Heavy-Metal Phytoextraction Potential of Spinach and Mustard Grown in Contaminated Calcareous Soils

Laboratory batch and greenhouse pot experiments were conducted to determine the extraction efficiency of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) for solubilizing lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) and to explore the natural and chemically induced Pb and Cd phytoextraction efficiencies of spinach and mustard after EDTA application. The EDTA was applied at 0, 1.25, 2.5, and 5.0 mM kg^?1 soil in three replicates. Addition of EDTA increased significantly the soluble fraction Pb and Cd over the control and maximum increases for Pb (1.42- and 1.96-fold) and Cd (1.45- and 1.38-fold) were observed with the addition of 5.0 mM EDTA kg^?1 in Gujranwala and Pacca soils, respectively. Similarly, addition of EDTA increased significantly the Pb and Cd concentrations in the plant shoots, soil solution, bioconcentration factor, and phytoextraction rate. Mustard exhibited better results than spinach when extracting Pb and Cd from both contaminated soils.     

Cadmium Accumulation and Its Effects on Uptake of Micronutrients in Indian Mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.] Grown in a Loamy Sand Soil Artificially Contaminated with Cadmium

A pot experiment was conducted in a greenhouse to evaluate the effects of different levels of cadmium (Cd) on Cd accumulation and their effects on uptake of micronutrients in Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.]. Cadmium accumulation in shoots and interactions among other metals [manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn)] were investigated. Ten levels of Cd ranging from 0 to 200 mg kg^–1 soil were tested. The crop was grown for 60 days in a loamy sand soil with adequate basal fertilization of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), and dry-matter yield (DMY) was recorded. The plants were analyzed for total Cd and micronutrients, and the soil was analyzed for diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)–extractable Cd. Experimental results showed that the DTPA-extractable Cd in the soil increased consistently and significantly with increase in rates of Cd application up to 200 mg Cd kg^–1 soil. Significant reduction in the DMY of Indian mustard occurred with application of 5 mg Cd kg^–1 soil and greater. The content as well as uptake of Cd by Indian mustard increased significantly over the control at all rates of its application. It increased from 5.95 μg pot^–1 in the control to 150.6 μg pot^–1 at Cd application of 200 mg kg^–1 soil. Application of Cd to soil though decreased the content of micronutrients in plants, but significant reduction occurred only for Fe at rates beyond 50 mg Cd kg^–1 soil. However, the total removal of Fe, Zn, and Cu registered a significant decline over the control at and above Cd application of 10 mg kg^–1 and that of Mn beyond 10 mg kg^–1. In loamy sand soil, a DTPA-extractable Cd level of 3.8 mg kg^–1 soil and in plant content of 28.0 μg Cd g^–1 DMY was found to be the upper threshold levels of Cd for Indian mustard. Considerable residual content in the soil suggests that once the soil is contaminated by Cd it remains available in the soil for decades, and food crops grown on these soils may be a significant source of Cd toxicity to both humans and grazing animals.     

Roles of Bacillus megaterium in Remediation of Boron,Lead, and Cadmium from Contaminated Soil

Phytoremediation is an attractive, economical alternative to soil removal and burial methods to remediate contaminated soil. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of adding different rates of Bacillus megaterium on the capacity of Brassica napus plants to take up boron (B), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) from polluted soils under field conditions. Field experiments were conducted using a randomized complete block design with control (without pollution and B. megaterium application) and B, Pb, and Cd in two doses (0 and 100 mg kg^?1), B. megaterium with four doses (no application and 10⁸ cfu B. megaterium ml^?1 sprayed at 50 ml plot^?1, 100 ml plot^?1, 150 ml plot^?1). Results indicated that soil pollution treatments significantly decreased seed (SDMY), shoot (SHDMY), root (RDMY), and total dry-matter yield (TDMY) of plants at 42.9, 3.8, 62.6, and 23.4% for B-polluted treatment; 25.8, 8.7, 17.6, and 14.2% for Pb-polluted treatment; and 33.2, 7.0, 14.0, and 16.4% for Cd-treatment without B. megaterium application, respectively. However, the application of B. megaterium ameliorated the negative effects of B, Pb, and Cd at 41.4, 52.7, and 10.9% for B; 24.4, 21.6, and 4.9% for Pb; and 22.8, 22.0, and 3.3% for Cd, respectively. The potentially bioavailable and relatively available fraction of soil B, Pb, and Cd increased with increases in the B. megaterium application but total fraction and stable fraction decreased. It is concluded that the seed and shoot parts of B. napus can be used as hyperaccumulators for plant B, Pb, and Cd remediation according to remediation factors but the shoot is the biggest part of the plant, and thus an important portion of the plant to remove B, Pb, and Cd from the B-, Pb-, and Cd-contaminated soils. To decrease desired concentration for 8 mg B kg^?1, 4 mg Pb kg^?1, and 3 mg Cd kg^?1 in the active rooting zone of soil, approximately 2, 6, and 21 years would be necessary with only 150 ml plot^?1 B. megaterium–sprayed soil cultivated with B. napus, respectively.     

Bioaccumulation of Lead by Indian Mustard in a Loamy Sand Soil Artificially Contaminated with Lead: Impact on Plant Growth and Uptake of Metal

In a screen-house study, the effects of artificially contaminating the soil with lead (Pb) at levels ranging from 0 to 1500 mg kg^?1 soil on the growth and uptake of Pb and micronutrients by Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.] grown on a loamy sand soil (Typic Ustorthent) were investigated. The crop was grown for 60 days with adequate basal fertilization of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and dry matter was recorded. The plants were analyzed for total Pb and micronutrients, and the soil was analyzed for diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable Pb. The DTPA-extractable Pb measured before sowing of Indian mustard increased consistently and significantly with increase in rates of Pb application to soil. It increased from 0.65 mg kg^?1 in the control to 199.8 mg kg^?1 in soil treated with 1500 mg Pb kg^?1 soil. Significant reduction in the dry-matter yield of Indian mustard occurred with Pb applications of 500 mg kg^?1 soil and greater. The concentration as well as uptake of Pb by Indian mustard increased significantly over control at all rates of its application. It increased from 9.4 μg pot^?1 in the control to 220.6 μg pot^?1 at Pb application of 1500 mg kg^?1 soil. Applications of Pb to the soil decreased the concentration of micronutrients in plants, but a significant reduction occurred only for iron at rates greater than 500 mg Pb kg^?1 soil. However, the uptake of iron, manganese, and copper registered a significant decline at Pb application of 500 mg kg^?1 and greater and that of zinc at 750 mg kg^?1 and greater. In a Typic Ustorthent soil, a DTPA-extractable Pb level of 59.5 mg kg^?1 and plant content of 44.2 μg Pb g^?1 dry matter was found to be the upper threshold levels of Pb for Indian mustard. This study suggests that once the soil is contaminated by Pb, it remains available in the soil for a long time, and such soils, if ingested with food crops, may be a significant source of Pb toxicity to both humans and grazing animals.     

Phytoextraction of heavy metal contaminated soils with Thlaspi goesingense and Amaranthus hybridus: Rhizosphere manipulation using EDTA and ammonium sulfate

Selection of appropriate plant species and rhizosphere manipulation to enhance metal uptake are considered key factors in the development of phytoextraction technologies. A pot trial was conducted with two contaminated soils to investigate the effect of EDTA and ammonium sulfate on the accumulation of heavy metals into shoots of the low‐biomass hyperaccumlator Thlaspi goesingense Hálácsy (Brassicaceae) and the high‐biomass non‐hyperaccumulating plant Amaranthus hybridus (Amaranthaceae). Upon application of 1 g EDTA (kg soil)^—1 metal extractability with 1 M NH₄NO₃ increased substantially, whereas the application of (NH₄)₂SO₄ was less effective. The EDTA treatment increased the heavy metal concentrations in both plant species, however, the difference to the control was larger for A. hybridus. EDTA enhanced shoot concentrations in A. hybridus grown on soil Arnoldstein from 32.7 mg kg^—1 to 1140 mg kg^—1 for Pb and from 3.80 mg kg^—1 to 10.3 mg kg^—1 for Cd. Cd concentrations in shoots of T. goesingense were also increased by EDTA application, however, a slight decrease was observed for Pb. T. goesingense accumulated 2840 mg Pb kg^—1 without any treatment. This is the first report of Pb hyperacumulation by T. goesingense. A decrease of shoot Pb concentration was observed in T. goesingense upon treatment with ammonium sulfate. Although metal concentrations in the shoots were rather large and significantly increased upon application of EDTA, plant growth and heavy metal removal were still too small to obtain reasonable extraction rates in soils heavily polluted by metals. It should be also noted that metal lability largely increased in EDTA‐treated soils and this lability persisted for several weeks after the application of the chelating agent, which is likely to be associated with the risk of groundwater contamination.     

Influence of phosphorus application on growth and cadmium uptake of spinach in two cadmium‐contaminated soils

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of phosphate (P) application on diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)–extractable cadmium (Cd) in soil and on growth and uptake of Cd by spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). Two soils varying in texture were contaminated by application of five levels of Cd (NO₃)₂ (0, 20, 30, 40, and 60 mg Cd kg^–1). Three levels of KH₂PO₄ (0, 12, and 24 mg P kg^–1) were applied to determine immobilization of Cd by P. Spinach was grown for 60 d after seeding. Progressive contamination of soils through application of Cd affected dry‐matter yield (DMY) of spinach shoot differently in the two soils, with 67% reduction of DMY in the sandy soil and 34% in the silty‐loam soil. The application of P increased DMY of spinach from 4.53 to 6.06 g pot^–1 (34%) in silty‐loam soil and from 3.54 to 5.12 g pot^–1 (45%) in sandy soil. The contamination of soils increased Cd concentration in spinach shoots by 34 times in the sandy soil and 18 times in the silty‐loam soil. The application of P decreased Cd concentration in shoot. The decrease of Cd concentration was higher in the sandy soil in comparison to the silty‐loam soil. Phosphorus application enhanced DMY of spinach by decreasing Cd concentration in soil as well as in plants. The results indicate that Cd toxicity in soil can be alleviated by P application.     

Growth,survival, and heavy metal (Cd and Ni) uptake of spinach (Spinacia oleracea) and fenugreek (Trigonella corniculata) in a biochar‐amended sewage‐irrigated contaminated soil

Irrigation of arable land with contaminated sewage waters leads to the accumulation of trace metals in soils with subsequent phyto‐/zootoxic consequences. In this study, biochar derived from cotton sticks was used to amend an agricultural silt‐loam soil that had been previously irrigated with trace metal contaminated sewage waters. Metal accumulation and toxicity to spinach (Spinacia oleracea) and fenugreek (Trigonella corniculata) was investigated by measuring concentrations of Cd and Ni in plant tissues and various photosynthetic and biochemical activities of plants. Positive impacts of biochar on both spinach and fenugreek were observed in terms of biomass production that increased from 29% to 36% in case of spinach, while for fenugreek this increase was 32% to 36%. In the control treatment there was an increase in malondialdihyde, soluble sugar, and ascorbic acid contents, indicating heavy metal stress. Biochar applications increased soluble proteins and amino acids in plants and reduced the uptake of Cd from 5.42 mg kg^?1 at control to 3.45 mg kg^?1 at 5% biochar amended soil and Ni (13.8 mg kg^?1 to 7.3 mg kg^?1 at 5% biochar) by the spinach plants. In fenugreek, the Cd was reduced from 7.72 mg kg^?1 to 3.88 mg kg^?1 and reduction in Ni was from 15.45 mg kg^?1 to 9.46 mg kg^?1 at 5% biochar treated soil, reducing the possibility of transfer up the food chain. This study demonstrates that the use of biochar made from cotton‐sticks, as an amendment to arable soils that have received contaminated irrigation water, could improve plant growth and decrease Cd and Ni uptake to crops, alleviating some of the negative impacts of using sewage waters on arable land.     

Comparative Phytoremediation of Chromium‐Contaminated Soils by Fenugreek,Spinach, and Raya

Abstract

A glasshouse investigation was undertaken to evaluate the natural potential of fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecum L.), spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), and raya (Brassica campestris L.) for cleanup of chromium (Cr)–contaminated silty loam and sandy soils. Four kilograms of soil per treatment in earthen pots was treated with five levels of chromium [0, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 mg Cr kg^?1 soil through dipotassium chromate (K₂Cr₂O₇], equilibrated for 21 days at field-capacity moisture content, and then fenugreek, spinach, and raya were grown for 60 days after seeding. The concentration of diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)‐extractable Cr increased significantly with increasing rate of Cr application in both soils, but the increase was higher in sandy soil than in silty loam soil. The DTPA‐extractable Cr in both soils decreased after harvesting of crops compared to its concentration in soil before sowing of the crops. The decrease in DTPA‐extractable Cr concentration was highest in soil growing raya and least in the fenugreek‐growing soil. The percent reduction in dry‐matter yield (DMY) with increasing levels of added Cr in comparison to the zero‐Cr control was highest for fenugreek (49 and 52%) followed by spinach (36 and 42%) and lowest for raya (29 and 34%) in silty loam soil and sandy soil, respectively. Also, the percent reduction in mean shoot yield of all crops was higher in sandy soil (41%) compared to silty loam soil (36%), when the rate of applied Cr was increased from 0 to 10 mg Cr kg^?1 soil. The DMY of both shoot and root was highest for raya and lowest for fenugreek. The Cr concentration in fenugreek, spinach, and raya increased with increasing level of added Cr in both soils. The concentration of Cr in both shoot and root was highest in raya, followed by spinach and fenugreek. The overall mean uptake of Cr in shoot was almost four times and in root was about two times higher in raya compared to fenugreek. The findings indicated that family Cruciferae (raya) was most tolerant to Cr toxicity, followed by chenopodiacea (spinach) and Leguminosae (fenugreek). Because raya removed the highest amount of Cr from soil, it could be used for pytoremediation of mildly Cr‐contaminated soils.     

Fraction Distributions of Lead,Cadmium, Copper,and Zinc in Metal‐Contaminated Soil before and after Extraction with Disodium Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid

Abstract: The fraction distributions of heavy metals have attracted more attention because of the relationship between the toxicity and their speciation. Heavy‐metal fraction distributions in soil contaminated with mine tailings (soil A) and in soil irrigated with mine wastewater (soil B), before and after treatment with disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), were analyzed with Tessier's sequential extraction procedures. The total contents of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) exceeded the maximum permissible levels by 5.1, 33.3, 3.1, and 8.0 times in soil A and by 2.6, 12.0, 0.2, and 1.9 times in soil B, respectively. The results showed that both soils had high levels of heavy‐metal pollution. Although the fractions were found in different distribution before extraction, the residual fraction was found to be the predominant fraction of the four heavy metals. There was a small amount of exchangeable fraction of heavy metals in both contaminated soils. Furthermore, in this study, the extraction efficiencies of Pb, Cd, and Cu were higher than those of Zn. After extraction, the concentrations of exchangeable Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn increased 84.7 mg·kg^?1, 0.3 mg·kg^?1, 4.1 mg·kg^?1, and 39.9 mg·kg^?1 in soil A and 48.7 mg·kg^?1, 0.6 mg·kg^?1, 2.7 mg·kg^?1, and 44.1 mg·kg^?1 in soil B, respectively. The concentrations of carbonate, iron and manganese oxides, organic matter, and residue of heavy metals decreased. This implies that EDTA increased metal mobility and bioavailability and may lead to groundwater contamination.     

Effect of Silicon on Growth, Physiology, and Cadmium Translocation of Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) in Cadmium-Contaminated Soil

Silicon(Si) offers beneficial effect on plants under cadmium(Cd) stress such as promoting plant growth and increasing resistance to heavy metal toxicity. In this study, a pot experiment was performed to study the role of Si in alleviating Cd toxicity in tobacco(Nicotiana tabacum L.) plants on a yellow soil taken from Guiyang, China. Nine treatments consisting of three concentrations of Cd(0, 1, and 5 mg kg~(-1)) together with three Si levels(0, 1, and 4 g kg~(-1)) were established. Plant growth parameters, Cd concentration,and the malondialdehyde(MDA), chlorophyll, and carotenoid contents were determined 100 d after transplanting of tobacco seedlings.Application of exogenous Si enhanced the growth of tobacco plants under Cd stress. When 5 mg kg~(-1) Cd was added, Si addition at 1 and 4 g kg~(-1) increased root, stem, and leaf biomass by 26.1%–43.3%, 33.7%–43.8%, and 50.8%–69.9%, respectively, compared to Si addition at 0 g kg~(-1). With Si application, the transfer factor of Cd in tobacco from root to shoot under both 1 and 5 mg kg~(-1) Cd treatments decreased by 21%. The MDA contents in the Si-treated tobacco plants declined by 5.5%–17.1% compared to those in the non-Si-treated plants, indicating a higher Cd tolerance. Silicon application also increased the chlorophyll and carotenoid contents by 33.9%–41% and 25.8%–47.3% compared to the Cd only treatments. Therefore, it could be concluded that Si application can alleviate Cd toxicity to tobacco by decreasing Cd partitioning in the shoots and MDA levels and by increasing chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, thereby contributing to lowering the potential health risks of Cd contamination.     

Effects of Soil Amended with Cadmium and Lead on Growth,Yield, and Metal Accumulation and Distribution in Parsley

A greenhouse experiment was designed to determine the cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) distribution and accumulation in parsley plants grown on soil amended with Cd and Pb. The soil was amended with 0, 5, 10 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 mg Cd kg^?1 in the form of cadmium nitrate [Cd(NO₃)₂] and 0, 5, 10, 50 and 100 mg Pb kg^?1 in the form of lead nitrate [Pb(NO₃)₂]. The main soil properties; concentrations of the diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)–extractable metals lead (Pb), Cd, copper (Cu), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn) in soil; plant growth; and total contents of metals in shoots and roots were measured. The DTPA-extractable Cd was increased significantly by the addition of Cd. Despite the fact that Pb was not applied, its availability was significantly greater in treatments 40–100 mg Cd kg^?1 compared with the control. Fresh biomass was increased significantly in treatments of 5 and 10 mg Cd kg^?1 as compared to the control. Further addition of Cd reduced fresh weight but not significantly, although Cd concentration in shoots reached 26.5 mg kg^?1. Although Pb was not applied with Cd, its concentration in parsley increased significantly in treatments with 60, 80, and 100 mg Cd g^?1 compared with the others. Available soil Pb was increased significantly with Pb levels; nevertheless, the increase was small compared to the additions of Pb to soil. There were no significant differences in shoot and root fresh weights between treatments, although metal contents reached 20.0 mg Pb kg^?1 and 16.4 mg Pb kg^?1 respectively. Lead accumulation was enhanced by Pb treatments, but the positive effect on its uptake was not relative to the increase of Pb rates. Cadmium was not applied, and yet considerable uptake of Cd by control plants was evident. The interactive effects of Pb and Cd on their availability in soil and plants and their relation to other metals are also discussed.     

Comparison of Low-Molecular-Weight Organic Acids and Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid to Enhance Phytoextraction of Heavy Metals by Maize

We compared acetic, ascorbic, and oxalic acids with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to enhance phytoextraction of nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) by maize. Except ascorbic acid, acids significantly (P < 0.05) decreased shoot dry weight with maximum (5.60 g pot^?1) recorded with ascorbic acid and minimum with oxalic acid (4.06 g pot^?1). Maximum ammonium bicarbonate–diethylenetriaminepenta acetic acid (AB-DTPA)–extractable nickel (19.94 mg kg^?1) was recorded with EDTA and it was minimum (10.57 mg kg^?1) with oxalic acid. The EDTA significantly (P < 0.05) increased AB-DTPA-extractable lead while other acids decreased it. Except acetic acid, other acids significantly (P < 0.05) increased Ni and Zn concentration in shoots with maximum Ni (9.22 mg kg^?1) and Zn (37.40 mg kg^?1) with EDTA.     

Chelate-enhanced phytoextraction and phytostabilization of lead-contaminated soils by carrot (Daucus carota)

The objective of this study was to study the influence of different ethylenediamine tetraacetate (EDTA), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) and oxalic acid (HOx) concentrations on tolerance and lead (Pb) accumulation capacity of carrot (Daucus carota). The results indicated that by increasing Pb, NTA and HOx concentrations in the soil, the shoot, taproot and capillary root dry matters increase effectively. In contrary, EDTA caused to reduce capillary roots biomass. EDTA was more effective than NTA and HOx in solubilizing soil Pb. The highest Pb content in shoots (342.2 ± 13.9 mg kg^?1) and taproots (301 ± 15.5 mg kg^?1) occurred in 10 mM EDTA, while it occurred for capillary roots (1620 ± 24.6 mg kg^?1) in 5 mM HOx, when the soil Pb concentration was 800 mg kg^?1. The obtained high phytoextraction and phytostabilization potentials were 1208 (±25.6) and 11.75 (±0.32) g Pb ha^?1 yr^?1 in 10 mmol EDTA kg^?1 soil and no chelate treatments, respectively. It may be concluded that chelate application increases Pb uptake by carrots. Consequently, this plant can be introduced as a hyperaccumulator to phytoextract and phytostabilize Pb from contaminated soils.     

EDTA-Enhanced Phytoremediation of Lead-Contaminated Soil by Corn

EDTA-enhanced phytoremediation by corn (Zea mays L.) of soil supplemented with 500 mg L^?1 lead (Pb) was examined. The chelate EDTA was used in order to increase Pb bioavailability at four levels: 0 (control), 0.5 (low), 1.0 (medium), and 2.5 mmol kg^?1 (high). Plants were grown under controlled conditions in a growth-chamber with supplementary light. An EDTA concentration of 5.0 mmol kg^?1 was lethal to plants. At high and medium EDTA levels plants grew significantly less than control ones. Lead concentrations in corn leaves increased with increased EDTA levels. Plants subjected to medium EDTA level had the greatest root to shoot Pb translocation. Plants subjected to high EDTA level showed high phosphorus (P) uptake and translocation within plants. Therefore, possibly it was not only Pb that caused toxic effect on plants, but also the high internal concentration of P that in turn could have complexed active Fe.     

Heavy‐Metal Contamination of Soil and Vegetables in Wastewater‐Irrigated Agricultural Soil in a Suburban Area of Hanoi,Vietnam

The To Lich and Kim Nguu Rivers, laden with untreated waste from industrial sources, serve as sources of water for irrigating vegetable farms. The purposes of this study were to identify the impact of wastewater irrigation on the level of heavy metals in the soils and vegetables and to predict their potential mobility and bioavailability. Soil samples were collected from different distances from the canal. The average concentrations of the heavy metals in the soil were in the order zinc (Zn; 204 mg kg^?1) > copper (Cu; 196 mg kg^?1) > chromium (Cr; 175 mg kg^?1) > lead (Pb; 131 mg kg^?1) > nickel (Ni; 60 mg kg^?1) > cadmium (Cd; 4 mg kg^?1). The concentrations of all heavy metals in the study site were much greater than the background level in that area and exceeded the permissible levels of the Vietnamese standards for Cd, Cu, and Pb. The concentrations of Zn, Ni, and Pb in the surface soil decreased with distance from the canal. The results of selective sequential extraction indicated that dominant fractions were oxide, organic, and residual for Ni, Pb, and Zn; organic and oxide for Cr; oxide for Cd; and organic for Cu. Leaching tests for water and acid indicated that the ratio of leached metal concentration to total metal concentration in the soil decreased in the order of Cd > Ni > Cr > Pb > Cu > Zn and in the order of Cd > Ni > Cr > Zn > Cu > Pb for the ethylenediaminetetraaceitc acid (EDTA) treatment. The EDTA treatment gave greater leachability than other treatments for most metal types. By leaching with water and acid, all heavy metals were fully released from the exchangeable fraction, and some heavy metals were fully released from carbonate and oxide fractions. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the vegetables exceeded the Vietnamese standards. The transfer coefficients for the metals were in the order of Zn > Ni > Cu > Cd = Cr > Pb.     

Fractionation of chromium in tannery sludge-amended soil and its availability to fenugreek plants

Purpose

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is a medicinal plant with antidiabetic effects. Chromium has been related to better glucose tolerance in humans. The objective of this study was to determine whether tannery sludge could be used for Cr biofortification of fenugreek.

Materials and methods

Soil was mixed with tannery sludge containing 6.03 g Cr kg^?1. All Cr was in the form of Cr(III). Three treatments were disposed: control without sludge, and two treatments with 10 and 20 g sludge kg^?1, respectively. Control and the 10 g sludge kg^?1 treatments received NPK fertilizer to adjust the concentrations of major mineral nutrients to similar levels in all treatments. Soils were potted and planted with fenugreek. Plants harvested at the initial flowering stage were analysed for total Cr, Fe, Zn and Pb. Sequential soil extraction was applied to obtain operationally defined soil Cr fractions.

Results and discussion

Total Cr in all treatments was below or within the allowable range for agricultural soils (100–150 mg kg^?1). In control soils, most Cr was in the residual fraction (HF/HClO₄ digest). Tannery sludge-amended soils incorporated most Cr into the moderately reducible fraction (oxalic acid/ammonium oxalate extract). In fenugreek shoots, Cr concentrations reached 3.2 mg Cr kg^?1, a higher concentration than that reported for other leafy vegetables. Lead concentrations in plant shoots from this treatment were enhanced but hardly exceeded 1 mg Pb kg^?1.

Conclusions

Tannery sludge-amended soils containing Cr within the range of permissible concentrations can increase shoot Cr in fenugreek. Only sludge with low Pb concentrations should be used for Cr biofortification of fenugreek.     

Heavy-Metal Bioavailability and Chelate Mobilization Efficiency in an Assisted Phytoextraction Process by Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr

Chelate-induced phytoextraction is an innovative technique for cleaning metal- contaminated soil. The present study evaluates the degree of metal mobilization in soil and enhancement of phytoextraction of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) by Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr. from artificially contaminated soil by application of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). After 30 days of plant growth, the pots were divided into three sets (0.0, 2.5, and 5.0 mmol EDTA per kg soil). Experimental results indicated that levels of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)–extractable metals and metals in the leachate decreased as the EDTA dose increased. Plant growth parameters and total chlorophyll contents in the plants with EDTA applied were less than those of control. However, EDTA application significantly reduced metal accumulation in root and increased metal accumulation in the shoot of plants; similar results were obtained for the bioconcentration factor and translocation factor. The application of 5 mmol EDTA kg^?1 to metal-spiked soil may be an efficient alternative for the chemically enhanced phytoextraction by S. sesban.     

Predicting heavy metal transfer from soil to plant: potential use of Freundlich‐type functions

Soil‐plant transfer of metals is a nonlinear process. We therefore aimed at evaluating the potential of Freundlich‐type functions (c_Plant = b × c_Soil^a) to predict Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn concentrations in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain and leaf (c_Plant) from soil concentrations (c_Soil). Wheat plants and soil A horizons, mainly developed from Holocene sediments, were sampled at 54 agricultural sites in Slovakia. Metals were extracted from soils with 0.025 M EDTA at pH 4.6 and concentrated HNO₃/HClO₄ (3:1); plant samples were digested with concentrated HNO₃. Total metal concentrations of soil samples were 0.07—25 mg Cd kg^—1, 9.3—220 mg Cu kg^—1, 14—1827 mg Pb kg^—1, and 34—1454 mg Zn kg^—1. On average, between 20 % (Zn) and 80 % (Cd) of the total concentrations were EDTA‐extractable. The total metal concentrations of grain samples were < 0.01—1.3 mg Cd kg^—1, 1.3—6.6 mg Cu kg^—1, < 0.05—0.30 mg Pb kg^—1, and 8—104 mg Zn kg^—1. The leaves contained up to 3.2 mg Cd kg^—1, 111 mg Cu kg^—1, 4.3 mg Pb kg^—1, and 177 mg Zn kg^—1. Linear regression without data transformation was precluded because of the nonnormal data distribution. The Freundlich‐type function was suitable to predict Cd (grain: r = 0.71, leaf: 0.86 for the log‐transformed data) and Zn concentrations (grain: 0.69, leaf: 0.68) in wheat grain and leaf from the EDTA‐extractable metal concentrations. The prediction of Cu and Pb concentrations in grain (Cu: r = 0.44, Pb: 0.41) was poorer and in leaf only possible for Pb (0.50). We suggest to use the Freundlich‐type function for defining threshold values instead of linear regression because it is more appropriate to simulate the nonlinear uptake processes and because it offers interpretation potential. The results suggest that the coefficient b of the Freundlich‐type function depends on the intensity of metal uptake, while the coefficient a reflects the plants' capability to control the heavy metal uptake. The latter is also sensitive to metal translocation in plants and atmospheric deposition.<?show $6#>     

Accumulation of lead and arsenic in Malabar spinach (Basella alba L.) and sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) leaves grown on urban and orchard soils

Ethnic vegetable crops are increasingly being grown in the United States and may accumulate heavy metals when grown on urban soils. This study evaluated accumulation of lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) in tissues of Malabar spinach (Basella alba L.) and sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) grown on an urban and an orchard soil with Pb concentrations of 1,120 and 272 mg kg^?1, respectively, and As concentrations of 6.92 and 90 mg kg^?1, respectively. Tissue Pb was higher in both crops grown on both contaminated soils compared with an uncontaminated soil, while tissue As was higher on the orchard soil only. Malabar spinach did not accumulate Pb or As in its shoot, but concentrations of both metals were higher in sweet potato stems compared to leaves or tubers. Consumption of sweet potato stems should be avoided when sweet potato leaves are grown as a vegetable on soils with elevated levels of Pb and As.     

Effect of Application of Chromium Feedstock Compost on the Growth and Bioavailability of Some Trace Elements in Lettuce

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of chromium compost (0, 10, 30, and 50%) on the growth and the concentrations of some trace elements in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and in the amended soils. Compost addition to the soil (up to 30%) increased dry matter yield (DMY); more than 30% decreased DMY slightly. The application of compost increased soil pH; nitric acid (HNO₃)–extractable copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn); and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)–, Mehlich 3 (M3)–, and ammonium acetate (AAc)–extractable soil Cr and Zn. The addition of Cr compost to the soil increased tissue Cr and Zn but did not alter tissue cadmium (Cd), Cu, iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and Pb. The Cr content in the lettuce tissue reached 5.6 mg kg^?1 in the 50% compost (326 mg kg^?1) treatment, which is less than the toxic level in plants. Our results imply that compost with high Cr could be used safely as a soil conditioner to agricultural crops.