Spatial variation of plant communities and shoot Cu concentrations of plant species at a timber treatment site

Plant species, spatial variability in plant diversity and vegetation cover were recorded at a French timber treatment site with Cu-contaminated soils (65–2600 mg/kg). Shoot biomass, shoot Cu concentration and accumulation were determined for each plant species found on 168 quadrats with increasing total Cu in soil and soil solution. A total of 91 species occurred on the site including four considered as invasive (Cyperus eragrostis, Phytolacca americana, Senecio inaequidens, and Sporobolus indicus). Species richness, Shannon index, vegetation cover and plant biomass decreased as soil Cu increased. At low soil Cu, members of the Poaceae were most frequent followed by Fabaceae, Rosaceae, and Asteraceae. At high soil Cu, Poaceae were again most frequent. Species known to form Cu-tolerant populations, i.e. Agrostis capillaris, A. stolonifera and Rumex acetosella were present. Shoot Cu concentration and accumulation were higher in plants growing in the most contaminated soils. At 2142 mg Cu/kg soil, shoot Cu accumulation peaked at 6 mg Cu/m² in A. capillaris, and its shoot Cu concentration (364 mg Cu/kg dry weight) exceeded the fodder Cu threshold for domestic livestock. In less Cu-contaminated soils some candidates were identified for sustainable phytoremediation with a potential financial return.     

Assessment of potential health risk of heavy metals in soils from a rapidly developing region of China

Soil heavy metal contamination is a major environmental concern, and health risk associated with heavy metals is not fully explored. A combination of spatial analysis and Monte Carlo simulation was successfully used to identify the possible sources and health risk of cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), and copper (Cu) in soils collected from a rapidly developing region of China. It was found that mean concentrations of Cd (0.17 mg/kg ), As (8.74 mg/kg ), Hg (0.15 mg/kg ), Pb (27.28 mg/kg ), and Cu (33.32 mg/kg ) were greater than the soil background values. Accumulation and spatial variability of heavy metals were significantly affected by anthropogenic activities and soil properties. The risk assessment indicated that non-carcinogenic risk was not significant. However, 95% of the total cumulative carcinogenic risk of children was greater than 1E-05, implying high potential carcinogenic risk with As and Pb representing the major contributors. Ingestion of heavy metals in the soils was the main exposure pathway compared with the inhalation and the dermal exposure. Concentration of heavy metals in the soils, particulate emission factor, and dermal exposure ratio were the major parameters affecting health risk. This study highlights the importance of assessment of soil direct exposure health risk in studying heavy metal exposures.     

Spatial patterns,hotspot, and risk assessment of heavy metals in different land uses of urban soils (case study: Malayer city)

A study on identification of hotspots, spatial patterns, and risk evaluation of heavy metals in urban soils of Malayer city (Iran) was carried out. Fifty-nine composite surface soil samples were collected from six different land uses (urban parks, streets, and squares, boulevards, residential and agricultural areas) in Malayer city, and the total heavy metals were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Average concentrations of Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn, As, Cd, and Pb were 0.66, 15.51, 12.25, and 96.8 mg/kg, respectively. Among the six land uses, heavy metal contamination was heavier for street, while low contamination could be found for residential and urban parks. The spatial distribution of Pb in surface soil was similar to those of Cd, and Cu was similar to those of Zn with decreasing values from the central areas to the suburb. Also, there were several hotspots for studied heavy metals that Cd and Pb were mainly occurred in locations of heavy traffic in the city center and Cu and Zn in the west and northwestern in the city. The calculated result of risk evaluation showed that much of the city suffered from moderate to severe pollution by four of these heavy metals.     

Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution in Urban Agricultural Soils of Jilin City,China

Due to rapid industrialization and urbanization during the last two decades, contamination of urban agricultural soils by heavy metals is on an increase all over China. In this study, fifty soil samples were collected from urban vegetable fields in a chemical industrial area and non chemical industrial area in Jilin City to investigate the heavy metal pollution level. The mean Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, and Cd contents (30.84, 65.65, 26.41, 23.07, 135.14, and 0.1434 mg kg^?1 dry weight, respectively) in the urban vegetable soils were higher than their corresponding natural background values. The principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to identify the possible sources of metal contamination in the study area. The results indicated that Cu and Zn were mainly from industrial activities, while Pb and Cd were derived from traffic activities and agricultural activities, and Cr and Ni tended to be from parent material. The distribution of comprehensive pollution index values showed that Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, and Cd concentrations in most of the agricultural fields did not exceed the baseline values affecting the safety of agricultural production and human health according to the soil environmental quality standard of China, indicating an insignificant contamination of these metals in Jilin City.     

阜新市农田土壤重金属含量及其分布特征

通过对辽宁省阜新市城郊区县180处农田土壤的取样调查分析,初步了解了农田土壤重金属As、Cu、Zn、Ni的含量特征及其空间分布,并探讨了当地矿业开采活动对农田土壤重金属积累及空间分布的影响.结果表明,研究区域内农田土壤Cu、Zn和Ni的几何平均含量均高于背景值,且这3种重金属存在普遍累积的现象;不同种植类型土壤中,菜地土壤Cu、Zn、As含量显著高于粮田,且重金属积累更为明显;4种重金属的空间分布均呈城区高于郊县的趋势;重金属含量较高的区域与矿山开采区域基本重叠.研究区域内采矿活动是农田重金属的重要来源,同时畜禽养殖业所产生的畜禽粪便可能对农田土壤中Cu、Zn和As的增加有一定作用.当地农牧业生产和布局应适当考虑土壤污染的风险.     

Spatial Patterns and Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Soils in a Resource-Exhausted City,Northeast China

Northeast China is an intensive area of resource-exhausted city, which is facing the challenges of industry conversion and sustainable development. In order to evaluate the soil environmental quality influenced by mining activities over decades, the concentration and spatial distribution of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and Zinc (Zn) in surface soils (0-20cm) of a typical resource-exhausted city were investigated by analyzing 306 soil samples. The results showed that the average concentrations in the samples were 6.17 mg/kg for As, 0.19 mg/kg for Cd, 51.08 mg/kg for Cr, 23.27 mg/kg for Cu, 31.15 mg/kg for Ni, 22.17 mg/kg for Pb, and 54.21 mg/kg for Zn. Metals distribution maps produced by using the inverse distance weighted interpolation method and results revealed that all investigated metals showed distinct geographical patterns, and the concentrations were higher in urban and industrial areas than in farmland. Pearson correlation and principal component analysis showed that there were significant positive correlations (p<0.05) between all of the metals, and As, Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn were closely associated with the first principal component (PC1), which explained 39.81% of the total variance. Cu and As were mainly associated with the second component (PC2). Based on the calculated Nemerow pollution index, percentage for slightly polluted (1<P ≤ 2) surface soils were reached 57.33%, while 42.65% topsoil samples are moderate polluted (2<P≤ 3). According to the results above-mentioned, different soil environmental function areas were classified and proper soil environmental management policy was proposed to decrease the environmental risks in the process of industrial city transformation.     

Analysis of Spatial Variations and Sources of Heavy Metals in Farmland Soils of Beijing Suburbs

To understand the effect of intense human activities in suburbs on environmental quality, we obtained 758 measurements of the heavy metals in certain farmland soils of the Beijing suburbs. Multivariate statistical analysis and geostatistical analysis were used to conduct a basic analysis of the heavy metal concentrations, the distribution characteristics and the sources of pollution of the farmland soils in these suburbs. The results showed the presence of eight heavy metals in the agricultural soils at levels exceeding the background values for As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn. In particular, all the measured Cr concentrations exceeded the background value, while As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn were present at 1.13, 1.68, 1.95, 1.43, 1.63, 0.79, 0.92 and 1.36 times their background values, respectively. The results of correlation, factor and spatial structure analyses showed that Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn were strongly homologous, whereas Cr and Hg showed a degree of heterogeneity. The analysis further indicated that in addition to natural factors, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in the soil were mainly associated with distribution from road traffic and land use status. Different agricultural production measures in the various areas were also important factors that affected the spatial distribution of the soil Cr concentration. The major sources of Hg pollution were landfills for industrial waste and urban domestic garbage, while the spatial distribution of As was more likely to be a result of composite pollution. The regional distribution of the heavy metals indicated that except for Cr and Hg, the high heavy metal levels occurred in districts and counties with higher organic matter concentrations, such as the northwestern and southeastern suburbs of Beijing. There was no significant Ni pollution in the agricultural soils of the Beijing suburbs.     

Contamination features and health risk of heavy metals in suburban vegetable soils,Yanbian, Northeast China

In recent years, heavy metal contamination in suburban vegetable soils calls for significant concerns due to the rapid urbanization and industrialization. In present study, 110 suburban vegetable soil samples from Yanbian, Northeast China, were collected. Concentration characteristics, pollution level, health risk, and source identification were evaluated by using different quantitative indices. Concentrations of Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, Cd, and As in suburban soils were measured. Mean concentrations of Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn Cd, and As were 34.9 ± 10.5, 73.5 ± 44.4, 29.6 ± 19.4, 23.4 ± 12.0, 88.5 ± 26.7, 0.16 ± 0.16, and 9.24 ± 3.79 mg/kg, which were showed significantly higher than corresponding background values of Jilin province, respectively. The soils were moderately heavy polluted by Cu and Cd based on the results of geo-accumulated index and pollution indices. The pollution load index indicated that almost all of the study area were middle or heavy polluted, especially in Antu County and Helong City. Children in Yanbian may pose non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks with the major exposure pathway of ingestion. Principle component analysis results suggested that Pb, Cu, Zn, and Cd were mainly associated with agricultural activities, Ni and Cr were defined as combined source (lithogenic and anthropogenic), and As was tended to be from excessive application of pesticides and industrial activities.     

Health risk to children exposed to Zn,Pb, and Fe in selected urban parks of the Silesian agglomeration

In selected urban parks of the Silesian agglomeration, samples of soil, sand and dust were collected and analyzed for Zn, Pb and Fe contents.The highest soil concentrations of the metals were found in park no. I (Ko?ciuszki) in Katowice (average concentrations 244, 341 and 9375 mg/kg, respectively) and slightly lower soil concentrations were found in the park no. III (Silesian) in Chorzów (131, 211 and 9017 mg/kg, respectively). Lower contents of Zn (average 38 mg/kg) as well as Pb (71 mg/kg) and Fe (3226 mg/kg) characterize the soils of park no. II in Katowice. Concentrations of the metals in sands are on average, significantly lower, equivalent to two to three times, than those of the soil samples. The contents of metals in dusts are more variable than in soils and sands. While comparing the amount of Pb in the dust to their concentration in soils, it must be noted that for the majority of the samples they are lower. They account for 76% of the total concentration in the soil. The calculated quotient hazards of health clearly indicate a potential health risk caused by Pb, especially for young children due to their low weight. The highest health risk was established for park no. I, slightly lower for park no. III and the lowest for park no. II.     

南四湖区农田土壤有机质和微量元素空间分布特征及影响因素

基于地统计学和GIS技术相结合的方法,研究了南四湖区农田土壤有机质和微量元素的空间分布特征及其影响因素。结果表明,土壤有机质和微量元素均属中等变异程度,除硼符合正态分布外,其余土壤属性均符合对数正态分布。结构分析表明,除硼为纯块金效应外,土壤有机质和其它微量元素空间自相关性较强,其中结构性因素起主导作用。克里格插值结果表明,土壤有机质分布总体趋势为由北向南逐渐降低,锰、铜、锌分布总体趋势为中部高,南北两端低。影响因素分析表明,土壤类型、耕层质地、坡度、土地利用类型和地貌类型对土壤有机质均有显著影响。土壤类型主要是由于成土母质的差异影响土壤有机质的高低与分布,随质地由砂变粘、坡度由低变高,土壤有机质含量逐步升高,田间管理水平的差异是造成不同土地利用类型下土壤有机质含量差异的主要原因。微量元素中,除硼不受影响外,铁、锰、铜和锌与土壤类型、耕层质地、坡度、土地利用类型和地貌类型密切相关。     

Contamination,source identification,and risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in agricultural soils around a typical coking plant in Shandong,China

Coking is one of the most important emission sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in China. Investigation of the contamination, distribution, and sources of PAHs in agricultural soils around Rong Xin coking plant, China, was conducted, and the potential human health risks were addressed. The total concentration of the 16 PAHs (∑₁₆PAHs) on the United States Environmental Protection Agency priority list had a range from 1774 to 4621 µg/kg (mean 3016 µg/kg). Meanwhile, seven carcinogenic PAHs (∑PAH_7c) owned the total concentrations of 684–2105 µg/kg, and they had the benzo[a]pyrene equivalent (BaP_eq) concentrations at 139.616–1672.850 µg/kg. All soil samples were dominated by PAHs with two to four rings. Data analyses for the potential sources of PAHs showed that the PAHs in soils were principally from pyrogenic sources. Ecological risk assessment of soil PAHs showed that the BaP_eq concentrations of ∑PAH_7c accounted for 99% of the total ∑₁₆PAHs, being a major carcinogenic contributors of ∑₁₆PAHs. Higher levels of PAHs and higher total BaP_eq concentrations in this study indicate a potential carcinogenic risk for humans. Therefore, long-term exposure to coking plants may increase the PAH concentrations in the environment and further raise a potential risk to human health.     

Influence of breed on blood and tissue copper status in growing and finishing steers fed diets supplemented with copper

To evaluate the influence of breed on the accumulation of dietary copper (Cu) in tissue, and on blood parameters indicative of Cu status, ten Galician Blond, nine Holstein-Friesian and ten Galician Blond × Holstein-Friesian cross (GB × HF) steers were fed diets supplemented with 35 mg/kg DM of CuSO₄ during their growing and finishing periods. Blood samples were taken monthly, and samples of liver, kidney, brain, heart, spleen and muscle were taken at slaughter. Cu concentrations were determined by ICP-AES. Holstein-Friesian calves had significantly higher total liver Cu contents than Galician Blonds and GB × HF crosses (mean 1070, 663 and 868 mg, respectively), combined with higher hepatic Cu concentrations (174, 140 and 166 mg/kg wet weight, respectively). Holstein-Friesian calves had also the highest prevalence (89%) of hepatic Cu concentrations exceeding the toxic limit of 150 mg/kg wet weight. Breed did not have a statistically significant influence on blood parameters. With the exception of the semitendinosus muscle, where Holstein-Friesians (0.790 mg/kg) had significantly higher Cu levels than Galician Blonds (0.541 mg/kg) or GB × HF crosses (0.631 mg/kg), no other statistically significant differences by breed in the extrahepatic tissue Cu distribution were observed. A negative statistical association between carcass performance and the ratio of semitendinosus and liver Cu concentration could indicate that the animals with a better carcass performance (Galician Blonds) could need a higher Cu mobilisation into the muscle, resulting in a lower hepatic storage.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the environment of Beijing,China: Levels,distribution, trends and sources

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have become a major type of persistent organic pollutant (POPs) in the world. To well understand the occurrence, spatial distribution and source apportionment of 16 PAHs in different media in Beijing, a comprehensive study was conducted based on 337 obtained and subsequently selected samples in four specific media, including soil, road dust, surface water and atmosphere covering sampling time spanning from 2005 to 2014. Mean concentrations of Σ16 PAHs in soils (878.5 μg/kg) decreased from inner city to exterior areas with different land uses decreased in the order of industrial estate (2510 μg/kg)>educational area (1331 μg/kg)>Park (783 μg/kg)>cultivated (650 μg/kg)>roadside (583 μg/kg)>residential (568 μg/kg)>green area (478 μg/kg)>forest area (125 μg/kg). Meanwhile, PAHs concentrations in branch roads were slightly higher than trunk roads and mainly concentrated in urban areas (1136 μg/kg). Affected by industrial and residential areas, PAHs concentrations in downstream surface rivers were much higher than upstream surface rivers (475 ng/L). Due to strong mobility, PAHs concentrations in atmosphere were not equally distributed around the study area (157.59 ng/m³). The result of source apportionment determined by diagnostic ratios method indicated PAHs in multiple media in Beijing are mainly from coal and biomass combustion.     

Do ammonia-oxidizing archaea respond to soil Cu contamination similarly asammonia-oxidizing bacteria?

Inhibitory experiments were conducted to investigate the responses of the population sizes of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB) and the potential nitrification rates (PNRs) to Cu contamination in four Chinese soils. PNR was determined using a substrate-induced nitrification (SIN) assay, and the population size of the nitrifiers represented by amoA gene abundances was quantified using a real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay. Both population size and PNR of the ammonia oxidizers reduced considerably at high Cu concentrations in all the soils. Bacterial amoA gene abundance was reduced by from 107-fold (Hailun soil) to more than 232-fold (Hangzhou soil) at the highest Cu concentrations (2,400 mg kg^?1 Cu for Hailun, Langfang and Guangzhou soils and 1,600 mg kg^?1 Cu for Hangzhou soil), while reduction in archaeal amoA gene abundance was from 10-fold (Langfang soil) to 89-fold (Hangzhou soil). AOA seemed more tolerant to Cu contamination than AOB. Nitrification rates were inhibited by more than 50% at a Cu concentration of 600 mg kg^?1, and by more than 90% at the highest Cu concentrations in all soils. These results indicated that both AOA and AOB can be inhibited by toxic metals, highlighting the need to consider the role of AOA in nitrification in soils.     

Anthropogenic impacts on heavy metal concentrations in surface soils from the typical polluted area of Bengbu,Anhui province,Eastern China

A total of 30 surface soil samples were collected from the typical polluted area of Bengbu, Anhui province, Eastern China. The content characteristics, source identification, and risk assessment of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were studied based on the field investigation, sampling, indoor test, and statistical analysis. Results showed that the concentrations of Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn showed different spatial variation and ranged from 0.48 to 1.84, 12.78 to 239.07, 287.14 to 491.96, 15.29 to 52.99, 13.28 to 68.82, and 28.83 to 184.79 mg/kg, respectively. Besides Mn, the contents of other metals have exceeded the local background value to a certain extent, and the higher concentrations recorded were found in the east of Bali channel. Source analyses indicated that Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn were attributed to industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust pollution, and phosphate uses in agriculture, whereas Ni and Mn were mainly of natural origin. Among the six heavy metals, Cd posed the highest ecological risk with the proportion of 3.3% at a considerable level, 36.7% at a high level, and 60% at a very high level, Cu presented a low-to-moderate ecological risk, while others presented a relatively low risk in surface soils, suggesting that Cd and Cu, especially for Cd, should draw environmental concern.     

Trace element transfer from two contaminated soil series to Medicago sativa and one of its herbivores,Spodoptera exigua

Alfalfa was cultivated in two potted soil series obtained from two sandy soils contaminated by Cu (SM) and metal(loids)/PAH (CD). Shoot production was monitored for 8 weeks. Then, larvae of Spodoptera exigua were reared on alfalfa of both soil series for eight days. A biotest (using Phaseolus vulgaris) was used to assess the soil phytotoxicity. Increasing soil contamination reduced P. vulgaris growth, but alfalfa growth was only reduced on the SM soil series. Exposure to the SM soil was mirrored by shoot Cu and Cr concentrations of alfalfa (respectively, in mg kg ^?1 DW, Cu and Cr ranged from 11.9 and 0.4 in the CTRL soil to 98.5 and 1.2 in the SM one). Exposure to the CD soil series was mirrored by shoot Zn concentrations (i.e., 48–91.6 mg kg^?1 DW). Internal metal(loid) concentrations of S. exigua remained generally steady across both soil series (respectively Cd 0.05–0.16, Cr 0.5–3.3, Cu 5.8–98.5, Ni 0.6–1.6, Pb 0.4–1.3, and Zn 57–337 mg kg^?1 DW), and most of the associated transfer factors were lower than 1. Here, due to the excluder phenotype of alfalfa across our TE contamination gradients, S. exigua could cope with high total metal(loid) concentration in both contaminated soils.     

Distribution and pollution evaluation of fluoride in a soil–water–plant system in Shihezi,Xinjiang, China

Fluoride (F) pollution is a serious environmental problem in some areas of China, but it has yet to be reported in a soil–water–plant system in Shihezi, Xinjiang. This study was undertaken to investigate the distribution and migration rule of F in soil, water, and plants, and to evaluate F pollution of soil. Results showed that the average concentration of total F (T-F) in the topsoil in the northwest, north, and southeast of Shihezi was higher than the national average T-F (478 mg/kg), while it was lower in southwest. The highest T-F contents of the soil profile were detected in the depth of 20 cm. The F content in groundwater in the northwest region was higher than the GB/T 14848–93 (1.0 mg/L), whereas the F contents in other water samples were within the standard. The F contents (1.75?2.81 mg/kg) in plant leaves were higher than the food limits (1.0 mg/kg). The obtained comprehensive pollution index of the soil was 1.86, which means a mild concentration of F in Shihezi. This research has reference value for the study of F pollution and comprehensive control in the northwest oasis with the typical arid and saline conditions.     

Levels,Sources, and Toxic Potential of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Urban Soil of Delhi,India

This study was done to determine the concentration of PAHs in urban soil of Delhi (India). Surface top soil (up to 10 cm depth) samples were collected from four different sampling sites including industrial, roadside, residential, and agricultural areas of Delhi and 16 USEPA priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were evaluated. Total PAH concentrations at industrial, roadside, residential, and agricultural sites were 11.46 ± 8.39, 6.96 ± 4.82, 2.12 ± 1.12, and 1.55 ± 1.07 mg/kg (dry weight), respectively, with 3–7 times greater concentrations in industrial and roadside soils than that in residential and agricultural soils. The PAH pattern was dominated by 4- and 5-ring PAHs (contributing >50% to the total PAHs) at industrial and roadside sites with greater concentration of fluoranthene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[ghi]perylene, and pyrene, whereas, residential and agricultural sites showed a predominance of low molecular weight 2- and 3-ring PAHs (fluoranthene, acenaphthene, naphthalene, chrysene, and anthracene). Isomeric pair ratios suggested biomass combustion and fossil fuel emissions as the main sources of PAHs. The toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) showed that carcinogenic potency (benzo[a]pyrene-equivalent concentration (B[a]P_eq) of PAH load in industrial and roadside soils was ～10 and ～6 times greater than the agricultural soil.     

Assessment of Heavy Metals Contamination and Potential Ecological Risk in Soils Affected by a Former Mn Mining Activity,Drama District,Northern Greece

Manganese mining activities in the Drama district, northern Greece, have resulted in a legacy of abandoned mine wastes at the “25 km Mn-mine” site. Current research was focused on the western Drama plain (WDP), constituting the recipient of the effluents from Xiropotamos stream, which passes through the “25 km Mn-mine” place. A total of 148 top soil samples were collected and their heavy metals (HMs) concentrations (Mn, Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd, and As) were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Enrichment factor (EF), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), and pollution load index (PLI) were calculated as an effort to assess metal accumulation, distribution, and pollution status of the soils due to the former mining activity. The overall potential ecological risk of HMs to the environment was also evaluated using the potential toxicity response index (RI). Results showed that peak values of the elements (13 wt% for Mn, 0.2 wt% for Pb, 0.2 wt% for Zn, 0.1 wt% for As, 153 mg/kg for Cu, and 27.5 mg/kg for Cd) were found in soils from sites close to and along both sides of the Xiropotamos stream. In this sector of WDP, values of EF, Igeo, and PLI classify the soils as moderately to highly polluted with Mn, Pb, Zn, Cd, and As. Based on RI values, soils in this part of WDP display considerable to very great potential ecological risk and, therefore, a remediation has to be applied. The main cause of soil contamination is considered the Xiropotamos downstream transfer and dispersion of Mn mine wastes via flooding episodes.     

Evaluation of Copper Bioaccumulation and Translocation in Jatropha curcas Grown in a Contaminated Soil

Contamination of soils with copper (Cu) has become a serious problem in the environment. Phytoremediation is an emerging green technology that uses green plants to remediate heavy metal contaminated areas. This study was conducted to evaluate the potential of Jatropha curcas for remediation of soils contaminated with Cu. Seedlings were planted in soils spiked with Cu in amount of 0, 50, 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg kg^–1 (Cu_0, Cu₅₀,Cu₁₀₀,Cu₂₀₀,Cu_300, and Cu₄₀₀) for a period of five months. The maximum height and number of leaves were recorded in control (Cu₀) whereas the highest basal stem diameter was found in seedlings exposed to Cu₅₀. Copper concentrations among plant parts were in the following trend: roots > stems > leaves. The highest total Cu concentration (665 ± 1 mg kg^?1) and total Cu removal (1.2 ± 0.2%) based on total plant dry biomass were found in Cu₄₀₀ and Cu₅₀ treatments, respectively. J. curcas exhibited high root concentration factor (RCF > 1) and low translocation factor (TF < 1). Although Cu accumulation by the plant didn't reach the criteria of Cu hyperaccumulators, this species showed a potential to be used in phytostabilization of mildly Cu contaminated areas. However, the plant cannot be used for phytoextraction of Cu-contaminated soils.