations in the roots of control plants. In columns treated with 10 mmol kg^–1 EDTA, up to 37.9, 10.4 and 56.3% of initial total Pb, Zn and Cd in soil were leached down the soil profile, suggesting high solubility of heavy metals-EDTA complexes. EDTA treatment had a strong phytotoxic effect on the red clover (Trifolium pratense) in bioassay experiment. Moreover, the high dose EDTA additions inhibited the development of arbuscular mycorrhiza. The results of phospholipid fatty acid analyses indicated toxic effects of EDTA on soil fungi and increased environmental stress of soil microfauna.     

Effects of Municipal Sewage Sludge Doses on the Chlorophyll Contents and Heavy Metal Concentration of Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris var. saccharifera)

The present study was conducted to assess the suitability of sewage sludge amendment (SSA) in soil for Beta vulgaris var. saccharifera (sugar beet) by evaluating the heavy metal accumulation and physiological responses of plants grown at a 10%, 25%, and 50% sewage sludge amendment rate. The sewage sludge amendment was modified by the physicochemical properties of soil, thus increasing the availability of heavy metals in the soil and consequently increasing accumulation in plant parts. Cd, Pb, Ni, and Cu concentrations in roots were significantly higher in plants grown at 25% as compared to 50% SSA; however, Cr and Zn concentration was higher at 50% than 25% SSA. The concentrations of heavy metal showed a trend of Zn > Ni > Cu > Cr > Pb > Cd in roots and Zn > Cu > Ni > Cr > Pb > Cd in leaves. The only instance in which the chlorophyll content did not increase after the sewage sludge treatments was 50%. There were approximately 1.12-fold differences between the control and 50% sewage sludge application for chlorophyll content. The sewage sludge amendment led to a significant increase in Pb, Cr, Cd, Cu, Zn, and Ni concentrations of the soil. The heavy metal accumulation in the soil after the treatments did not exceed the limits for the land application of sewage sludge recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). The increased concentration of heavy metals in the soil due to the sewage sludge amendment led to increases in heavy metal uptake and the leaf and root concentrations of Ni, Zn, Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb, and Zn in plants as compared to those grown on unamended soil. More accumulation occurred in roots and leaves than in shoots for most of the heavy metals. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, and Pb were more than the permissible limits of national standards in the edible portion of sugar beet grown on different sewage sludge amendment ratios. The study concludes that the sewage sludge amendment in the soil for growing sugar beet may not be a good option due to risk of contamination of Cr, Pb, and Cd.     

EFFECTS OF INOCULATION WITH ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI ON MAIZE GROWN IN MULTI-METAL CONTAMINATED SOILS

Pot culture experiments were established to determine the effects of colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) (Glomus mosseae and G. sp) on maize (Zea mays L.) grown in Pb, Zn, and Cd complex contaminated soils. AMF and non-AMF inoculated maize were grown in sterilized substrates and subjected to different soil heavy metal (Pb, Zn, Cd) concentrations. The root and shoot biomasses of inoculated maize were significantly higher than those of non-inoculated maize. Pb, Zn, and Cd concentrations in roots were significantly higher than those in shoots in both the inoculated and non-inoculated maize, indicating the heavy metals mostly accumulated in the roots of maize. The translocation rates of Pb, Zn, and Cd from roots to shoots were not significantly difference between inoculated and non-inoculated maize. However, at high soil heavy metal concentrations, Pb, Zn, and Cd in the shoots and Pb in the roots of inoculated maize were significantly reduced by about 50% compared to the non-inoculated maize. These results indicated that AMF could promote maize growth and decrease the uptake of these heavy metals at higher soil concentrations, thus protecting their hosts from the toxicity of heavy metals in Pb, Zn, and Cd complex contaminated soils.     

Heavy metal localisation in mycorrhizas ofEpipactis atrorubens (Hoffm.) Besser (Orchidaceae) from zinc mine tailings

Summary The metal distribution within mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal roots ofEpipactis atrorubens collected from zinc mine tailings and an area rich in heavy metal ores (both located in southern Poland) was investigated. The tailings, consisting of postflotation material, were characterised by high levels of toxic elements such as Zn, Pb, and Cd, while soil outside the tailings was also strongly enriched in heavy metals. Atomic absorption spectrometry and proton-induced X-ray emission analysis revealed that heavy metals were mostly accumulated within orchid roots. Elemental maps from proton-induced X-ray emission showed that plant root epidermis and fungal coils which had developed within cortical cells of roots collected from the zinc mine tailings were the main places of Zn and Pb accumulation, associated with increased concentrations of Fe, Cd, Ti, Mn, Si, Ca, and S. The mean content of Pb and Zn in the coils was 4 to 5 times higher than in the root epidermis. In mycorrhizal roots from the tailings a statistically significant decrease in Pb and Zn content towards the inside of the root was observed. The mean content of Pb in coils from roots of plants growing outside the tailings was about 1% of the concentration in root coils from the tailings. Coils selected from orchid roots originating from a site outside the tailings contained comparatively high concentrations of Zn, Cd, and Cu, which was probably due to the high content of these elements in the soil. The results presented suggest a biofiltering effect against heavy metals by orchid mycorrhizal fungi.     

Preliminary study on heavy metals contamination of soil using solid phase speciation and the influence on groundwater in Bozanta–Baia Mare Area,Romania

Abstract

A preliminary study on soil contamination with heavy metals and As based on solid phase speciation according to the Tessier scheme and the influence on groundwater in an area under anthropogenic influence (Bozanta-Baia Mare, Romania) was conducted. The partitioning of Al, As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn in five fractions is discussed in relation to soil characteristics, pH, organic matter content, mineralogical composition and distribution of the same elements in airborne particulate matter. The airborne particulate matter contains high quantities of As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn as exchangeable fraction. The sequential extraction carried out on soil samples revealed the main role of Fe-Mn oxides surface in the immobilization of metals. Organic matter has a specific role in complexation of Cu, Pb, As and Al, since high contents of these metals were recovered in the oxidizable fraction. Cadmium has a high selectivity for carbonate minerals. The amendment of soil with natural fertilizer increases the exchangeable fraction of metals with the highest toxicity. The available fraction for plants (exchangeable + carbonate-bound species) exceeded the alert values in soil, therefore the continuous monitoring of the area is necessary. The soil is unsuitable for agricultural use due to high contamination on surface with toxic elements resulted from anthropogenic activities. Groundwater is contaminated with very toxic elements (As, Cd and Pb) but also with Cu, Mn and Zn and is unsuitable as supply for drinking water.     

公路绿化植物油松(Pinus tabulaeformis)和小叶杨(Populus simonii)对重金属元素的吸收与积累

对内蒙古西部公路绿化植物油松（Pinus tabulaeformis）、小叶杨（Populus simonii）及其根际土壤中重金属元素（Cd、Hg、Pb、Cu、Zn、Ni、Cr）和类金属元素（As和Se）含量以及根际土壤重金属（Cu、Zn、Pb、Ni和Cr）形态、土壤pH值进行了测定。对比分析了公路沿线不同绿化植物及其不同器官对重金属元素的吸收与积累特征。结果表明：绿化植物根际土壤对重金属元素的吸附及污染程度以Cd为最高。随原子序数的递增,小叶杨和油松两种植物的根部和茎叶两种营养器官中重金属的含量均表现出“N”字形变动趋势。而且重金属元素在不同植物不同器官中的含量具有Zn〉Cu〉Ni,Cr,As,Pb〉Cd〉Hg的基本规律。小叶杨茎叶对重金属元素Cr、Ni和Pb的富集能力较根部为强,油松茎叶对重金属元素Cr、Ni、Cu和Pb的富集能力较根部为强。绿化植物根际土壤重金属元素有效态占总量百分比的大小序列为Zn〉Pb〉Ni、Cr〉Cu,与重金属元素在不同植物不同器官中的含量大小序列Zn〉Cu〉Ni、Cr、As、Pb〉Cd〉Hg并非趋于一致。公路绿化植物对根际土壤中重金属元素的吸收和积累与重金属元素有效态所占的比例有关。     

Distribution of nutrients and phytotoxic metal ions in the soil and in two forest floor plant species of a beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) stand

In a beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) stand in north-west Germany vegetation of two transects (25m:1m and 20m:1m) was mapped and contents of macronutrients (Ca, Mg and K), micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu), and potentially phytotoxic metals (Pb, Cd, Ni and Al) were measured in different soil compartments and in roots, rhizomes, stems and leaves of two forest floor plant species (Mercurialis perennis L. and Polygonatum multiflorum L.). NH₄Cl extractable cation contents, pH and other soil variables were also determined.The highest macronutrient contents could be found in the leaves of M. perennis and P. multiflorum. Heavy metals and Al accumulated in the roots. Correlation analysis suggests a considerable translocation of Zn and Cd between below- and above-ground organs of both investigated forest floor plants. No significant correlation was found between the contents of the other elements in the below- and above-ground parts.Available data indicate a considerable uptake by the plants not only of nutrients, but also of heavy metals from the upper mineral soil. Amounts of heavy metals and Al solubilized in the presence of NH₄Cl increased with decreasing pH, whereas levels of soluble Ca and Mg were maximal at high pH-values of the extracts. It can be concluded that element uptake in the investigated plants is indirectly controlled by the pH of the upper mineral soil.