Changes of heavy metals in soil and wheat grain under long-term environmental impact and fertilization practices in North China

Abstract

We evaluated the effects of long-term fertilization on heavy metals in soil and wheat grain under no-fertilizer control (CK), nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers (NPK), NPK plus straw (NPKS), and NPK plus manure (NPKM) treatments. Total lead (Pb) significantly increased in the CK over the initial soil. All fertilization treatments increased soil total arsenic (As) than CK, and the NPKM increased total cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) than NPK. All fertilization treatments increased soil available As and Cd than CK, and the NPKM increased available As and chromium (Cr) than NPK. The NPKS decreased grain As, Cd, Cu, and bran Cr, Zn, and Pb; but the NPKM increased grain Cr, Pb, and bran As, and Cu than NPK. Under current manure fertilization systems, the maximum bearing year of soil for As, Cr, Cd, Cu, Zn, and nickel (Ni) was 1136, 2990, 694, 1530, 910, and 1555?years, respectively.