Copper,Chromium, Nickel,Lead and Zinc Levels and Pollution Degree in Firing Range Soils

Small‐arms firing ranges are an important source of metal contaminants in the ecosystems located near these facilities, owing to the constant fall and alteration of the ammunition remnants on the soil, particularly in nearby berms. The objectives of this study were to analyse the pollution of chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in rifle/pistol shooting range soils, to estimate their availability and to evaluate the influence of the ammunition used. The concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr and Ni range from 55 to 6·309, 34 to 264, 19 to 98, 40 to 79 and 11 to 33 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. The moderate acidity and organic matter content favour the availability of Pb, followed by Cu > Zn > Ni > Cr. The values of different contamination indexes (I_geo, pollution index and integrated pollution index) suggest that Pb soil contamination is moderate to heavy, especially in the berm area and moderate for Cu and Zn. Lead ammunition is the main source of pollution, but another one was identified owing to the concentrations of Fe, Cr and Ni detected. Further studies are needed to verify their long‐term potential adverse effects. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Availability and Toxic Level of Cadmium,Lead and Nickel in Contaminated Soils

ABSTRACT

The entry of Cd, Pb and Ni into the environment is a cause of concern due to potential toxicity of these metals to plants, animals, and humans. The present study evaluated the availability of Cd, Pb, and Ni to plants through soils. We examined three soil types (Typic Quartzipsamment (TQ), Xantic Hapludox (XH) and Rhodic Hapludox (RH)) with addition four rates of heavy metals: Cd (0, 2, 4 and 12 mg), Pb (0, 45, 90 and 270 mg) and Ni (0, 20, 40, 120 mg) per kg soil with reference to the corresponding rates defined in soil investigation values of the Brazilian environmental legislation. The availability of Cd, Pb and Ni was higher in the TQ than in XH and RH, and the roots and shoots of corn plants grown in TQ yielded the highest concentrations of toxic metals. Soil extraction with diethylene-triaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) effectively assessed the bioavailability of Cd and Pb, while soil extractions with Mehlich-1 and aqua regia effectivety evaluated the bioavailability of Ni. The levels at which Cd, Pb, and Ni became toxic for plants were determined via extractioned by Mehlich-1, DTPA, Mehlich-3, and aqua regia. Plant growth was shown to influence heavy metal toxicity, with higher growth rates lowering the toxic effect of the metal. Cd, Ni, and Pb exhibited higher availiability in soils with low clay concentrations and were more easily absorbed by plants in those soils.     

Differential Sorption Behavior of Cadmium,Lead, Zinc,and Copper in Some Tropical Soils and Their Environmental Implications

This study evaluated cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) sorption characteristics of three tropical soils. Data obtained conformed to Freundlich sorption model and the S-shaped isotherm curve. Sorption efficiency of Zn and Pb were highest in alkaline soil while slightly acid soil had the highest Cd and Cu sorption efficiency for monometal sorption. In competitive sorption, metals were more sorbed in slightly acid soil while the least efficiency was recorded in acid soil. Distribution coefficient; K_d (average across soil types) in monometal sorption followed the order: Pb > Zn > Cd > Cu. For competitive sorption, the order was Zn > Pb > Cu > Cd. When in competition, Cd was preferentially sorbed in slightly acid and alkaline soils and Zn for acid soil. Conclusively, lead is more in equilibrium solution when in competition with Cd, Zn and Cu making it potential agent of soil and groundwater pollution.     

Cadmium,Lead, Copper,Zinc, and Nickel in Lettuce and Dry Beans as Related to Mehlich-3 Extraction in Three Brazilian Latossols

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were grown in three Brazilian Red-Yellow Latossols (Oxisols) in greenhouse conditions with cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and nickel (Ni) applied to soils in treatments arranged as a randomized complete block design. Plant metals were analyzed in lettuce shoots and dry beans roots, stems, leaves, and seeds. After plant growth, soil samples from the pots were extracted with Mehlich-3 (M-3) for metal availability evaluation. The release of Ni in the M-3 extraction was dependent on the soil exchangeable aluminum (Al^{3 +}). Mehlich-3 was efficient for determination of availability of Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Ni for dry beans and availability of Cd and Ni for lettuce. The dry bean leaves Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Ni were highly correlated with their recovering from soils with M-3. The same was observed for Cd and Ni in lettuce shoots and the M-3 recovered metals from soils.     

土壤紧实度对伴矿景天生长及镉锌吸收性的影响研究

采集黏土、壤黏土和砂质壤土,分别设置无压实、低紧实度及高紧实度3种处理,通过盆栽试验研究了土壤紧实度对Cd、Zn超积累植物伴矿景天生长和Cd、Zn吸收性的影响。结果表明,与无压实处理比较,砂质壤土、壤黏土和黏土中伴矿景天地上部生物量在低紧实度下显著下降66.8%~83.5%、59.9%~60.4%和57.9%~71.4%;高紧实度处理却显著提高了伴矿景天的根系活力(142%~241%)。高紧实度处理显著降低了壤黏土上伴矿景天地上部Cd和Zn含量,但低紧实度对砂质壤土和黏土上伴矿景天地上部Cd和Zn含量无显著影响。与无压实处理比较,低紧实度显著降低了砂质壤土、壤黏土和黏土上伴矿景天的Cd吸取量,分别下降50.4%~73.8%、61.4%~74.9%和43.4%~63.3%,Zn吸取量下降48.7%~79.5%、73.6%~79.0%和46.1%~63.5%;土壤紧实度对壤黏土上伴矿景天的镉锌吸取效率影响最明显。     

生物炭/石灰混施对重金属复合污染土壤的稳定化效应

采用室内模拟实验,以南方砷镉铅复合污染的酸性红壤为对象,利用化学钝化原理,探讨钝化材料对重金属稳定化的技术效果及应用配方,以期为砷镉铅复合污染红壤修复与安全利用提供依据。具体做法为：选择生物炭（BC）和石灰（SH）为钝化材料,以土壤重量的1%、4%为材料添加量,单一或混合施用于砷镉铅复合污染土壤,并于恒温（25℃）条件下培养60d,在实验进行至第1天、第30天、第60天时取样,测定红壤酸碱度（pH）和水溶态（Water soluble）有效砷（As）、镉（Cd）、铅（Pb）即WSAs、WSCd、WSPb含量,以及土壤重金属As、Cd、Pb结合态含量与占比的变化,明确生物炭石灰单/混施对重金属的稳定化效应。结果表明：生物炭/石灰无论单施或混施均能不同程度地降低土壤中水溶态WSCd和WSPb含量,钝化效率分别为33.51%～78.89%和9.05%～96.24%。而材料单施（1BC、4SH）和两者混施高用量（4BC4SH）处理,均能大幅降低土壤中有效As含量,钝化效率为10.25%～55.27%,其中以两者混施高用量（4BC4SH）处理对土壤重金属As、Cd、Pb协同钝化的效果最佳,当培养实验进行至第60天时,钝化效率依次达55.27%、76.39%和96.24%。培养后土壤中As形态由易被植物吸收的非专性吸附态、专性吸附态转化为稳定的残渣态,土壤中Cd和Pb则由活性最强的酸可提取态转化为残渣态,土壤中As、Cd、Pb的稳定化效应明显,迁移系数下降;此外,生物炭/石灰的单施及混合施用,均可导致土壤酸碱度（pH）显著提升（P<0.05）,有利于南方酸化土壤的改良。总体而言,本研究中生物炭/石灰两者混施高用量水平下（4BC4SH）土壤重金属的钝化效果最优,可实现对As、Cd和Pb复合污染红壤的稳定化修复。     

Evaluation of Cadmium,Copper, Lead,and Zinc Levels in Soil Samples near Locust Pods

The genus Prosopis is a tree or shrub in the leguminosae family, subfamily fabaceae (mimosaceae). Many plants of the genus Prosopis are known to have medicinal properties. Only one species of Prosopis is found in Jordan, Prosopis farcta (Banks & Sol.) J.F. Macbr. The local name is Yanbout, and the English name is locust pods.

The aim of this study was to investigate some selected heavy metals including cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in Prosopis farcta, an unexplored Jordanian species of the Prosopis genus, because no data are available about these levels in this medicinal plant. These metals were tested in different parts of Prosopis farcta including root, aerial, and fruit as ethanolic extract plant and dry plant. Moreover, these metals were investigated in soil samples collected from the same area in which Prosopis farcta was grown. Results revealed that there was a significant difference between root and fruit for all test elements (P < 0.05). Roots were found to contain high average concentrations of Pb (2.14 µg g^?1), Cu (18.56 µg g^?1), and Zn (13.74 µg g^?1). Copper and Zn concentrations in Prosopis farcta were within the permissible limits, whereas Pb concentration exceeded the permissible limit. Moreover, soil samples were analyzed for the metals. Results revealed that there was a positive correlation between the levels of Cu and Zn in medicinal plants and soils, whereas there was a negative correlation for Pb.

Two certified reference materials (tea leaves, NCSDC 73351; soil, GBW 07406) were analyzed to authenticate the accuracy of the method, and the precision was expressed by relative standard deviation.     

Lead and Cadmium in Soils of La Rioja Vineyards,Spain

Land degradation can be triggered by the abuse of chemicals that damage soil quality. Agriculture is changing the chemical and physical properties of soils, and in vineyards, those changes are due to the use of pesticides. In order to assess the Pb and Cd content, 212 soil samples from La Rioja D.O.Ca were analysed. Concentrations of Pb in soil ranged from 0·96 to 64·31 mg kg⁻¹ with a mean concentration of 21·26 mg kg⁻¹ in the surface layer, while they ranged from 7·97–43·93 mg kg⁻¹ with a mean of 20·83 mg kg⁻¹ in the subsurface layer. The mean content of bioavailable lead was 1·03 mg kg⁻¹ in the surface layer and 0·76 mg kg⁻¹ in the subsurface. Cd overall average concentration was 0·29 mg kg⁻¹ in the surface; in the subsurface, the mean was 0·31 mg kg⁻¹ and ranged from 0·10 to 1·22 mg kg⁻¹. The values in the surface layers were 0·15 mg kg⁻¹ and in the subsurface layer 0·01 of Cd bioavailability. On the basis of pedogeochemical Pb and Cd distribution, balanced fertilization will be of great importance for sustainable development of agricultural wine‐producers. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Distribution of Zinc,Manganese, Copper,Cobalt, and Nickel in Andosols Profiles

The distribution of zinc, manganese, copper, cobalt, and nickel in Andosols was investigated. Sixty nine soil samples were collected from different horizons of an Andosols profile in Miyakonojo Basin in south Kyushu, Japan, The total contents of heavy metals were determined by digestion and four extraction solutions, 1 M NH₄Ac (ammonium acetate) pH 4.5, 0.1 M HCl, 0.01 M EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) pH 6.5, and 0.005 M DTPA (diethylenetri-aminepentaacetic acid) pH 7.3 were used to determine the contents of available Zn, Mn, Cu, Co, and Ni in Andosols in relation to the organic carbon content. The results of the extraction analysis showed that by the use of 0.1 M H Cl high value of extracted heavy metals in the upper layers of the humus horizons were obtained while EDTA extraction yielded a large amount of the above mentioned metals in the high humus horizons. The extractable heavy metals contents were high and these metals closely related to the organic carbon content mostly in the humus horizons in the profile. Where, biocycling process may play an important role in the concentration of heavy metals. Based on the study, it was found that the total content of Zn increased towards the C horizons or pumice layers in the soil profile. Such a trend was also found in the case of the Mn content. While the Cu content in the humus horizons was much higher in the upper part of each humus horizon. According to this study the distribution of heavy metals, Cu (organic matter complexes) in the Andosols profile was more stable than that of Zn (organic matter complexes) in soils. It was shown that Zn in the surface humus horizon was enriched but that some amount was leached under buried conditions. The same phenomenon was also observed in the distribution of Mn in the profile. The movement of Co and Ni in the soil profile was limited, as evidenced by the sharp reduction in the concentrations of these two metals in buried soils.

Hence, it is concluded that the distribution of Zn, Mn, Cu, Co, and Ni was considerably higher in the humus horizons of the Andosols profiles.     

Bioaccumulation and Distribution of Lead,Zinc, and Cadmium in Crops of Solanaceae Family

Comparative research has been carried out to determine the quantities and accumulation of lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and cadmium (Cd) in the vegetative and reproductive organs of crops of the Solanaceae family (tomato, pepper, and aubergine) as well as to identify the possibilities of growing them on soils contaminated by heavy metals. The analyses were carried out by inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometry after dry ashing. Heavy metals have an impact on the development and productivity of the crops of the Solanaceae family. The high anthropogenic contamination impedes the normal development and fruit‐bearing ability of the pepper and aubergine plants, and in the case of tomatoes, it led to an increased assimilation of heavy metals without reducing the yield and the quality of the production of tomatoes. Crops from the Solanaceae family, tomato, pepper, and aubergine plants, could be cultivated on soils having low and medium levels of contamination of heavy metals, because they do not show a tendency to accumulating Pb, Zn, and Cd in their fruits, which could still be used for consumption.     

Impact of Cow Dung Manure on the Solubility of Copper,Lead, and Zinc in Urban Garden Soils from Northern Nigeria

Maintaining the quality of groundwater is a major consideration when developing management practices to effectively use cow dung manure (CDM) as a nutrient source and soil conditioner in agricultural production systems. This study examines the effect of CDM on the solubility of copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in urban garden fields from Kaduna under long-term vegetable production. Soil samples were collected from Kakau, Kakuri, Trikaniya, and Romi in Kaduna metropolis in northern Nigeria. Soil–manure mixtures at the rate of 100 g CDM kg^?1 soil were incubated for 2 weeks and analyzed for exchangeable [0.1 M calcium chloride (CaCl₂)–extractable], mobile [1 M ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃)–extractable], and potentially labile [0.05 M ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)–extractable] copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn). Addition of CDM increased exchangeable Cu in Kakuri and Romi and exchangeable Pb in Kakau and Kakuri, but decreased exchangeable Zn across the sites. The addition of CDM increased mobile Cu and Pb in all the sites. Although there was a decrease in mobile Zn in Kakau and Romi after the soil–manure incubation period, mobile Zn increased in Trikaniya and Kakuri. Furthermore, CDM decreased potentially labile Cu, Pb, and Zn in all the sites except for Romi, which increased labile Cu. To sustain the quality of soil and minimize groundwater pollution and food chain contamination, use of CDM in urban garden soils polluted with Cu, Pb, and Zn should be regulated or discouraged entirely to reduce the mobility of these metals.     

Comparison of Analytical Methods for Quantifying the Levels of Lead,Cadmium, Chromium,and Nickel in Mineral Fertilizers and Industrial By-products

The control of contaminants in fertilizers and industrial by-products is fundamental to safe food production, and it requires low-cost, reliable test methods. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the USEPA 3051a and alternative analytical methods [concentrated hydrochloric acid (HCl), 10 percent HCl, 10 percent sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), and 50 mmol L^?1 diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)] for quantifying the levels of lead, cadmium, chromium, and nickel in zinc and/or copper sources. The sample digestions with concentrated HCl, H₂SO₄, and nitric acid (HNO₃) (USEPA 3051a) were heated. Extraction without heating and stirring was employed in 10 percent HCl and 50 mmol L^?1 DTPA methods. The Graybill’s modified F-test, t-test for mean error, and the linear correlation coefficient analysis were used to compare test method performance. Equivalent results to USEPA 3051a were found with the following methods: DTPA for the extraction of lead in zinc sources and concentrated HCl and H₂SO₄ for the extraction of cadmium and chromium in copper sources. However, the absolute values of cadmium, chromium, and nickel recovered by the use of H₂SO₄ were greater regardless of the source. The greater extraction of contaminants in the evaluated methods suggests that there is need to review the official method if the aim is to quantify the total levels of these elements in raw materials and mineral fertilizers.     

Effects of Co-Application of Zeolites and Vermicompost on Speciation and Phytoavailability of Cadmium,Lead, and Zinc in a Contaminated Soil

In this study, we investigated, with pot experiments, whether combined application of zeolites and vermicompost is more effective than single application on plant growth and heavy metals’ uptake in a heavy metal contaminated soil. The results showed that co-application of these amendments decreased zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) availability by their redistribution from plant available forms to organic matter and metal oxide associated fractions. While, the addition of vermicompost and zeolites increased the lead (Pb) concentration significantly in the soluble/exchangeable form as compared with the control. Applying vermicompost individually or in combination with zeolites markedly increased plant biomass. Single zeolites and vermicompost reduced Zn and Pb contents of corn roots and shoots compared to un-treated soil, but less compared to the combined zeolite and vermicompost treatments. The results obtained suggest that co-application of zeolites and vermicompost could be an option for immobilizing Cd, Pb, and Zn in heavy metal contaminated soils.     

Distribution and Availability of Heavy Metals in Raw and Acidulated Phosphate Rock–Amended Soils

Abstract

The effectiveness of the application of raw (PR‐1), and partially acidulated phosphate rock (PR), at 25% (PR‐25) and at 50% (PR‐50), was investigated to reduce extractability and plant uptake of Pb, Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn in three calciorthids soils.Furthermore, the effects of soil treatments on metal extractability were evaluated by sequential extraction. Similarly, such effects were assessed on the phytoavailability of metals of maize (Zea mays L.) through a pot experiment. Water‐soluble and exchangeable metal fractions (the bioavailable fractions) were influenced distinctively by PR treatments and soil properties. In addition, decrease of soluble and exchangeable metal fractions was compensated by an increase in metal extracted from other fractions. Most bioavailable soil metals correlated significantly with their associated level in plant tissue. Finally, plant metal uptake decreased with PR treatments, suggesting that PR application was likely to be effective in controlling metal immobilization in these soils.     

大冶市农田土壤中镉的空间分布特征及污染评价

矿山开采和冶炼是造成土壤重金属Cd污染的主要原因,了解典型区域土壤中Cd的空间分布特征及其污染现状,可为区域土壤污染防治与安全利用提供重要信息。本研究针对湖北省大冶市所有农田采集92个表层土壤样品和3个土壤剖面,利用GIS方法对土壤重金属Cd空间分布特征及污染状况进行了研究。结果表明大冶市土壤中Cd的含量范围为0.6 ~ 4.6 mg/kg,平均值为1.41 mg/kg,Cd迁移深度可达 40 cm。区域内土壤Cd污染范围较广,空间变异较大,还地桥镇、罗桥街办、陈贵镇等地农田土壤Cd含量较高。地积累指数评价结果显示大冶市大部分农田土壤为轻度、中度污染程度,在合理调整种植结构等方式下仍可保障农田安全利用。     

贵州贵阳市郊区菜园土壤重金属污染的初步调查

对贵州省贵阳市乌当、白云、花溪及清镇四个区域菜园土壤重金属Ｈｇ、Ｐｂ、Ａｓ、Ｃｒ、Ｃｄ污染现状进行了调查与分析，在分析各调查区域的环境背景特征的基础上，计算各区域菜园土壤重金属污染指数，应用对应分析技术，计算出各区域菜园土壤重金属的污染特征，结果表明：贵阳市郊区菜园土壤重金属污染相当严重，各调查区域间菜园土壤重金属污染有一定差异，总体上清镇、白云、花溪较乌当污染严重，各区域间Ｈｇ、Ｃｒ、Ａｓ污染水平差异明显，Ｐｂ、Ｃｄ污染差异不大，根据研究提出了控制贵阳市郊区菜园土壤重金属污染成因．     

铅镉高污染土壤的钝化材料筛选及其修复效果初探

本研究以重金属高污染农田土壤(全Pb含量为1 277 mg/kg,全Cd含量为39.0 mg/kg)为研究对象,通过土培试验和玉米苗期盆栽试验,探讨海泡石、石灰、腐植酸、钙镁磷肥、磷矿粉、生物质炭等常用稳定材料不同剂量及复配组合对高污染土壤重金属的钝化修复效应。土培试验结果表明,石灰对Pb和Cd钝化效果最好,其次是海泡石,但两者表现为较高添加量处理间没有显著差异;而低剂量生物质炭和腐植酸显著增加土壤有效态Pb和Cd含量,高剂量生物质炭具有较好的钝化效果。盆栽试验表明,海泡石与石灰配施钝化效果较好,与对照相比,土壤氯化钙提取态Pb、Cd含量分别降低了97.5%、81.4%;玉米根和地上部Cd含量分别降低48.5%、34.0%,Pb含量分别降低35.6%、29.6%;但海泡石与磷材料配施显著增加玉米根Pb含量,对玉米Cd吸收没有显著影响。以上结果表明,重金属高污染农田土壤添加合适的改良剂,可较大幅度降低土壤重金属有效性和植物重金属吸收性。     

新乡市大棚菜田土壤重金属积累特征及污染评价

采用微波消解-ICP-AES技术,测定不同种植年限大棚菜田土壤样品中As、Pb、Zn、Cd、Cr、Mn、Ni、Cu等重金属的含量,研究不同种植年限与大棚菜田土壤重金属累积的相关性以及大棚菜田土壤重金属累积特征,并利用地积累指数法进行污染评价。结果表明:大棚菜田土壤重金属Zn、Pb、Ni、Mn和Cu的含量与种植年限具有极显著相关性;大棚菜田土壤中重金属Cd和Cr的含量与种植年限不相关。重金属元素间相关性分析表明,Zn与Pb、Cd、Ni、Mn、Cr、Cu,Pb与Cd、Ni、Mn、Cr、Cu,Cd与Ni、Mn、Cr,Ni与Mn、Cr、Cu,Mn与Cr、Cu具有污染同源性,Cu与Cd、Cr不具有污染同源性。地积累指数法污染评价结果显示Cd的污染等级达到了6级,已构成了极严重污染;Zn和Cu的污染等级达到2级,已构成了中度污染;Pb、Mn的污染等级达到1级,已经构成了轻~中度污染;As、Ni、Cr均未构成污染。     

Chemical Extractability of Lead in Field-Contaminated Soils: Implications for Estimating Total Lead

Lead (Pb) is frequently present in urban soils at concentrations of concern for human health. Regulations for Pb are based on total soil concentrations as determined by acid digestion, but a less expensive screening test for Pb would be useful in facilitating more thorough soil testing of urban areas if it could be shown to correlate strongly to total soil Pb. In this study, three extractants (0.1 M citrate, MM, and 1 M nitric acid) were evaluated for their ability to estimate the total Pb in contaminated soils. Nitric acid not only extracted a greater fraction of total soil Pb but also produced the strongest correlation to total Pb and is concluded to be the superior extractant for a soil Pb screening test. As the spatial distribution of Pb was observed in selected soils to be highly heterogeneous on the micron scale, thorough soil homogenization prior to testing is recommended.     

Chelate-Assisted Phytoextraction of Cadmium and Lead using Mustard and Fenugreek

A screen-house experiment was conducted to study cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) phytoextraction using mustard and fenugreek as test crops. Cadmium was applied at a rate of 20 mg kg^?1 soil for both crops, and Pb was applied at 160 and 80 mg kg^?1 soil for mustard and fenugreek, respectively. The disodium salt of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) was applied at 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 g kg^?1 soil. Dry-matter yield (DMY) of both crops decreased with increasing rates of EDTA application. Application of 1.5 g EDTA kg^?1 soil caused 23% and 70% declines in DMY of mustard and fenugreek shoots, respectively, in the soils receiving 20 mg Cd kg^?1 soil. Similarly, in soil with 160 mg Pb kg^?1 soil, application of 1.5 g EDTA kg^?1 resulted in 25.4% decrease in DMY of mustard shoot, whereas this decrease was 55.4% in fenugreek grown on a soil that had received 80 mg Pb kg^?1 soil. The EDTA application increased the plant Cd and Pb concentrations as well as shoot/root ratios of these metals in both the crops. Application of 1.5 g kg^?1 EDTA resulted in a 1.50-fold increase in Cd accumulation and a 3-fold increase in Pb accumulation by mustard compared to the control treatment. EDTA application caused mobilization of Cd and Pb from carbonate, manganese oxide, and amorphous iron oxide fractions, which was evident from decrease in these fractions in the presence of EDTA as compared to the control treatment (no EDTA).