Assessment of soil aluminium pools along three mountainous elevation gradients

Anthropogenic soil acidification in mountain forests and consequent Al release still present a significant problem in many regions. The effect of deposition may differ according to stand conditions, including altitude. This contribution is focused on three elevation transects, two in the Jizera Mountains strongly influenced by acid deposition, one in the less affected Novohradske Mountains. Quantification of pools of different Al forms and related soil characteristics (organic carbon, exchangeable hydrogen cations, sorption characteristics, etc.) is evaluated. In the Novohradske Mountains, the pool of both organically bound and water-soluble Al increases with increasing altitudes. In the Jizera Mountains, the distribution is more complicated; it is strongly affected by different forest type (beech vs. spruce), deforestation, and other local differences. Higher amounts of Al are bound in the mineral horizons compared to the surface organic horizons, even in the case of organically bound Al pools. Further differences between different altitudes and between soil horizons in Al distribution were revealed by detailed Al speciation using HPLC/IC method.     

Site factors,foliar nutrient levels and growth of Cordia alliodora plantations in the humid lowlands of Northern Costa Rica

Within the perhumid, Atlantic lowlands of northern Costa Rica, Cordia alliodora plantations were studied in order to explain the observed pattern of growth irregularities. The soils, that were partly used as pastures over long periods, could be classified roughly into two units: (i) red, deeply weathered, slightly acidic soils from Mg-enriched parent material and (ii) brown, strongly acidic soils with high saturation of exchangeable Al (up to 80%).Leaf analysis revealed that Cordia is a highly demanding species in respect to macronutrients. Poorly growing trees in slope position suffered from an insufficient supply of N and P. K/Mg ratios of chlorotic leaves are very low. Soil analysis showed that nutrient deficiencies were related to (i) insufficient soil nutrient reserves of the poor, tropical soils or (ii) to an inhibition of nutrient uptake by soil physical or chemical factors.All sites are characterized by very low K reserves and losses of nutrients that are organically bound (N, P) caused by erosion. In the Mg-rich red soils, low amounts of K lead to K/Mg imbalances. Soil compaction caused by cattle grazing occurs on both soil units. In negatively influences the root development of Cordia, and hence nutrient uptake. In the brown soils, high amounts of exchangeable Al hinder a sufficient supply of nutrients (e.g.P) to the assimilation organs.     

贵州万山汞矿区污染土壤中汞的形态分布特征

利用优化Tessier连续化学浸提法对贵州万山汞矿区污染土壤中汞的形态分布进行研究.结果表明,稻田土壤中汞主要以残渣态形式存在(79.65%),其次为有机结合态(19.97%)、氧化态(0.31%)、特殊吸附态(0.04%)和溶解态与可交换态(0.03%);除特殊吸附态外,其他各形态汞含量均随距污染源距离增加而降低,特殊吸附态汞在分析土壤中含量变化不明显;生物可利用性(溶解态与可交换态和特殊吸附态)汞占总汞比例较低,但在污染土壤中其含量明显高于未受污染地区.     

Fate and Mobility of Copper in Soil of Cocoa Plantations in Two Southwestern States of Nigeria Treated with Copper-Based Fungicides

Soils from cocoa plantations treated with Boudreaux mixture in two southwestern states of Nigeria were collected at different depths, 0–15 cm and 15–30 cm, and subjected to five-stage sequential extraction to obtain the speciation forms of copper: exchangeable, carbonate, manganese and iron oxides, organic and residual fractions. The Cu content in the extracts from the sequential extraction was read with an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The total Cu content of the soil and the physicochemical parameters of the soils were also determined. The results from the study showed that the soils had high organic matter and copper is mostly bounded to the more mobile exogenic phase much more than the stable lithogenic phase, indicating higher mobility. Within the exogenic species, carbonate fraction was the highest followed by the organic bound and the exchangeable fraction in decreasing order. Cu was not detected in the Fe/Mn bound fraction. The implication is that the fate of the administered Cu-based pesticide is more in the relatively stable carbonate bound species than the other, more mobile phase. The results showed variation in the distribution of the copper species from one depth to another. The most transported metal from the surface to the lower layer is the exchangeable fraction. The carbonate bound species is less mobile and is not readily transported into the bottom soil layer. The organic bound Cu has nearly equal distribution between the top and bottom soils and there was little or no transport of the residual metal specie from the top to the bottom. The existence of copper in the soil largely in the anthropogenic (exogenous) phase is not the most desirable for the ecosystem. This may increase the availability of Cu in the cocoa plant and bean and may lead to potential exposure risk.     

Factors controlling spatial distribution of soil acidification and Al forms in forest soils

Soil acidification and Al release in forest soils is controlled by a number of factors, like acid deposition, forest type, parent rock, altitude, etc. This paper studies the principal stand factors affecting spatial distribution of the content of KCl-extractable Al (Al(KCl), mainly exchangeable), Na4P2O7-extractable Al (Al(Na4P2O7), mainly organically bound), and other soil characteristics related to acidification in surface organic (O) and subsurface mineral (B) horizons in the Jizera Mountains region. Geostatistical methods were exploited. The highest Al(KCl) contents in the O horizons were related to high S and N content, low pH and low Ca and Mg content in soil. Liming decreased Al(KCl) contents in the O horizons. Al(Na4P2O7) in the O horizons was more abundant under spruce than under beech; in both horizons it was increased on the immission clear-cut areas populated by grass. Surface horizons are more sensitive to external influence (acid deposition, liming) and their spatial variation is stronger. In the mineral horizons, the effect of pedogenetic processes is more important. The effect of stand factors on Al behaviour is complex and often indirect, mediated for example by organic matter or soil reaction. It is difficult to clearly distinguish the effects of the particular factors.     

Aluminium accumulation in root cell walls coincides with inhibition of root growth but not with inhibition of magnesium uptake in Norway spruce

High levels of aluminium in the soil solution of forest soils cause stress to forest trees. Within the soil profile, pH and aluminium concentration in the soil solution vary considerably with soil depth. pH strongly influences the speciation of A1 in solution, and is a factor when considering toxicity of A1 to roots. Norway spruce ( Picea abies [L.] Karst.) seedlings were grown for 7 weeks in nutrient solutions at pH 3.2, 4.0 or 5.0 containing 0, 100 or 400 µ M A1. At the end of this period, seedling growth, the cation exchange capacity of the roots and the amount of exchangeable Ca and Mg in roots were determined. A1 concentrations in whole roots, root segments, and in needles were measured. Using X‐ray microanalysis, the concentrations of Al, Ca, Mg and P were determined in cortical cell walls. We wanted to test the hypotheses that (1) the amount of Al bound to cation exchange sites can be used as a marker for Al toxicity and (2) the Mg concentration of needles is controlled by the amount of Mg bound to cation exchange sites. Low pH reduced the inhibition of Al on root growth and shoot length. Both low pH and Al lowered the concentration of Ca and Mg in needles. Al concentrations in the roots decreased as the pH decreased. In the roots, Al displaced Mg and Ca from binding sites at the root cortical cell walls. A comparison of the effects of Al at the different pH values on root growth and Mg concentration in the needles, suggests that, at pH 5.0, an Al fraction in the apoplast inhibits root growth, but does not affect Mg uptake. This fraction of Al is not available for transport to the shoots. In contrast, Mg uptake is strongly affected by Al at pH 3.2, although only very low levels of Al were detected in the roots. Thus, Al accumulation in the apoplast is a positive marker for Al effects on root growth, but not Mg uptake. The Mg concentration of needles is not controlled by the amount of Mg bound to cation exchange sites.     

Comparison of water-soluble and exchangeable forms of Al in acid forest soils

Soil acidification promotes Al release from minerals and parent bedrocks; it also affects Al mobilization and speciation. Speciation of KCl extractable and water-extractable Al in forest soils was done by means of HPLC/IC method. Species Al3+ were the most abundant Al forms in the KCl extracts (around 93%). Prevailing Al forms (more than 70%) in aqueous extracts were Al(X)1+, [i.e., Al(OH)2+, Al(SO4)+, AlF2+, Al(oxalate)+, Al(H-citrate)+, etc.] species. It is assumed that most of KCl and water-extractable Al is bound in soil sorption complex (i.e., highly dispersed colloidal fraction of the soil solid phase creating negative charge) where majority of Al exists in the form of Al3+ species. The ECEC values, total carbon content and parameters related to soil organic matter composition (N and S content) have apparent effect on Al speciation. The most toxic Al3+ species are more concentrated in the B horizons compared to the A and E horizons. Aqueous extracts simulate Al release to soil solution under normal conditions; it can thus exhibit the actual Al toxicity. On the other hand, KCl extraction describes a potential threat for case of strong disturbance of natural soil conditions.     

Enhanced phytoextraction: I. Effect of EDTA and citric acid on heavy metal mobility in a calcareous soil

Phytoextraction, the use of plants to extract heavy metals from contaminated soils, could be an interesting alternative to conventional remediation technologies. However, calcareous soils with relatively high total metal contents are difficult to phytoremediate due to low soluble metal concentrations. Soil amendments such as ethylene diaminetetraacetate (EDTA) have been suggested to increase heavy metal bioavailability and uptake in aboveground plant parts. Strong persistence of EDTA and risks of leaching of potentially toxic metals and essential nutrients have led to research on easily biodegradable soil amendments such as citric acid. In our research, EDTA is regarded as a scientific benchmark with which degradable alternatives are compared for enhanced phytoextraction purposes. The effects of increasing doses of EDTA (0.1,1,10 mmol kg(-1) dry soil) and citric acid (0.01, 0.05, 0.25, 0.442, 0.5 mol kg(-1) dry soil) on bioavailable fractions of Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb were assessed in one part of our study and results are presented in this article. The evolution of labile soil fractions of heavy metals over time was evaluated using water paste saturation extraction (approximately soluble fraction), extraction with 1 M NH4OAc at pH 7 (approximately exchangeable fraction), and extraction with 0.5 M NH4OAc + 05 M HOAc + 0.02 M EDTA at pH 4.65 (approximately potentially bioavailable fraction). Both citric acid and EDTA produced a rapid initial increase in labile heavy metal fractions. Metal mobilization remained constant in time for soils treated with EDTA, but a strong exponential decrease of labile metal fractions was noted for soils treated with citric acid. The half life of heavy metal mobilization by citric acid varied between 1.5 and 5.7 d. In the following article, the effect of heavy metal mobilization on uptake by Helianthus annuus will be presented.     

The Importance of Nickel Phytoavailable Chemical Species Characterization in Soil for Phytoremediation Applicability

In this work Ni speciation in natural and spiked soils (with similar total concentration) was studied. Spiked soils were prepared by addition of NiSO₄.6H₂O to obtain concentration similar to the one in natural soils. In soils mobile species were determined with a simplified sequential extraction as follows: H₂O for water-soluble metal, KNO₃ for exchangeable species, DTPA for complexed/adsorbed species. Results show that in spiked soils the exchangeable and adsorbed Ni concentrations are considerably higher than in natural soils. A study of plant uptake was carried out in order to evaluate the relation between mobile species and phyto-availability. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), even though it is not a hyperaccumulator, was selected for its tolerance to high metal concentrations in soil. Preliminary results show a very high correlation between Ni mobile species and Ni uptake by alfalfa. Significant differences were found between spiked and natural soils. In the latter, high levels of total Ni did not correspond to relevant uptake as in the case of spiked soil. Results stress the importance of evaluating preliminarly heavy metal speciation in soil before planning phytoremediation procedures.     

模拟酸雨对污染土壤中Cd、Cu和Zn释放及其形态转化的影响

研究了模拟酸雨连续浸泡下污染红壤和黄红壤中重金属释放及形态转化．结果表明。随着模拟酸雨pH值下降,污染土壤中重金属释放强度明显增大;Cd、Zn释放量与酸雨pH值呈线性极显著负相关．Cu与酸雨pH值呈线性显著负相关．模拟酸雨作用下,污染红壤和黄红壤中Cd均以交换态为主;Cu则以有机结合态和氧化锰结合态为主;Zn在污染红壤中以残留态和交换态为主．在污染黄红壤中以残留态和有机结合态为主．土壤有机质含量和阳离子交换量对Cd、Cu、Zn的释放产生一定的影响并影响Cd、Zn的形态转化,但对Cu形态转化影响不明显,随着模拟酸雨酸度增大,污染红壤和黄红壤中重金属Cd、Cu的生物可利用态明显增多,但难解吸态Zn向生物有效态转化效应不明显．     

Grass cover on forest clear-cut areas ameliorates some soil chemical properties

Clear-cut areas formed after forest decline due to acid deposition, pest attacks, or wind-breaks in temperate mountainous regions are often populated by grass (mainly Calamagrostis villosa). This study focused on the changes of soil chemical characteristics under the grass cover replacing the forest, focusing mainly on aluminium (Al) speciation. Clear-cut area due to strong acid deposition in the Jizera Mountains (Northern Bohemia) was studied. The soils under grass cover exhibit higher pH values and lower exchangeable Al content compared to adjacent surviving forest. Mobile Al species under the grass have larger proportion of non-toxic organic complexes. The content of exchangeable base cations is slightly higher under the grass. The positive effect of grass on soil chemistry was enhanced by liming. The temporary grass cover can therefore improve soil chemical quality for following reforestation. However, the differences are generally limited to surface organic horizons. Similar results were found also on a bark-beetle clear-cut area in the Bohemian Forest (Southern Bohemia) with smaller acid deposition; nevertheless, most differences were not significant there.     

The effect of phosphate rock dissolution on soil chemical properties and wheat seedling root elongation

Soils of the Appalachian region of the United States are acidic and deficient in P. North Carolina phosphate rock (PR), a highly substituted fluoroapatite, should be quite reactive in these soils, allowing it to serve both as a source of P and a potential ameliorant of soil acidity. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of PR dissolution on soil chemical properties and wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Hart) seedling root elongation. Ten treatments including nine rates of PR (0, 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1600 mg P kg^-1) and a CaCO₃ (1000 mg kg^-1) control were mixed with two acidic soils, moistened to a level corresponding to 33 kPa moisture tension and incubated for 30 days. Pregerminated wheat seedlings were grown for three days in the PR treated soils and the CaCO₃ control. Root length was significantly (P<0.05) increased both by PR treatments and CaCO₃, indicating that PR dissolution was ameliorating soil acidity. The PR treatments increased soil pH, exchangeable Ca, and soil solution Ca while lowering exchangeable Al and 0.01 M CaCl₂ extractable soil Al. Root growth in PR treatments was best described by an exponential equation (P<0.01) containing 0.01 M CaCl₂ extractable Al. The PR dissolution did not reduce total soil solution Al, but did release Al complexing anions into soil solution, which along with increased pH, shifted Al speciation from toxic to nontoxic forms. These results suggest that North Carolina PR should contribute to amelioration of soil acidity in acidic, low CEC soils of the Appalachian region.     

我国23个土壤磷素淋失风险评估Ⅱ.淋失临界值与土壤理化性质和磷吸附特性的关系

从13个省（市）采取23个耕地表层土壤,通过室内模拟试验测定其磷素淋失临界值和pH、有机质、＜0.01mm、＜0.002mm、交换性钙镁、活性铁铝、磷等温吸附特性等,以建立土壤磷素淋失临界值与土壤基本理化性质和磷吸附特性之间的关系.结果表明：土壤pH＜6.0时,随土壤pH提高临界值增加,土壤pH与临界值之间呈显著的指数关系;而当土壤pH＞6.0时,随土壤pH提高临界值减小,在pH6.5左右土壤磷素淋失临界值最高.土壤磷素淋失临界值与土壤有机质、活性铁（铝）、交换性钙之间存在显著的相关,而与交换性镁、CEC、＜0.01mm、＜0.002mm、K、Qm的相关性受土壤酸碱度影响.可以通过测定土壤有机质或活性铁的含量,来计算土壤磷素淋失临界值,评价土壤磷素淋失的风险.供试的23个土壤,除了采自湖北潜江的20号水稻土存在比较大的磷素淋失风险,其余土壤发生磷素淋失的风险很小.     

成土母质和种植制度对土壤pH和交换性铝的影响

研究了我国南方 3种不同成土母质发育的酸性自然土壤的 p H与交换性铝含量状况和种植不同作物后它们的变化。研究结果表明 ,自然土壤的 p H平均值大小顺序为雷州半岛地区玄武岩发育砖红壤≤粤中花岗岩发育赤红壤 <粤北石灰岩发育红壤 ,土壤交换性铝含量的平均值的大小顺序为粤北石灰岩发育红壤 <雷州半岛地区玄武岩发育砖红壤 <粤中花岗岩发育赤红壤。种植茶树将使这 3种土壤的 p H显著降低 ,交换性铝的含量则将不同程度升高 ,最为明显的是种茶后石灰岩发育的茶园土的 p H在这 3种土壤中变为最低 ,交换性铝数量的增加幅度最大。种植水稻将提高土壤的 p H和交换性铝的含量。轮作花生后土壤的 p H也将上升 ,但受施用石灰的影响土壤交换性铝的含量将降低     

改良剂对酸性土壤上伴矿景天铝毒缓解作用及镉锌吸收性的影响

为探究不同改良剂对酸性土壤铝(Al)胁迫条件下镉(Cd)锌(Zn)超积累植物伴矿景天Sedum plumbizincicola生长以及镉和锌吸取修复效率的影响,分别添加不同种类改良剂(钙镁磷肥(CMP)、MgCO3、KH2PO4)和不同浓度CMP进行温室盆栽试验。结果表明,CMP能够一定程度上提高土壤pH值并降低土壤交换性Al的浓度,MgCO3能够显著提高土壤pH值和降低土壤交换性Al的浓度,KH2PO4能够降低土壤中交换性Al浓度但未改变土壤pH值。施用适量的CMP(9.39 mg/kg)能够提高伴矿景天生物量和Cd、Zn吸取修复效率,用量过高会抑制伴矿景天生长和Cd、Zn修复效率;施用MgCO3可增大伴矿景天生物量和Cd、Zn修复效率,施用KH2PO4反而抑制了伴矿景天生长。酸性土壤上施用适量的CMP和MgCO3能够缓解伴矿景天的铝毒作用,维持较高的重金属吸收效率。     

The effect of level of CaCO3, inoculation and lime pelleting on the nodulation and growth of beans in five acid soils

Summary The effect of level of CaCO₃, inoculation and lime pelleting on the nodulation, dry matter yield and % N content of common bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris) grown in five acid soils was investigated in a greenhouse study. The soils represented a range in pH from 3.9 to 5.1, in exchangeable Al from 0.0 to 4 meq/100 gm, in exchangeable Mn from 0.35 to 2.32 me/100 gm, and in %C from 0.69 to 5.60.Nodule weight decreased with increasing %C and for the soil with highest %C (5.60) no nodules were observed. In soils with low organic matter and low exchangeable Al and Mn, inoculation increased nodule weight, dry matter yield and %N especially at the lowest pH level. Where the seeds were not inoculated, nodule weight and dry matter yield increased with soil pH. No such increases were observed where the seeds were inoculated. There was no apparent advantage in lime pelleting in such soils.In soils with low organic matter content and with substantial amounts of Al and/or Mn, liming increased nodule weight and dry matter yield, and decreased exchangeable Al and/or Mn. Lime pelleting was superior to mere inoculation in increasing nodule weight particularly at low lime rates.In soils with relatively high organic matter content, nodulation was very low or none at all. Low lime rates had little effect on exchangeable Al and Ca and dry matter yield. Higher lime rates, however, decreased exchangeable Al and dry matter yield but increased exchangeable Ca.     

Time change of aluminium toxicity in the acid bulk soil and the rhizosphere in Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) stands

Context

In acidic forest soils, aluminium can alter tree health due to its potential toxicity. Aluminium phytotoxicity is mainly influenced by its chemical form and its availability.

Methods

As physical-chemical indicators of Al toxicity in soil, Al speciation in soil solutions and in the exchange complex was measured in the rhizosphere and the bulk soil of two tree species (Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and European Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in an acidic soil and in 4 months (November, February, May and August) representing the four seasons in a year.

Results

In the bulk soil, Al toxicity was generally higher under Norway spruce than under beech. Furthermore, temporal changes in Al behaviour were identified under Norway spruce but not under beech. The monomeric Al in the soil solutions and the exchangeable Al in the solid soil increased significantly in February under Norway spruce and were positively correlated with nitrate concentration, suggesting that nitrate influence Al speciation and mobility under Norway spruce. In the rhizosphere, Al toxicity was restricted through Al complexation by organic compounds and by nutrient contents independently from the season. The ecological importance of the rhizosphere in Al detoxification is discussed.

Conclusions

This study suggests that plant specific differences as well as seasonal changes in plant physiology, microbial activity and microclimatology influence aluminum toxicity in acid forest soils.     

The dynamics of protons,aluminium, and calcium in the rhizosphere of maize cultivated in tropical acid soils: experimental study and modelling

The goals of this work were to understand the dynamics of H⁺, Al and Ca in the rhizosphere of maize cultivated in tropical acid soils, and to evaluate the contribution of the dissolution kinetics of the Al-hydroxides to Al dynamics. The study of the dissolution kinetics was based on a comparison between experimental and simulated data, using a model of the chemical processes in the rhizosphere. Two Oxisols, pH 5.1 and 4.6, and one Ultisol, pH 5.2, were studied. An Al-tolerant maize variety (Zea mays L.) was grown for 14 days on a 3-mm thick soil layer. The composition of the soil and the soil solution, together with the concentration of Al in the roots, were determined throughout the experiment. The results showed that root growth (i) decreased the soil solution pH, up to one pH unit, (ii) increased Al concentration in the soil solution, (iii) increased exchangeable Al, and (iv) decreased exchangeable Ca. Soil solution pH, exchangeable Al, and exchangeable Ca were closely linked. Exchangeable Al increased 1.5 – 3.0 times, due to the dissolution of easily mobilised Al components. In addition, Al accumulation in roots depended mainly on Al in the soil solution. Modelling the interactions between H⁺, Al, and Ca proved that the main factor determining Al in the soil solution was the kinetic reactivity of the easily mobilised Al components. These components, probably poorly crystallised Al-hydroxides, are key players in the functioning of the rhizosphere in tropical acid soils.     

Assessment of potentially reactive pools of aluminium in poor forest soils using two methods of fractionation analysis

The research was carried out in a pine-covered area of the Wielkopolski National Park (Poland), for years exposed to acid rain. The soils under study are sands and loamy sands with a pH of 3.3-4.4. To assess potentially reactive pools of aluminium in those soils, two methods were employed: sequential and single extraction. For the exchangeable form the results obtained by single extraction using KCl greatly exceeded the figures yielded by sequential extraction, in which the conditions under which the process was executed (pH 7) led to an underestimation of the results. The soil profile displayed a lithogenically dichotomous structure which was reflected in the aluminium content, especially in Al extracted by pyrophosphate (single extraction) and in the so-called oxidisable fraction (sequential extraction). In both cases there was a jump in Al concentrations resulted from the release of aluminium from interlayer spaces of clay minerals. The labile percentage obtained for mean values in the profile amounted from 8.1% for single extraction to 12.1% for sequential extraction, which may indicate the metal's considerable pool of potentially reactive aluminium. Single extraction seems to be more reliable in evaluating Al forms.     

Phyto-availability and speciation change of heavy metals in soils amended with lignin as micro-fertilizer

Lignin is a primary byproduct from the black liquor treatment in paper making industries, its application as micro-fertilizer in agricultural land might provide a promising alternative to sewage discharge. However, application of such a micro-fertilizer might affect the soil properties and result in soil pollution. In this study, the effects of lignin application on phytoavailability and speciation change of heavy metals in soils were investigated. Greenhouse experiments showed that lignin application improved the growth of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in all three soils investigated. The increase of the biomass for wheat shoot was 59.7%, 39.8% and 12.3% for Beijing soil, Jiangxi soil and Dongbei soil, respectively. In contrast, lignin amendment decreased the concentrations of heavy metals in wheat shoots from 2.2% to 61.0%. Sequential extraction procedure of a three-step BCR was used to investigate the fraction distribution. The extractable fractions were specified as fraction B1: water soluble, exchangeable and carbonate bound or weakly specifically adsorbed; B2: Fe-Mn oxide bound; B3: organic matter and sulfide bound. The results showed that lignin application led to the redistribution of heavy metals in each fraction. Generally, heavy metals decreased in B1 and B2 fractions and increased in B3 fraction. Upon the results short-term application of lignin in agricultural land not only improves the growth of wheat but also reduces the phyto-abailability of heavy metal in wheat.