Amaranthus Tricolor Has the Potential for Phytoremediation of Cadmium‐Contaminated Soils

Phytoremediation is a developing technology that uses plants to clean up pollutants in soils. To adopt this technology to cadmium (Cd)–contaminated soils efficiently, a Cd hyperaccumulator with fast growth rate and large biomass is required. In the present study, we selected Caryophyllales as a potential clade that might include Cd hyperaccumulators because this clade had a high mean concentration of zinc (Zn), which is in the same element group as Cd. Three species in Caryophyllales and three species in different clades were grown with Cd. Among them, Amaranthus tricolor showed high accumulating ability for Cd under both water‐culture and soil‐culture conditions, whereas Brassica juncea, a known Cd hyperaccumulator, accumulated high concentrations of Cd in shoots only under water‐culture conditions. This result suggests that A. tricolor has Cd‐solubilizing ability in rhizosphere. Because A. tricolor has large biomass and high growth rate, this species could be useful for phytoremediation of Cd‐contaminated fields.     

Heavy‐Metal Concentration of Sewage‐Contaminated Water and Its Impact on Underground Water,Soil, and Crop Plants in Alluvial Soils of Northwestern India

Abstract

Heavy‐metal concentration in underground and surface water, soil, and crop plants growing in farmers' fields near the industrial city of Ludhiana, Punjab, India, that receive irrigation with water contaminated with sewer and untreated industrial effluents was studied. The concentrations of lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), and nickel (Ni) in sewage‐contaminated water were 18, 80, 88, and 210 times higher than in shallow handpump water, and 21, 133, 700, and 2200 times higher than in deep tube‐well water, respectively. The concentrations of Cd and Ni in shallow handpump underground water were significantly higher than in deep tube‐well underground water. The concentrations of Pb, Cr, Cd, and Ni in deep tube‐well water were 0.017, 0.003, 0.0002, and 0.0002 mg L^?1, respectively. Soils irrigated with sewage‐contaminated water had higher electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity, organic carbon (C), and clay content but had lower pH and calcium carbonate content compared to soils irrigated with deep underground water. The concentrations of diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)–extractable Pb, Cr, Cd, and Ni in soils irrigated with sewage‐contaminated water were 1.8, 35.5, 3.6, and 14.3 times higher, and total concentrations of these heavy metals were 1.5, 3.0, 3.7, and 2.2 times higher than that in soils irrigated with deep underground water. The mean concentrations of Pb, Cr, Cd, and Ni in crop plants growing on soils irrigated with sewage‐contaminated water were 4.88, 4.20, 0.29, and 3.99 mg kg^?1, which were 1.2, 2.1, 8.7, and 1.9 times higher than in plants irrigated with deep tube‐well water, respectively. The amounts of potentially toxic metals were significantly and positively correlated with cation exchange capacity and organic C content and negatively correlated with soil pH. In conclusion, long‐term accumulation of toxic metals in soils and their uptake by crop plants has a high potential for phytotoxicity as well as for entering into the food chain. The findings also suggest contamination of underground shallow drinking water through leaching of some highly mobile metals.     

Cadmium,Nickel, Chromium,and Lead Levels in Soils and Vegetables under Long‐Term Irrigation with Industrial Wastewater

Abstract: The industrial activity areas, rivers, and water sources in neighboring areas are influenced by wastewater of manufacturers. Utilizing water influenced by wastewater increased heavy metals in soils and plants. In 2004, to investigate the effects of wastewater on cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), and lead (Pb) content in soil and plants, wastewaters of three manufactures (chrome chemical, wood and paper, and textiles) were examined. At harvest time roots, whole shoots (rice, spinach, clover, grass), and rice grain in industrial wastewater–influenced areas and uninfluenced areas were sampled. Soil samples were also taken (0–15, 15–30 cm). Results indicated that when wastewater was discharged into the river water, the concentrations of Cd, Ni, Cr, and Pb increased in river water. Application of river water influenced by industrial wastewater for irrigation of rice and another plants enhanced, the amounts of available Cd, Ni, Cr and Pb in soil. In subsurface horizons (15–30 cm), the concentrations of heavy metals were more than in the surface horizon (0–15 cm). With increasing cation exchange capacity in the soil, the amount of available Cr increased. When the calcium carbonate content in soils was raised, the available Cd and Pb increased in the soil, but Ni and Cr decreased. Meanwhile, organic matter enhanced the concentrations of heavy metals in soil. Accumulations of heavy metals were higher in the roots of rice (control and treatment) than in shoot and rice grain. Cadmium accumulation in rice root was three times that in whole shoot, and grain was two times more than control. The concentrations of Ni, Cr, and Pb in root, whole shoot, and grain of rice were two times higher in industrial wastewater–treated areas. The concentrations of heavy metals in root and whole shoot of spinach, clover, and grass in industrial wastewater area increased about 100%, but not to a toxic level. Cadmium translocated more than other heavy metals from soil to root, whole shoot, and grain of rice, and whole shoot of spinach, clover, and grass.     

Uptake,Translocation, and Transformation of Arsenic by Four Fern Species in Arsenic‐Spiked Soils

Arsenic (As) toxicity has become a global concern because of the ever‐increasing contamination of water, soil, and crops in many regions of the world. Although most plants are susceptible to As, some ferns are resistant to it and can accumulate As. In this study, four species of ferns, Asplenium nidus (AN), Pteris umbrosia (PU), Polypodium vulgare (PV), and Pteris cretica (PC), were screened for their ability to tolerate and hyperaccumulate As. Ferns were exposed to 120 mg As kg^?1 as sodium arsenate (Na₂HAsO₄) for 50 days under natural sunlight in greenhouse conditions, and the fronds and roots were analyzed for As speciation and selected macronutrients [potassium (K) and phosphorus (P)]. The species of ferns varied widely in their abilities to transport As to the fronds (ranged from 164 to 4820 mg kg^?1 DW) with the greatest frond As concentration found in PU (4820 mg kg^?1). The distribution of soil As fractions indicated that As was mostly bound carbonate (carb) (32.4%) and in the residual fractions (45.1%). Chemical fractionation of As‐spiked soil indicated that the greatest reduction in soil As after growing was in carb As form. Arsenic speciation analysis shows that >82% of the total As in the aboveground biomass is present as the reduced form of As, arsenite [As(III)], which is considered to be the more toxic form. However, in roots, only 60% of the As is present as As(III). Furthermore, among the four species of ferns, PU is the most promising to be used in the remediation of the affected area. Therefore, it is possible to use PU to remediate As‐contaminated soils by repeatedly harvesting its fronds.     

Chemical Behavior of Chromium in Soils: Ⅲ. Mechanism of Cr(Ⅵ) Adsorption by Soils

An analysis of Cr (Ⅵ)-sorbed surface of the soils by using a scanning electron microscope and an electron probe microscope has proved that aluminium is the chief element affecting Cr (Ⅵ) adsoption. As the ionic strength of the solution increased, the amounts of Cr (Ⅵ) adsorbed by goethite and soils decreased. Cr (Ⅵ) adsorption was greatly depressed in the presence of SO₄^2-, WO₄^2-, MoO₄^2-, HPO₄^2- and H₂PO^4- which competed for anion adsorption sites. The depressing extent of these anions was found to follow the sequence: HPO₄^2-, H₂PO^4->MoO₄^2->WO₄^2->SO₄^2->>Cl^-, NO^3-. The amounts of Cr (Ⅵ) desorption varied with different extractants.     

Adsorption of Chloride, Nitrate and Perchlorate by Variable Charge Soils

Two cells consisting of a chloride-selective electrode and a nitrate-selective electrode or of a chloride-selective electrode and a perchlorate-selective electrode were directly put in the soil suspension to determine the concentration ratios Cl-/ NO3- or Cl-/ ClO4- for studying the adsorption of the three anions by variable charge soils. It was found that all the concentration ratios CCl- / CNO3- and CCl- / CClO4- in suspension were smaller than unity when soil samples were in equilibrium with mixed KCl and KNO3 or KCl and KClO4 solutions of equal concentration. The order of the amount of chloride, nitrate and perchlorate adsorbed by variable charge soils was Cl-> NO3-> ClO4- when the soils adsorbed these anions from the solution containing equal concentrations of Cl-, NO3- and ClO4-. Such factors as the pH of the suspension, the iron oxide content of the soil etc. could affect the amounts and the ratios of anions adsorbed.     

Remediation of Perfluorooctane Sulfonate in Contaminated Soils by Modified Clay Adsorbent—a Risk-Based Approach

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), which has numerous uses besides being an ingredient in the formulation of aqueous film-forming foams, is considered as an emerging pollutant of increasing public health and environmental concern due to recent reports of its worldwide distribution, environmental persistence and bioaccumulation potential. In an attempt to recommend a ‘risk-based’ remediation strategy, this study investigates the removal of PFOS from impacted waters and fixation of PFOS in impacted soils using a novel modified clay adsorbent (MatCARE?, patent number 2009905953). Batch adsorption tests demonstrated a much faster adsorption kinetics (only 60 min to reach equilibrium) and remarkably higher PFOS adsorption capacity (0.09 mmol g^?1) of the MatCARE? compared to a commercial activated carbon (0.07 mmol g^?1). Treatability studies, performed by treating the PFOS-contaminated soils with the MatCARE? (10 % w/w) and then incubating at 25 and 37 °C temperatures maintaining 60 % of the maximum water holding capacity of the soils for a period of a year, demonstrated a negligible release (water extractable) of the contaminant (only 0.5 to 0.6 %). The fixation of PFOS in soils by the new adsorbent was exothermic in nature. Soils with higher clay and organic matter content, but lower pH values, retained PFOS to a much greater extent. A cost analyses confirmed that the MatCARE^TM could be an economically viable option for the ‘risk-based’ remediation of PFOS in contaminated waters and soils.     

Release of Inorganic Phosphorus from Soils by Low‐Molecular‐Weight Organic Acids

Abstract

Low‐molecular‐weight (LMW) organic acids are found in soils. They originate from the activities of various microorganisms in soils or may be exuded from the roots of living plants. Several of those organic acids are capable of forming stable organo‐metal complexes with various metal ions found in soil solutions. As a result, these processes may lead to the release of inorganic phosphorus (P) associated with aluminum (Al), iron (Fe), and calcium (Ca) in soil minerals. The release of P from soils by LMW organic acids may be important to the P nutrition of plants. Studies on the release of P from soils by a variety of LMW organic acids showed that, in general, the di‐ and tricarboxylic acids were the most effective in releasing P from two Iowa soils, whereas the monocarboxylic, phenolic, and mineral acids released similar amounts of P. Oxalic, malonic, citric, and, in some cases, malic and tartaric acids were the most effective in releasing inorganic P from the two surface soils studied. There was an inverse relationship between the amounts of P released from soils and the pK_a values of the organic acids. The amounts of P released from soils were significantly correlated with the published stability constants for the formation of organic complexes of Al, Fe, or Ca (log K_Al, log K_Fe, or log K_Ca values). In general, the aliphatic acids containing α‐caboxyl and β‐hydroxyl functional groups or phenolic acids containing ortho‐hydroxyl groups were more effective in causing the release of P from soils than similar organic acids having other functional group combinations.     

Effect of Ionic Strength and pH on Cadmium Adsorption by Brazilian Variable‐Charge Soils

Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to assess the effects of pH and ionic strength (I) on cadmium (Cd) adsorption by two Brazilian Oxisols. Adsorption envelopes were constructed through soil sample reactions with 0.01, 0.1, and 1 mol L^?1 calcium nitrate [Ca(NO₃)₂] solutions containing 5 mg L^?1 of Cd, with an increasing pH value from 3 to 8. The adsorption increased drastically with increasing pH, varying from 20 to 90% in a narrow pH range (4–6 in topsoil and 5–6 in subsoil). Gibbs energy (ΔG) for Cd adsorption was negative, and the phenomenon became more thermodynamically spontaneous with an increase in pH. Under the standard 0.01 mol L^?1 I and at pH close to natural, the ΔG values ranged from ?796 to ?3427 J mol^?1. No effect of I was observed on the ΔG values for Cd adsorption at pH values less than 6. At values greater than pH 6, sharp changes in the Cd adsorption pattern were observed on subsoil samples. The only soil attribute significantly correlated with the spontaneity of Cd adsorption was the effective cation exchange capacity, ECEC (r = 0.97; p < 0.1).     

Nitrogen‐Supplying Capacity of Soils for Rice and Wheat and Nitrogen Availability Indices in Soils of Northwest India

Abstract

Quantitative assessment of soil nitrogen (N) that will become available is important for determining fertilizer needs of crops. Nitrogen‐supplying capacity of soil to rice and wheat was quantified by establishing zero‐N plots at on‐farm locations to which all nutrients except N were adequately supplied. Nitrogen uptake in zero‐N plots ranged from 41.4 to 110.3 kg N ha^?1 for rice and 33.7 to 123.4 kg N ha^?1 for wheat. Availability of soil N was also studied using oxidative, hydrolytic, and autoclaving indices, salt‐extraction indices, light‐absorption indices, and aerobic and anaerobic incubation indices. These were correlated with yield and N uptake by rice and wheat in zero‐N plots. Nitrogen extracted by alkaline KMnO₄ and phosphate borate buffer and nitrogen mineralized under aerobic incubation were satisfactory indices of soil N supply. For rice, 2 M KCl and alkaline KMnO₄ were the best N‐availability indices. Thus, alkaline KMnO₄ should prove a quick and reliable indicator of indigenous soil N supply in soils under a rice–wheat cropping system.     

Effects of Long‐Term Irrigation using Industrial Wastewater on Soil Properties and Elemental Contents of Rice,Spinach, Clover,and Grass

Abstract

Application of industrial wastewater on agricultural lands increased the amounts of elements in soil and plants. To investigate the effects of wastewater on soil properties and element content in soil and plants, wastewaters of three industries (chrome chemical, wood and paper, and textiles) were examined in 2005. At harvest time, the soil samples were taken from depths of 0–15 and 15–30 cm, and the roots and shoots of rice, spinach, clover, and grass and grain of rice in an industrial wastewater–treated area and untreated area were sampled. Results indicated that the concentrations of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) increased in river water when wastewater was discharged into it. Use of the river water, influenced by industrial wastewater, for irrigation of rice and other plants increased the amounts of organic matter and available Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe in soil. Cation exchange capacity was correlated with available Cu and Fe in soil (+0.431** and +0.499**, respectively). Soil organic matter was correlated with available Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe in soil. However, the clay content in soil did not correlate with these elements. Meanwhile, in roots, shoots, and grains of rice and roots and shoots of spinach, clover, and grasses of agricultural land influenced by industrial wastewater, the amounts of Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe increased. Therefore, by increasing the amount of Mn in the soil, the concentration of Zn in rice grain decreased and the concentration of Cu and Mn increased. Transferred Zn concentrations to rice grain and shoots of spinach, clover, and grass were more than Cu and Mn and increased in rice grain.     

Increase of Available Phosphorus by Fly‐Ash Application in Paddy Soils

Abstract

Fly ash from the coal‐burning industry may be a potential inorganic soil amendment to increase rice productivity and to restore the soil nutrient balance in paddy soil. In this study, fly ash was applied at rates of 0, 40, 80, and 120 Mg ha^?1 in two paddy soils (silt loam in Yehari and loamy sand in Daegok). During rice cultivation, available phosphorus (P) increased significantly with fly ash application, as there was high content of P (786 mg kg^?1) in the applied fly ash. In addition, high content of silicon (Si) and high pH of fly ash contributed to increased available‐P content by ion competition between phosphate and silicate and by neutralization of soil acidity, respectively. With fly‐ash application, water‐soluble P (W‐P) content increased significantly together with increasing aluminum‐bound P (Al‐P) and calcium‐bound P (Ca‐P) fractions. By contrast, iron‐bound P (Fe‐P) decreased significantly because of reduction of iron under the flooded paddy soil during rice cultivation. The present experiment indicated that addition of fly ash had a positive benefit on increasing the P availability.     

Short‐Term Effect of Lime,Phosphorus, and Iron Amendments on Water‐Extractable Lead and Arsenic in Orchard Soils

Abstract

Lead arsenate was extensively used to control insects in apple and plum orchards in the 1900s. Continuous use of lead arsenate resulted in elevated soil levels of lead (Pb) and arsenic (As). There are concerns that As and Pb will become solubilized upon a change in land use. In situ chemical stabilization practices, such as the use of phosphate‐phosphorus (P), have been investigated as a possible method for reducing the solubility, mobility, and potential toxicity of Pb and As in these soils. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of calcium carbonate (lime), P, and iron (Fe) amendments in reducing the solubility of As and Pb in lead‐arsenate‐treated soils over time. Under controlled conditions, two orchard soils, Thurmont loam (Hapludults) and Burch loam (Haploxerolls), were amended with reagent‐grade calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), iron hydroxide [Fe(OH)₃], and potassium phosphate (KH₂PO₄) and incubated for 16 weeks at 26°C. The experimental results suggested that the inorganic P increased competitive sorption between H₂PO₄ ^? and dihydrogen arsenate (H₂AsO₄ ^?), resulting in greater desorption of As in both Thurmont and Burch soils. Therefore, addition of lime, potassium phosphate, and Fe to lead‐arsenate‐contaminated soils could increase the risk of loss of soluble As and Pb from surface soil and potentially increase these metal species in runoff and movement to groundwater.     

Effects of Arsenic‐Contaminated Irrigation Water on Growth,Yield, and Nutrient Concentration in Rice

Abstract

A study was undertaken to determine the effects of different concentrations of arsenic (As) in irrigation water on Boro (dry‐season) rice (Oryza sativa) and their residual effects on the following Aman (wet‐season) rice. There were six treatments, with 0, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 mg As L^?1 applied as disodium hydrogen arsenate. All the growth and yield parameters of Boro rice responded positively at lower concentrations of up to 0.25 mg As L^?1 in irrigation water but decreased sharply at concentrations more than 0.5 mg As L^?1. Arsenic concentrations in grain and straw of Boro rice increased significantly with increasing concentration of As in irrigation water. The grain As concentration was in the range of 0.25 to 0.97 µg g^?1 and its concentration in rice straw varied from 2.4 to 9.6 µg g^?1 over the treatments. Residual As from previous Boro rice showed a very similar pattern in the following Aman rice, although As concentration in Aman rice grain and straw over the treatments was almost half of the As levels in Boro rice grain. Arsenic concentrations in both grain and straw of Boro and Aman rice were found to correlate with iron and be antagonistic with phosphorus.     

Evaluation of Distribution and Chemical Associations between Cobalt and Manganese in Soils by Continuous‐Flow Sequential Extraction

Abstract

In this study, a strong association between cobalt (Co) and manganese (Mn) in different geochemical soil phases (fractions) was evaluated using a continuous‐flow sequential extraction technique employing a modified Tessier extraction scheme. With the flow system, detailed extraction profiles of Co and Mn in soils could be obtained by plotting concentrations of the elements extracted against extraction time (plots referred to as extractograms). Extractograms may be used as an indicator of whether the elements dissolving in the same extraction step are closely associated, or are merely extractable with the same reagent. From the soil samples studied, the coincidence of Co and Mn peaks seems to indicate a close association of these elements in the exchangeable, reducible, and oxidizable fractions. Analysis of flow extraction data suggested that the association between Co and Fe is not as strong as reported in previous studies based on the statistical analysis of batch fractionation data.     

Toxicity of Cu and Cd in Soils and Detoxication by Additives

Results from laboratory experiments indicated that the concentrations and toxicities of both water-soluble and 0.1 M HCl-extractable Cu and Cd from soils were in the order of red soil> yellow brown earth> black earth. The toxicity of soil varied with the concentrations of metals. The form, concentration and toxicity of Cu and Cd in soils were determined by cation exchange capacity, content of organic matter and composition of clay minerals in the soil. Addition of CaCO3 could significantly decrease the concentration and toxicity of water-soluble and 0.1 M HCl-extractable Cu or Cd from the red soil, and could notably transform the Cu and Cd from the water-soluble or exchangeable form into the organic, free oxides-occluded or sulfic form.     

Effect of Olive‐Derived Organic Amendments on Lead,Zinc, and Biochemical Parameters of an Artificially Contaminated Soil

Abstract

An incubation experiment was conducted to ascertain the effects of three olive‐derived organic amendments (fresh, compost, and vermicompost olive cake) on the soluble and diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)–extractable lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) and on different enzymatic activities in an artificially contaminated calcareous soil. Application of the compost and vermicompost, which increased amounts of humic acids in soil, initially stimulated dehydrogenase, ß‐glucosidase, and urease activities, which tended to decline afterward. In contrast, dehydrogenase and ß‐glucosidase activities were lower after application of the fresh olive cake. Amounts of soluble Pb and Zn increased when fresh olive cake was added to the soil, due to the high content of water‐soluble carbon in this amendment. On the contrary, application of the compost and vermicompost decreased the concentration of soluble Zn and did not change the soluble Pb levels in the soil. The DTPA‐Pb and DTPA‐Zn were scarcely affected by the application of the three olive‐derived amendments.     

Bioavailability of Inorganic Phosphorus Fractions in Calcareous Soils Estimated by Neubauer Technique,Iron‐Impregnated Filter Paper,and Chemical Tests

Abstract

Plants commonly suffer from phosphorus (P) deficiency in calcareous soils. Plant responses to P application on such soils mostly show poor correlation with their soil test P values. Experiments were conducted on 24 different soil samples under laboratory and greenhouse conditions to illustrate the relationship of various inorganic P fractions in different calcareous soils with P uptake by plants, P extraction by iron‐impregnated filter paper, and P soil test values estimated by 0.5M NaHCO₃ and ammonium bicarbonate diethylene triamine penta‐acetic acid. Total P in the 24 soils ranged from 652 to 1245 mgkg^?1 with a mean of 922 mgkg^?1. A major proportion (98%) of inorganic P was in HCl‐P (Ca‐bound) form. The HCl‐P (Ca‐bound) ranged from 296 to 729 with a mean of 480 mgkg^?1. The iron (Fe) and aluminum (Al)‐P (NaOH‐P) ranged from 0.92 to 12 mgkg^?1 with a mean of 1.57 mgkg^?1. The Fe‐P (citrate‐dithionite bicarbonate) ranged from 0.22 to 4.40 mgkg^?1 with a mean of 5.99 mgkg^?1. Data regarding P release from the soil matrix obtained by desorption with iron‐impregnated filter paper was best described by the Elovich equation. Range of slope and intercept values were found to be 5.48 to 17.3 and 17.23 to 56.27 mgkg^?1, respectively. Intercept values calculated for the Elovich equation may be related to labile P initially available for plant uptake in soils. Intercept values calculated for the Elovich equation correlated (r=0.77) significantly (p<0.01) with NaHCO₃ extractable (Olsen‐P)P. Significant correlation (p<0.05) of intercept with CDB‐P (r=0.44) and of slope with HCl‐P (0.43) suggested that the initially available P, regulated through CDB‐P, is replenished by HCl‐P [calcium (Ca) bound].     

Adsorption of Potassium and Calcium Ions by Variable Charge Soils

Interactions of potassium and calcium ions with four typical variable charge soils in South China were examined by measuring pK-0.5pCa value with a potassium ion-selective electrode and a calcium ion-selective electrode,and pK value with a potassium ion-selective electrode.The results showed that adsorption of potassium and calcium ions increased with soil suspension pH,and the tendency of the pK-0.5pCa value changing with pH differed with respect to pH range and potassium to calcium ratio.Adsorption of equal amount of calcium and potassium ions led to release of an identical number of protons,suggesting similar adsorption characteristics of these two ions when adsorbed by variable charge soils.Compared with red soil,latosol and lateritic red soil had higher adsorption selectivities for calcium ion.The red soil had a greater affinity for potassium ion than that for calcium ion at low concentration,which seems to result from its possession of 2:1 type minerals,such as vermiculite and mica with a high affinity for potassium ion.The results indicated that adsorption of potassium and calcium ions by the variable charge soils was chiefly caused by the electrostatic attraction between the cations and the soil surfaces.Moreover,it was found that sulfate could affect the adsorption by changing soil surface properties and by forming ion-pair.