Characterizing the accumulation of various heavy metals in native plants growing around an old antimony mine

The objective of this study was to explore potential plant candidates to act as phytoremediators around the Xikuangshan mine, Hunan Province, China. Native plants including Imperata cylindrical (L), Rumex patientia L., Fagopyrum dibotrys (D.Don), Fagopyrum dibotrys (D.Don), Phytolacca americana L., Dryopteris erytbrosora, Pteriduum aquilinum var. latiusculum (Desv), Nephrolepiscordifolia (L) Presl, Oplismenus undulatifolius (A) Bea, Erigeron annuus (L) Pers, and soils samples were collected. As, Sb, Hg, Cd, Cr, Pb, and Zn levels were measured in soil and plant samples. The concentrations of As, Sb, Hg, and Cd in soils were above the corresponding background values for Hunan province. R. Patienti, P. aquilinum, and P. americana had large bioconcentration factors (BAFs) and high translocation factors (TFs) for Sb; and the same showed in D. erytbrosora for Hg, P. vittata for Cd, I. cylindrical for Cr, and D. erytbrosora for Pb and Zn. In general, perennial plants showed high heavy metal contents in roots, and TFs greater than 1 were only observed for Sb in E. annuus and Cr in O. undulatifolius. These results demonstrate that several native plants growing around Xikuangshan are potential phytoremediators for metal and metalloid contaminated soils.     

三种植物对土壤磷吸收和富集能力的比较北大核心CSCD

筛选磷富集植物是磷矿废弃地土壤与植被修复的关键。该文以向日葵(Helianthus annuus)、苏丹草(Sorghum sudanense)、南瓜(Cucurbita moschata)为研究对象,采用盆栽试验,设置5个磷浓度(0、100、300、500和700 mg·kg–1),分别在3个不同生长时段(4周、7周、10周)内采样,对这3种植物的磷吸收和富集能力进行了比较。结果表明:(1)在相同生长时间内,向日葵、苏丹草、南瓜的地上部磷含量均随磷处理浓度的升高而增大,最大值分别为9.67 g·kg–1、4.86 g·kg–1、6.32 g·kg–1;相同浓度下,向日葵地上部磷含量随着生长时间的延长呈上升趋势,苏丹草则呈下降趋势,南瓜无显著变化;(2)3种植物的地上部磷累积量均在磷处理浓度为700 mg·kg–1时,生长10周后达到最大值,分别为217.83 mg·plant–1、93.92 mg·plant–1、135.82 mg·plant–1;(3)各浓度处理下,向日葵、苏丹草的地上部磷富集系数和转移系数均大于1.00,南瓜的地上部磷富集系数和转移系数波动较大;向日葵的富集系数和转移系数最大值分别达11.39和4.09。综合比较可知,3种植物磷吸收和富集能力的大小顺序为:向日葵>南瓜>苏丹草。向日葵各项富磷特征基本符合磷富集植物的筛选标准,可作为磷矿废弃地土壤与植被修复的备选物种。     

Solubilization and Plant Uptake of Zinc and Cadmium from Soils Treated with Elemental Sulfur

In growth chamber experiments we studied the potential use of elemental sulfur (S₈) as an acidifying agent to enhance the uptake of Cd and Zn from three different polluted soils by candidate phytoremediation plants (Brassica juncea, Helianthus annuus, Salix viminalis). Two of the three soils were calcareous, the other slightly acidic. One of the calcareous soils had been contaminated by dust emissions from a nearby brass smelter. The pollution of the other two soils had resulted from sewage sludge applications.

Sulfur was added to soils in quantities of 20 to 400 mmol sulfur kg^-1 soil. Plants were grown under fluorescent light in 1.5 l ($OS 13 cm) pots for 28 d.

Within 700 h soil pH decreased significantly in all soils, depending on S₈ dosage. In the acid soil, pH decreased from pH 6.5 to about 4 at the highest treatment level, while pH in one of the calcareous soils dropped even below pH 4. The effect was smaller in the second calcareous soil.

NaNO₃-extractable Cd and Zn increased up to 26-and 13-fold, respectively, in the acid soil, while in the calcareous soils, maximum increases were 9-and 11-fold, respectively.

Increased NaNO₃-extractable concentrations translated well into shoot concentrations (dry matter) in plants. Shoot Zn concentrations in H. annuus, for example, increased from 930 in the controls to 4300 mg kg^-1 in the highest S₈ treatment. However, effects observed in the plants were generally smaller than in the soils. In addition, in some variants growth was negatively affected, resulting in reduced metal removal from the soils.     

The effect of humic acid and Na2EDDHA on the uptake of Cu,Fe, and Zn by barley in sand culture

Summary Humic acid affected nutrient uptake differently in sand culture. It generally increased Cu uptake, slightly, though insignificantly, increased Fe uptake and practically had no effect on Zn uptake. Such results agree fairly well with the relative stability of humic acid with these metals.When humic acid was added to sand culture at increasing concentration of the metal, it considerably increased dry weight, Cu uptake and Cu concentration through decreasing its toxicity to plant. With Fe, however, humic acid and Na₂EDDHA slightly increased Fe uptake at lower Fe concentration (30 ppm) but significantly reduced both Fe uptake and Fe concentration in plant at higher concentration of Fe compared to the control treatment. Humic acid reduced Zn uptake and Zn concentration in plant at concentrations of 0.5–1.5 ppm Zn, and guarded against Zn toxicity which developed at higher concentration of Zn when no humic acid was added.     

Oxalic acid enhances Cr tolerance in the accumulating plant Leersia hexandra Swartz

This study examined the relationship between oxalic acid and Cr tolerance in an accumulating plant Leersia hexandra Swartz. The plants grown in hydroponics were exposed to Cr at 0, 5, 30, and 60 mg/L (without oxalate), and 0, 40, and 80 mg/L concentrations of Cr (with 70 mg/L oxalate or without oxalate). The results showed that more than 50% of Cr in shoots was found in HCl-extracted fraction (chromium oxalate) when the plants were exposed to Cr. Cr supply significantly increased oxalate concentration in shoots of L. hexandra (p < 0.05), but did not increase oxalate concentration in roots. Under 80 mg/L Cr stress, electrolyte leakages from roots and shoots with oxalate treatment were both significantly lower than those without oxalate treatment (p < 0.05), indicating exogenous oxalate supply alleviated Cr-induced membrane damage. Oxalate added to growth solution ameliorated reduction of biomass and inhibition of root growth induced by Cr, which demonstrated that application of oxalate helped L. hexandra tolerate Cr stress. However, oxalate supply did not affect the Cr concentrations both in roots and shoots of L. hexandra. These results suggest that oxalic acid may act as an important chelator and takes part in detoxifying chromium in internal process of L. hexandra.     

Interactive role of zinc and iron lysine on Spinacia oleracea L. growth,photosynthesis and antioxidant capacity irrigated with tannery wastewater

AbstractUntreated wastewater contains toxic amounts of heavy metals such as chromium (Cr), which poses a serious threat to the growth and physiology of plants when used in irrigation. Though, Cr is among the most widespread toxic trace elements found in agricultural soils due to various anthropogenic activities. To explore the interactive effects of micronutrients with amino acid chelators [iron-lysine (Fe-lys) and zinc-lysine (Zn-lys)], pot experiments were conducted in a controlled environment, using spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) plant irrigated with tannery wastewater. S. oleracea was treated without Fe and Zn-lys (0 mg/L Zn-lys and 0 mg/L Fe-lys) and also treated with various combinations of (interactive application) Fe and Zn-lys (10 mg/L Zn-lys and 5 mg/L Fe-lys), when cultivated at different levels [0 (control) 33, 66 and 100%) of tannery wastewater in the soil having a toxic level of Cr in it. According to the results, we have found that, high concentration of Cr in the soil significantly (P < 0.05) reduced plant height, fresh biomass of roots and leaves, dry biomass of roots and leaves, root length, number of leaves, leaf area, total chlorophyll contents, carotenoid contents, transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (gs), net photosynthesis (PN), and water use efficiency (WUE) and the contents of Zn and Fe in the plant organs without foliar application of Zn and Fe-lys. Moreover, phytotoxicity of Cr increased malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in the plant organs (roots and leaves), which induced oxidative damage in S. oleracea manifested by the contents of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and membrane leakage. The negative effects of Cr toxicity could be overturned by Zn and Fe-lys application, which significantly (P < 0.05) increase plant growth, biomass, chlorophyll content, and gaseous exchange attributes by reducing oxidative stress (H₂O₂, MDA, EL) and increasing the activities of various antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). Furthermore, the supplementation of Zn and Fe-lys increased the contents of essential nutrients (Fe and Zn) and decreased the content of Cr in all plant parts compared to the plants cultivated in tannery wastewater without application of Fe-lys. Taken together, foliar supplementation of Zn and Fe-lys alleviates Cr toxicity in S. oleracea by increased morpho-physiological attributes of the plants, decreased Cr contents and increased micronutrients uptake by the soil, and can be an effective in heavy metal toxicity remedial approach for other crops.Graphic abstract     

Accumulating behaviour of Lupinus albus L. growing in a normal and a decalcified calcic luvisol polluted with Zn

Lupinus albus L. is a leguminous plant that is starting to generate interest for the phytoremediation soils showing intermediate metal pollution. Among these metals, Zn causes major phytotoxicity problems and is common in polluted soils of central Spain. The purpose of this study was to explore the nutritional behaviour of this plant species towards increasing Zn concentrations in two calcic luvisol soils: a normal basic soil and a decalcified acid soil. For this purpose the effects of different Zn concentrations on mineral nutrition, growth, nodulation and nitrogenase activity of nodulated Lupinus albus cv. Multolupa plants has been investigated. A 12-week trial was performed in pots under greenhouse conditions. In each soil, four replicate pots were set up per treatment (100, 150, 300, 500 and 700 ppm Zn). Seeds were inoculated with a Bradyrhizobium sp. (Lupinus) strain ISLU-16.

Statistical analysis of data revealed significant effects of soil Zn on grown, plant mineral composition and nodulation. Lupin growth was better in acid soil than in basic soil with the low dose of Zn applied, although plant growth in acid soil was severely affected from 300 ppm Zn, where the pH of the soil was 4.7. Zn application produce nutritional imbalances, especially with the higher dose added. Most of Zn accumulation occurred in the roots in both types of soils. In acid soil, lupin absorbs high amounts of Zn in both root (4650 ppm) and aerial part (3605 ppm), when the doses of Zn applied was 300 ppm. This feature permits Lupinus albus cv. Multolupa to be considered as potential phytoremediator and also for the revegetation of degraded landfill areas with slightly acid or neutral soils polluted with Zn.     

Metal-humic complexes and plant micronutrient uptake: a study based on different plant species cultivated in diverse soil types

There are several studies in the literature dealing with the effect of metal-humic complexes on plant metal uptake, but none of them correlate the physicochemical properties of the complexes with agronomic results. Our study covers both aspects under various experimental conditions. A humic extract (SHE) obtained from a sapric peat was selected for preparing the metal–humic complexes used in plant experiments. Fe–, Zn– and Cu–humic complexes with a reaction stoichiometry of 2:0.25 (humic:metal, w/w) were chosen after studying their stability and solubility with respect to pH (6–9) and the humic:metal reaction stoichiometry. Wheat and alfalfa plants were greenhouse cultured in pots containing one of three model soils: an acid, sandy soil and two alkaline, calcareous soils. Treatments were: control (no additions), SHE (53 mg kg^–1 of SHE), and metal (Cu, Zn and Fe)–SHE complexes (2.5 and 5 mg kg^–1 of metal rate and a SHE concentration to make 53 mg kg ^–1). Cu- and Zn–humic complexes significantly (p0.05) increased the plant uptake and the DTPA-extractable soil fraction of complexed micronutrients in most plant–soil systems. However, these effects were associated with significant increases (p0.05) of shoot and root dry weight only in alfalfa plants. In wheat, significant increases of root and shoot dry matter were only observed in the Cu–humic treated plants growing in the acid soil, where Cu deficiency was more intense. The Fe–humic complex did not increase Fe plant assimilation in any plant–soil system, but SHE increased Fe-uptake and/or DTPA-extractable soil Fe in the wheat–calcareous soil systems. These results, taken together with those obtained from the study of the pH- and SHE:metal ratio-dependent SHE complex solubility and stability, highlight the importance of the humic:Fe complex stoichiometry on iron bioavailability as a result of its influence on complex solubility.     

Enhanced phytoextraction: II. Effect of EDTA and citric acid on heavy metal uptake by Helianthus annuus from a calcareous soil

High biomass producing plant species, such as Helianthus annuus, have potential for removing large amounts of trace metals by harvesting the aboveground biomass if sufficient metal concentrations in their biomass can be achieved However, the low bioavailability of heavy metals in soils and the limited translocation of heavy metals to the shoots by most high biomass producing plant species limit the efficiency of the phytoextraction process. Amendment of a contaminated soil with ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) or citric acid increases soluble heavy metal concentrations, potentially rendering them more available for plant uptake. This article discusses the effects of EDTA and citric acid on the uptake of heavy metals and translocation to aboveground harvestable plant parts in Helianthus annuus. EDTA was included in the research for comparison purposes in our quest for less persistent alternatives, suitable for enhanced phytoextraction. Plants were grown in a calcareous soil moderately contaminated with Cu, Pb, Zn, and Cd and treated with increasing concentrations of EDTA (0.1, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 mmol kg(-1) soil) or citric acid (0.01, 0.05, 0.25, 0.442, and 0.5 mol kg(-1) soil). Heavy metal concentrations in harvested shoots increased with EDTA concentration but the actual amount of phytoextracted heavy metals decreased at high EDTA concentrations, due to severe growth depression. Helianthus annuus suffered heavy metal stress due to the significantly increased bioavailable metal fraction in the soil. The rapid mineralization of citric acid and the high buffering capacity of the soil made citric acid inefficient in increasing the phytoextracted amounts of heavy metals. Treatments that did not exceed the buffering capacity of the soil (< 0.442 mol kg(-1) soil) did not result in any significant increase in shoot heavy metal concentrations. Treatments with high concentrations resulted in a dissolution of the carbonates and compaction of the soil. These physicochemical changes caused growth depression of Helianthus annuus. EDTA and citric acid added before sowing of Helianthus annuus did not appear to be efficient amendments when phytoextraction of heavy metals from calcareous soils is considered.     

四川甘洛铅锌矿区优势植物的重金属含量

通过野外调查采样,分析了四川凉山州甘洛县铅锌矿区土壤的重金属含量,以及矿区生长的13种优势植物对Pb、Zn、Cd、Cr、Cu的吸收与富集能力及其富集特性.结果表明,矿区土壤受Pb、Zn、Cd 3种重金属污染严重,13种植物体内的Pb含量均高于普通植物10倍以上,具有修复矿区土壤铅污染的潜力,其中植物1的转运系数和富集系数都大于1,满足Pb超富集植物的基本特征.Zn在凤尾蕨、细风轮菜、大火草、蔗茅、小飞蓬和牛茄子中含量较高.小飞蓬和紫茎泽兰的Cd含量较一般植物高出17～61倍,其中,紫茎泽兰的转运系数与富集系数均大于1,其对Cd的吸收特性值得进一步研究.     

Contribution of bacterial cell nitrogen to soil humic fractions

Summary Living cells ofSerratia marcescens, uniformly labelled with¹⁵N, were added to samples of maple (Acer saccharum) and black spruce (Picea mariana) forest soils. After different periods of incubation from zero time to 100 days, the soils were subjected to alkali-acid and phenol extraction to provide humic acid, fulvic acid, humin and humoprotein fractions. Significant amounts of the cell nitrogen were recovered in the humic and fulvic acids immediately after addition. After incubation, less cell, nitrogen appeared in the humic acid and more in the fulvic acid. The amount of cell nitrogen recovered in the humin fraction increased with incubation. Roughly 5 to 10 per cent of the added cell nitrogen was found as amino acid nitrogen from humoprotein in a phenol extract of the humic acid. The data are consistent with the occurrence of co-precipitation of biologically labile biomass nitrogen compounds with humic polymers during the alkaline extraction procedure involved in the humic-fulvic fractionation.     

Cr Localization and Speciation in Roots of Chromate Fed Helianthus annuus L. Seedlings Using Synchrotron Techniques

In order to gain knowledge on the potential use of Helianthus annuus L. for the remediation of Cr(VI) polluted waters, hydroponics experiments were set up to determine Cr uptake and tolerance in different Cr(VI)-sulfate conditions, and Cr biotransformations. Results indicated that Cr(VI) promoted seed germination, and plant tolerance was higher at younger plant stages. Cr uptake was dependent on sulfate concentrations. The highest Cr levels in roots and shoots (13,700 and 2,500 mg kg^–1dry weight (DW), respectively) were obtained in 1 mM sulfate. The lowest Cr uptake in roots (10,600 mg kg^–1DW) was observed in seedlings treated with no sulfate. In shoots, Cr concentration was of 1,500 mg kg^–1DW for the 1 mM sulfate treatment, indicating a different level of interaction between chromate and sulfate in both tissues. For the first time, using micro X-ray florescence (μXRF), we demonstrated Cr reaches the root stele and is located in the walls of xylem vessels. Bulk and micro X-ray Absorption Near-Edge Structure (μXANES) results showed that Cr in the roots is mostly in the form of Cr(III) phosphate (80%), with the remainder complexed to organic acids. Our results suggest this plant species may serve for Cr(VI) rhizofiltration purposes.     

A Laboratory Assessment of Potentials and Limitations of Using EDTA,Rhamnolipids, and Compost-derived Humic Substances (HS) in Enhanced Phytoextraction of Copper and Zinc Polluted Calcareous Soils

Phytoextraction is an economically and environmentally attractive in-situ method for cleaning heavy metal polluted soil. Phytoextraction is a rather slow process, but it can be enhanced by the application of chelating agents such as the synthetic ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). However, EDTA is persistent, toxic, and can promote heavy metal leaching. Replacement of EDTA by natural, non-toxic compounds such as humic substances (HS) or rhamnolipids (bacterial-produced biosurfactants) might be environmentally attractive but before recommending such alternatives, their suitability must be assessed. Therefore, compost-derived HS and rhamnolipids were compared with EDTA as natural non-toxic alternatives in a multi-step batch extraction test. The test included 10 steps carried out on two Cu and Zn polluted calcareous soils using a solution:soil ratio of 10 (L/kg). In each step, soil was extracted with an extractant containing EDTA, HS, or rhamnolipids corresponding to 250 mmol DOC/kg of soil (3 g C/kg). By HS extraction, each step resulted in the release of ～0.29 mg Cu/L and ～0.19 mg Zn/L, which is considered to enhance plant uptake without leading to unacceptable leaching and toxification of the plants (and the environment), suggesting HS can enhance phytoextraction. In contrast, the EDTA and the rhamnolipid treatments were found to be unsuitable because the EDTA released Cu and Zn in concentrations that may be toxic to plants and can lead to leaching, whereas the rhamnolipids showed insufficient capacity to mobilize Cu (and Zn). However, future investigations in the field are needed to confirm these laboratory results.     

Osmoregulation and antioxidant metabolism in drought-stressed Helianthus annuus under triadimefon drenching

A pot-culture experiment was conducted to estimate the ameliorating effect of triadimefon (TDM) on drought stress in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plants. The plants were subjected to 3-, 6-, and 9-day-interval drought (DID) stress and drought stress with TDM @ 15 mg l(-1) and 15 mg l(-1) TDM alone from the 30th day after sowing (DAS). One-day-interval irrigation was kept as control. The plant samples were collected on and separated into root, stem and leaf for estimating the amino acid (AA), proline (PRO) and glycine betaine (GB) contents and the activities of antioxidant enzymes. Individual and combined drought stress and TDM treatments increased AA, PRO and GB contents, superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities when compared to control. From the results of this investigation, it can be concluded that the application of TDM caused a partial amelioration of the adverse effects of drought stress by its influence on quaternary ammonium compounds and antioxidant potentials in H. annuus plants.     

Zn buffering capacity and Zn accumulation in Swiss chard for some sludge-amended soils

Zinc sorption by soils can greatly affect its availability to plants. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between the Zn sorption capacity and plant Zn accumulation in five sludge-amended soils using Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L.) as an indicator plant. Zinc sorption as a function of Zn concentration and pH was determined for the soils which received no sludge amendment; also DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) extractable Zn was determined in all soils. Whereas the responses of DTPA-Zn and plant Zn to pH and the quantities of Zn sorbed were similar, the logarithm of DTPA-Zn accounted for only 82% of the variability in the logarithm of Zn accumulation by the plants. The variability was better explained when pH was included with DTPA-Zn in stepwise multiple regressions. The Zn buffering capacity, defined as the ratio of the change in quantity of Zn sorbed ( Zn_s) to the change in Zn solution concentration (Zn₁) (or Zn_s/Zn₁), and the estimated quantity of Zn sorbed were used as a basis to measure Zn intensity. Zinc intensity, which reflects Zn solution concentration, was the predominant factor controlling Zn accumulation by Swiss chard, judging from the good fit of the values of both parameters to the Michaelis-Menten equation. The maximum Zn accumulation was approximately 9 mmol kg^–1.Scientific paper no. 8901-29, Department of Agronomy and Soils, College of Agriculture and Home Economics Research Center. Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA.Scientific paper no. 8901-29, Department of Agronomy and Soils, College of Agriculture and Home Economics Research Center. Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA.     

Evaluation of three herbaceous index plant species for bioavailability of soil cadmium, chromium, nickel and vanadium

Uncultivated plants growing on disturbed sites may be useful for assessing the bioavailability of some metals in soils, and thus the potential for metal mobilization up the terrestrial food chain, an important element in ecological risk assessment. A planted chicory cultivar (Cichorium intybus L. var. foliosum Hegi.) and the uncultivated plants horseweed (Canada fleabane) (Erigeron canadensis L.) and dogfennel (Eupatorium capillifolium (Lam.) Small) were evaluated for their ability to act as index plant species for soil Cd, Cr, Ni, and V at two field sites where these metals had been applied five yr previously to two highly weathered sandy Ultisols. Soil Cd was available to all analyzed plant tissues of all three plant species at both sites, particularly on the sandier Blanton soil. Chicory was an effective index plant for Cd on the finer textured Orangeburg soil but functioned as an indicator plant (toxicity symptoms were observed) on the sandier Blanton soil. Horseweed and dogfennel were effective index plants for Cd in both contaminated soils. Soil Cr, Ni, and V were less bioavailable than soil Cd and plant metal uptake was more sensitive to residual soil Cr, Ni, and V than was soil extraction with double acid. Horseweed and chicory may have potential as index plants for soil Cr. Chicory may have potential as a Ni index plant. Chicory and dogfennel may have potential as V index plants.     

Phytoremediation of Metal-Contaminated Soil in Temperate Humid Regions of British Columbia,Canada

The suitability of five plant species was studied for phytoextraction and phytostabilisation in a region with temperate maritime climate of coastal British Columbia, Canada. Pot experiments were conducted using Lolium perenne L (perennial rye grass), Festuca rubra L (creeping red fescue), Helianthus annuus L (sunflower), Poa pratensis L (Kentucky bluegrass) and Brassica napus L (rape) in soils treated with three different metal (Cu, Pb, Mn, and Zn) concentrations. The bio-metric characters of plants in soils with multiple-metal contaminations, their metal accumulation characteristics, translocation properties and metal removal were assessed at different stages of plant growth, 90 and 120 DAS (days after sowing). Lolium was found to be suitable for the phytostabilisation of Cu and Pb, Festuca for Mn and Poa for Zn. Metal removal was higher at 120 than at 90 days after sowing, and metals concentrated more in the underground tissues with less translocation to the aboveground parts. Bioconcentration factors indicate that Festuca had the highest accumulation for Cu, Helianthus for Pb and Zn and Poa for Mn.     

Phytoavailability of Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Soils Irrigated with Wastewater,Akaki, Ethiopia: A Greenhouse Study

Irrigation with untreated wastewater from several industrial, commercial, and domestic discharges for decades caused accumulation of various heavy metals and metalloids in soils along the Akaki River in Ethiopia. Assessment of environmental threats and the potential phytoremediation of the soils require understanding of the toxic elements’ uptake and distribution in plant parts. Hence, a greenhouse study was performed to examine the phytoavailability and distribution of Cr, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Hg, Se, V, and As in forage grasses: Oat (Avena sativa), Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana), Setaria (Setaria sphacelata), and the legumes Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and Desmodium (Desmodium unicinatum). The average contents of Cr, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, Pb, Hg, Se, and V in the plants were generally higher than the background levels for forage grasses/legumes, and some of these elements were in the phytotoxic range. Root bioconcentration factor (BCF = root to soil concentration ratio) > 1 was observed for Cu (Oat, Rhodes, Desmodium, and Setaria: Fluvisol), Zn (Setaria: Fluvisol), Cd (Rhodes: Fluvisol; Setaria from both soils) and Hg (Oat and Alfalfa: Fluvisol). Alfalfa and Desmodium displayed translocation factor > 1 (TF = shoot to root concentration ratio) for most heavy metals. Most heavy metals/metalloids may pose a health threat to humans and stock via introduction to the food chain. The plant factors (species and plant part), soil factors (soil type, soil fractions, pH, and CEC), and their interactions significantly (p < 0.05) influenced plant heavy metal and metalloid levels. However, the role of plant part and species emerged as the most important on heavy metal uptake, translocation, sequestration, and ultimately transfer to the food chain. Accordingly, the uptake and distribution of heavy metals/metalloids in the plants reflect the potential environmental and health hazards attributable to the use of fodder grasses, legumes, and cultivation of vegetables in soils with polymetallic and metalloid contamination.     

Simultaneous hyperaccumulation of multiple heavy metals by Helianthus annuus grown in a contaminated sandy-loam soil

Phytoremediation is a promising means for the treatment of contamination arising from heavy metal spills. Although several species have been identified as hyperaccumulators, most of the studies were performed with only one heavy metal. Experiments were conducted with two cultivars of H. annuus exposed to different combinations of metal contamination (30 mg/kg Cd, Cr, Ni, As, and/or Fe). Cultivar efficiency was based on total metal uptake, as well as translocation and selectivity of each metal. The results for each cultivar were also compared after 0.1 g/kg or 0.3 g/kg EDTA was added to enhance metal bioavailability. The key finding was that H. annuus achieved hyperaccumulator status for multiple metals simultaneously: Cd, Cr, and As.     

Heavy-metal accumulation in crops grown on sewage sludge amended with metal salts

Poplar (Populus euramericana Robusta), oats (Avena sativa L. Leander), maize (Zea mays L. Ona 36), English ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), butter head lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. Reskia), spinach (Spinacia oleracea L. Subito) and French beans (Phaseolus vulgaris Prelude), were grown in pots with pure sewage sludge (pH 6.7), amended with Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn acetates, either added singly or in combination, to study metal effects on plant growth and metal uptake. Phytotoxic metal doses varied with metal and plant species, increasing in the order Cd<Ni<Cu<Zn<Cr and Pb. The threshold dose of toxic metals applied in combination was generally lower than that of metals given singly. Addition of Cd, Ni and Zn was clearly reflected in the respective plant concentrations. This was much less so for Cu, whereas Cr and Pb concentrations were not affected in most plant species. Critical plant (leaf) metal concentrations were lower for metals applied in combination than for single metals. Because of such phenomena the use of critical levels as a diagnostic tool for determining potential multiple metal toxicity is limited.