Residual heavy metal concentrations in sludge‐amended coastal plain soils ‐ I. Comparison of extractants

Abstract

The purposes for this research were: to examine the long‐term residual effects of farmland applications of municipal sludges from four treatment technologies on the total and extractable Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Pb, Ni and Cd concentrations in Coastal Plain soils; to investigate the effects of sludge sources and rates on the effectiveness of soil extractants to remove the various metals; and to determine correlation coefficients for soil extractable versus plant accumulation in tobacco. The extractants evaluated were Mehlich 1 and 3, and DTPA‐pH 7.3. Composite Ap horizon soil samples and tobacco leaf samples were obtained in 1984 from research plots at two sites in Maryland that were established in 1972 and 1976, respectively, using sludge materials from three wastewater treatment facilities in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region. Similar application rates were used at both sites.

A wide range in soil pH values was found among treatments at each site. Significant (p ≤ 0.05) increases were observed in total Zn, Cu, Fe, Pb, Ni, and Cd for all sludge sources with increased rates; however, values for total soil Mn exhibited high variability in all cases. The rankings among the extractants varied for some elements depending on the sludge sources. For Zn, the rankings were Mehlich 1 > Mechlich 3 > DTPA‐pH 7.3 across all sources and rates. For Cu, Mehlich 3 > Mehlich 1 > DTPA‐pH 7.3 was found for soils amended with Blue Plains digested (BPD) and Piscataway limeddigested (PLD) sludges but Mehlich 1 ≥ DTPA pH 7.3 > Mehlich 3 for Blue Plains limed compost (BPLC) and Annapolis Fe and heat treated (AFH) sludges. Concerning extractable Mn, Mehlich Mehlich 1 > Mechlich 3 > DTPH pH 7.3 was the order for BPLC and AFH sludges but Mehlich 3 > Mehlich 1 > DTPA‐pH 7.3 was observed for BPD and PLD sludges. The rankings among extractants for Fe (Mehlich 3 > Mehlich 1 > DTPA‐pH7.3), Ni (Mehlich 3 ≥ Mehlich 1 > DTPA‐pH 7.3), Pb (Mehlich 3 > DTPA‐pH 7.3 > Mehlich 1) and Cd (Mehlich 1 > Mehlich 3 > DPTA‐pH7.3) were somewhat similar across all sludge sources. Significant correlation coefficients were obtained for all three extractants for soil extractable vs. plant Zn, Cu, Ni, and Cd at both sites; however, Mehlich 3 was not significant for Mn. Also, neither of the extractants produced significant coefficients for Fe and Pb.     

Comparison of MnSO4 and MnEDTA for soybeans grown on two soils in the greenhouse

Abstract

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to compare MnSO₄ and MnEDTA as Mn sources. Four soil‐applied rates of each source were applied to two Coastal Plain soils, a Leefield s (pH 6.3) and an Alapaha is (pH 7.0). Plants were grown for 40 days and dry tissue weights were recorded along with leaf contents of Mn, Zn, Fe and Cu. The same ions were extracted from the soil with DTPA. The chelate source caused no differences in either extractable soil Mn or plant Mn between soils or among rates even when added at its highest rate of 2 μgMn/g. The sulfate source increased extractable soil Mn and plant Mn over the various rates but more so for the Alapaha soil than for the Leefield. Plant weights were not different between sources except on the averages for the Leefield soil. However, for the Leefield soil and the sulfate source, plant weights were lower for the check than for intermediate Mn rates due to Mn deficiency and lower for the high Ma rate (50 μg/g) presumably due to toxicity. A correlation coefficient of 0.866** was obtained for soil‐extracted Mn versus plant Mn concentration indicating that the DTPA was a good extractant for these two soils. High correlations between plant and soil Mn versus plant and soil Zn, Fe, and Cu for the chelate source showed that the MnEDTA affected metal ion availabilities other than just Mn. It was concluded that the MnSO₄ was the better source at the rates used and that for these soils the best rate was S μgMn/g applied to the soil.     

Comparison of water,ammonium acetate,and dtpa to assess the availability of manganese in peat substrate

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to assess the suitability of three extractants, water (press‐extract and 1:1.5 volume‐extract), 0.5 M ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) and 0.005 M DTPA for determining plant available manganese (Mn) in peat substrates. Chrysanthemum morifolium was used as a test crop. Substrates were selected for differences in Mn‐content: moss peat with 0, 15, and 30% Mn‐rich clay. The three substrates with each four levels of Mn‐addition were compared. Manganese in the water‐extracts correlated well with the Mn in the plant. Poor correlations of Mn‐NH₄OAc and Mn‐DTPA versus Mn in the plant were found, caused by the fact that the clay increased the Mn‐DTPA and Mn‐NH₄OAc, but not Mn in the plant. The clay contained Mn which was not available. Only the water‐extracts could be used to assess the availability of Mn. The correlation coefficients of Mn‐DTPA versus Mn‐NH₄OAc, of Mn‐DTPA versus Mn‐press‐extract, of Mn‐1:1.5 volume‐extract versus Mn‐NH₄OAc, and of Mn‐1:1.5 volume‐extract versus Mn‐DTPA were low. Only Mn‐1:1.5 volume‐extract versus Mn‐press‐extract and Mn‐NH₄OAc versus Mn‐press‐extract gave high correlation coefficients.     

Prediction of available heavy metals by six chemical extractants in a sewage sludge‐amended soil

Abstract

In a field experiment conducted during three years in a sandy‐loam, calcareous soil, one aerobically digested sewage sludge (ASL) and another anaerobically digested sewage sludge (ANSL) were applied at rates of 400, 800, and 1,200 kg N/ha/year, and compared with mineral nitrogen fertilizer at rates of 0, 200, 400, and 600 kg N/ha/year in a cropping sequence of potato‐corn, potato‐lettuce, and potato, the first, second, and third year, respectively. Results showed that the highest values of soil extractable metals were obtained with aqua regia, whereas the lowest levels with DTPA. All metal (Zn, Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb, and Cr) gave significant correlations between metal extracted with the different extractants and metal loading applied with the sludges. The metal extractable ion increased over the control for Zn, Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb, and Cr extracted with DTPA, EDTA (pH 8.6) and 0.1 N HC1, for Zn, Cd, Ni, Pb, and Cr extracted with EDTA (pH 4.65) and AB‐DTPA, and for Zn, Cd, Ni, and Cr extracted with aqua regia. The level of metal‐DTPA extractable resulted highly correlated with that obtained by the other methods, except the Ni‐aqua regia extractable. The soil extractable elements which showed significant correlations with metals in plant were: Zn, Cu, Cd, and Ni in potato leaves, Cd, Ni, and Pb in corn grain, and Zn and Cd for lettuce wrapper leaves. In general, all the chelate based extractants (DTPA, EDTA pH 4.6, EDTA pH 8.6, AB‐DTPA) were equally useful as indicator of plant available metals in the soil amended with sludge.     

Effects of lime and applied Mn on plant Mn,growth and chlorophyll concentration of ‘Tifway II’ bermudagrass

Abstract

A glasshouse study was conducted to determine effects of lime and Mn applied to three Florida soils on plant Mn, growth, and chlorophyll concentration of ‘Tifway II’ bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon x Cynodon transvaalensis). Four replications of three lime rates (0, 1000, and 2000 mg CaCO₃/kg as dolomite and Ca(OH)₂ for Astatula fine sand (Typic Quartzipsamment, hyperthermic, uncoated) and Pompano fine sand (Typic Psammaquent, siliceous, hyperthermic); 0, 2000, and 4000 mg CaCO₃/kg as dolomite and Ca(OH)₂ for Myakka fine sand (Aeric Haplaquod, sandy siliceous, hyperthermic) and three Mn applications (none, 10 mg Mn/kg as MnSO₄, and 5 mg Mn/kg as MnEDTA) were used in a randomized, complete block, factorial design. A wide range of plant Mn concentrations existed across treatments for each soil. Differences in plant Mn concentration did not cause significant differences in growth or chlorophyll concentration. The critical plant Mn concentration was not reached, but it appeared to be below 20 mg Mn kg for bermudagrass. Models for prediction of plant Mn concentration using soil pH and extractable soil Mn (Mehlich I, Mehlich II, DTPA‐TEA) were obtained. The applications of MnSO, and MnEDTA each resulted in increased plant Mn under acidic soil conditions. Neither Mn application resulted in increased plant Mn concentration in grass grown on Pompano fine sand with soil pH values of 7.0 or above.     

Chemical Fractions of Mn in Acidic Soils and Selection of Suitable Soil Extractants for Assessing Mn Availability to Maize (Zea Mays L.)

Twenty surface (0–15 cm) samples of acidic soils were analyzed for water soluble (WS), exchangeable (EX), lead displaceable (Pb-disp.), acid soluble (AS), manganese (Mn) oxide occluded (MnOX), organically bound (OB), amorphous Fe oxide occluded (AFeOX), crystalline iron (Fe) oxide occluded (CFeOX) and residual (RES) fractions of Mn, and also for extractable Mn in some common soil extractants: (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) (pH 7.3), DTPA (pH 5.3), AB-DTPA (pH 7.6), Mehlich-3 (pH 2.0), Modified Olsen, 0.005 M calcium chloride (CaCl₂), 1 M magnesium chloride (MgCl₂) and ion exchange resins. The WS-Mn fraction showed a significant and positive correlation with Mn extractable in DTPA (pH 5.3) and AB-DTPA (pH 7.6), while both WS-Mn and EX-Mn fractions correlated significantly and positively with Mn concentration and uptake by maize plants grown in these soils. The AB-DTPA (pH 7.6) and DTPA (pH 5.3) appeared suitable to assess the availability of Mn in acidic soils.     

Evaluation of soil extractants to estimate available micronutrients under wheat‐field conditions

Abstract

Three extracting reagents were evaluated by correlation analyses to provide the best index of Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe availability to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants growing under open field conditions. Twenty one soils were selected to obtain the widest range in properties of soils of the land wheat cultivated. The magnitude of the extractive power varied in the following order: 6NHCl ? EDTA + NH₄OA_C, pH4.65 > DTPA‐TEA, pH 7.3. The mild extractants, EDTA and DTPA, gave the same order of removal of micronutrients being Zn < Cu < Fe < Mn. The acid extractant was on the contrast more effective on Cu and Fe with respect to Zn and Mn, respectively. Wheat concentrations of Zn, Mn and Fe were significantly correlated to soil micronutrients. Highly significant relationships were found for Zn extracted by DTPA solution (r = 0.737***) and for Mn and Fe extracted by EDTA solution (r = 0.710*** and r = 0.564**). Plant Zn and Mn were also well predicted by the acid extraction. The absence of correlation for plant Cu vs. soil Cu occurred probably because of wheat concentrations almost constant, ranging from 5.0 to 8.0 mg/kg.     

Selection of a soil extraction and a multiple regression model to predict plant available manganese

Abstract

The ability of seven extractants to predict Mn uptake by barley and soybeans was compared in the greenhouse. Predictive capacities were substantially improved by inclusion of other variables, particularly soil pH. There was no advantage to extraction of moist soil samples and thus air drying proved to be a suitable sample handling procedure.

Little difference in predictive capacity occurred between the equations based on the seven extractants but the extractants were ranked as DTPA + NaHCO₃ > DTPA + NH₄HCO₃ > H₃PO₄ > hydroquinone > NH₄PO₄ > CH‐COONH₄ > DTPA + CaCl₂. All of the equations developed were useful for soil testing procedures.     

Estimation of plant available manganese in acidic subsoil horizons

Abstract

General agreement does not exist as to the most appropriate method to estimate plant available Mn in soils. In the current investigation soil and soil solution Mn were measured in limed and unlimed treatments of 11 acidic subsoil horizons and related to plant Mn concentrations, Mn uptake and growth of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L. cv. Mt. Barker) and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum cv. Cave‐in‐Rock). Manganese measurements were taken at planting and harvest and included: Mn extracted by 1M NH₄OAc (pH 7), 0.01M CaCl₂, 0.05M CaCl₂, 0.033M H₃PO₄, 0.005M DTPA, 0.2% hydroquinone in 1M NH₄OAc (pH 7), 0.01M NH₂ OH.HCl 4 2 in 0.01M HNO₃, total soil solution Mn and concentrations and 2+ activities of Mn²⁺ calculated from the GEOCHEM program. Measured and calculated values of soil solution Mn generally gave the best correlations with subterranean clover and switchgrass Mn concentrations and Mn uptake. Root Mn concentrations were highly correlated with soil solution Mn measurements taken at harvest with r=0.97 and r=0.95 (p<0.01) for subterranean clover and switchgrass respectively. The Mn extracted by 0.01M CaCl was also significantly correlated (p<0.01) with plant Mn concentrations and Mn uptake and proved to be better than the other extractants in estimating plant available Mn. Although Mn concentrations as high as 1769 mg/kg (shoots) and 8489 rag/kg (roots) were found in subterranean clover, Mn did not appear to be the major factor limiting growth. Measures of soil and soil solution Mn were not strongly correlated with yield. Both Al toxicities and Ca deficiencies seemed to be more important than Mn toxicities in limiting growth of subterranean clover and switchgrass in these horizons.     

Soybean response to the application of several elements on a low‐manganese soil

Abstract

Certain soils in the Lower Atlantic Coastal Plain are Mn‐deficient and because of their inherent properties, deficiencies of other elements might be expected. The response of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv. ‘Ransom'] to annual soil applications of B, Cu, Fe, Mo, S, and Zn with and without Mn was examined. The study was conducted on an Olustee‐Leefield sand (Ultic Haplaquod‐Arenic Plinthaquic Paleudult) in 1975, 1976, and 1977. Seed yields, and soil and plant tissue concentrations of certain of the applied elements were determined. Soil pH increased from 6.4 in 1975 to 7.0 in 1977 as a result of lime applications.

Of the seven elements studied, only Mn significantly increased soybean seed yield compared to the check. Leaf concentrations of the respective elements were higher where the element was added than they were in plants grown on the check plots. In 1977, after three years of elemental additions, plant concentrations of Mn, Cu, and Zn were higher, relative to checks, than in 1975. In 1977, with the higher soil pH levels, plants from check plots had lower concentrations of Mn, but unexpectedly equal levels of Cu and higher levels of Zn than in 1975. This unexplained increase in plant Zn was also found in Other experiments in the same field during the same time period. Double acid extracted more soil Mn, Cu, and Zn than did DTPA from similar treatments during all three years. The DTPA‐extractable soil Mn correlated much better with plant Mn than did double acid Mn values, especially over years where a change in soil pH occurred. Correlation coefficients comparing extractable soil versus plant values for Cu and Zn data combined over years were higher for double acid than DTPA, although coefficients for the Cu and Zn data were still generally much lower than for the Mn data.     

Effect of Mn on growth,modulation, and nitrogen fixation by soybeans grown in the greenhouse

Abstract

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv Bragg) plants were grown in the greenhouse using a low‐Mn Leefield sand amended with 0, 2.5, 5, 20 and 50 yg Mn/g. The plants were inoculated and were primarily dependent on symbiotically fixed N. Measurements of DTPA‐extractable soil Mn, soil pH, leaf tissue Mn, top weight, top N content, and nodule weight, volume and number were made at 27, 42, 56, 63 and 69 days after planting. The DTPA extrac‐tant was a good predictor of leaf tissue Mn giving a highly significant (P = 0.01) overall correlation coefficient of 0.704 for this comparison. Because of an unexpected decline in soil pH from 6.8 to 6.0 and an associated increase in DTPA‐extractable Mn from 0.14 to 0.24 yg/g during preparation and handling prior to the first harvest time, Mn in the leaf tissue of the controls was never less than 21 yg/g. Since this concentration of Mn is above the deficient level, no significant responses in top growth, nitrogen fixation or nodule measurements were obtained from the addition of low rates of Mn. The highest Mn rate was only mildly toxic in terms of top growth and top N content, producing leaf tissue having Mn concentrations ranging from 171 to 180 yg/g at the last three harvest periods.     

Extractability and plant uptake of heavy metals in alum shale soils

Abstract

Fifty soil samples (0–20 cm) with corresponding numbers of grain, potatoes, cabbage, and cauliflower crops were collected from soils developed on alum shale materials in Southeastern Norway to investigate the availability of [cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), and manganese (Mn)] in the soil and the uptake of the metals by these crops. Both total (aqua regia soluble) and extractable [ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃) and DTPA] concentrations of metals in the soils were studied. The total concentration of all the heavy metals in the soils were higher compared to other soils found in this region. Forty‐four percent of the soil samples had higher Cd concentration than the limit for application of sewage sludge, whereas the corresponding values for Ni, Cu, and Zn were 60%, 38%, and 16%, respectively. About 70% the soil samples had a too high concentration of one or more of the heavy metals in relation to the limit for application of sewage sludge. Cadmium was the most soluble of the heavy metals, implying that it is more bioavailable than the other non‐essential metals, Pb and Ni. The total (aqua regia soluble) concentrations of Cd, Cu, Zn, and Ni and the concentrations of DTPA‐extractable Cd and Ni were significantly higher in the loam soils than in the sandy loam soils. The amount of NH₄NCyextractable metals did not differ between the texture classes. The concentrations of DTPA‐extractable metals were positively and significantly correlated with the total concentrations of the same metals. Ammonium nitrate‐extractable metals, on the other hand, were not related to their total concentrations, but they were negatively and significantly correlated to soil pH. The average concentration of Cd (0.1 mg kg^‐1 d.w.) in the plants was relatively high compared to the concentration previously found in plants grown on the other soils. The concentrations of the other heavy metals Cu, Zn, Mn, Ni, and Pb in the plants were considered to be within the normal range, except for some samples with relatively high concentrations of Ni and Mn (0–11.1 and 3.5 to 167 mg kg‘¹ d.w., respectively). The concentrations of Cd, Cu, Zn, Ni, and Mn in grain were positively correlated to the concentrations of these respective metals in the soil extracted by NH₄NO₃. The plant concentrations were negatively correlated to pH. The DTPA‐extractable levels were not correlated with plant concentration and hence DTPA would not be a good extractant for determining plant availability in these soils.     

Crop uptake and extractability of cadmium in soils naturally high in metals at different pH levels

Abstract

A greenhouse experiment was conducted for three years to study the effect of different pH levels on metal concentrations in plants and the cadmium (Cd) extractability by DTPA and NH₄NO₃. The soils used were an alum shale (clay loam) and a moraine (loam), which were adjusted to pH levels of 5.5, 6.5, 7.0, and 7.5. Wheat (Triticum aestivum), carrot (Daucus carota L.), and lettuce (Lactuca sativa) were grown as test crops. Crop yields were not consistently affected at increasing soil pH levels. The concentration of Cd in plant species decreased with increasing soil pH in both soils and in all three years. Significant concentration differences between soil pH levels were only seen in wheat and carrot crops. Increasing soil pH also decreased the nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn) concentrations in plants in the first year crop but the copper (Cu) concentration was not consistently affected by soil pH. The effect of pH was more pronounced in the moraine then the alum shale soil. The DTPA‐and NH₄NO₃‐extractable Cd was decreased with the increasing soil pH and the pH effect was more pronounced with NH₄NO₃ extractable Cd. Both extractants were found equally effective in relation to the Cd concentration in plants in this study.     

Evaluation of universal extractants for determining plant available potassium in intensively cultivated soils

Abstract

Eighteen soils from northwestern Switzerland were used to study the value of seven universal extractants (CaCl₂; DB‐DTPA; Mehlich 1, 2, and 3; Morgan‐Wolf; and NH₄OAc‐EDTA) for predicting plant available potassium (K) as compared to a bioassay (a modified Neubauer test with winter rye). These extractants were evaluated on the basis of K uptake by the bioassay test and the soil K status. In order to create the sufficiency level of exchangeable K for plant growth, soils were treated with 0, 20, 40, 80, and 160 mg K/kg of soil. The range of K uptake by the bioassay tests was between 89.2 and 403.0 mg/kg of soil for the control pots, and 136.6 to 495.8 for the K treatments with optimal conditions for plant growth. The average amounts of K extracted by the seven universal extractants, in ascending order, were: CaCl₂ < Morgan‐Wolf < Mehlich 1 < Mehlich 2 < NH₄OAc‐EDTA < Mehlich 3 < DB‐DTPA. The highest simple correlation with K uptake versus the bioassay test was obtained with the DB‐DTPA (r = 0.89) extractant and the lowest with the Mehlich 1 (r = 0.53) extractant. The DP‐DTPA, NH₄OAc‐EDTA and Mehlich 3‐K procedures showed an advantage over K procedures based on water soluble and exchangeable K pools in the investigated soils in order to predict the amount of plant‐available K. A simple regression and the Cate‐Nelson graphic method offer the possibility of assessing the soil‐K status using K values obtained by these universal extractants and to calibrate them against K forms as follows: exchangeable, water soluble, and non‐exchangeable.     

Evaluation of the NH4HCO3‐DTPA soil test for assessing boron availability to wheat

Abstract

The NH₄HCO₃‐DTPA (AB‐DTPA), 1 MNH₄HCO₃, 0.005 M DTPA, pH=7.6, was proposed as a multi‐element extractant, for evaluating macro and micronutrients availability to plants. AB‐DTPA was also evaluated as a soil test, for assessing boron availability and toxicity to alfalfa. In a pot experiment, ten soils of Northern Greece were used to assess AB‐DTPA as an extractant of available boron to wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Yecora), in comparison with hot water and saturation extract. Boron (B) was added as borax (Na₂B₄O₇*10H₂O) to the ten soils, at rates equal to 0, 3, and 5 mg B kg^‐1. Wheat was grown in pots containing the boron amended soils to the stage of tillering, and dry aboveground biomass, B concentration and B uptake by wheat were determined. AB‐DTPA extractable B was significantly greater than saturation extract and similar to hot water at each B application rate, and was correlated significantly with hot water (r=0.84), or with saturation extract (r=0.48). Extractable boron by all extractants, boron concentration in wheat and boron uptake were significantly affected by the soil x B application rate interaction. In assessing B availability to wheat using AB‐DTPA as a soil test, CEC should be included in the regression equation for B concentration, or pH for B uptake. However, the corresponding adjusted coefficients of determination for B concentration (adjusted R²=0.46) and B uptake (adjusted R²=0.48) were similar or lower to those of hot water (adjusted R²=0.45 and 0.60, respectively) and the saturation extract (adjusted R²=0.70 and 0.49, respectively), when the latter two soil tests were used in the regression equations without the inclusion of any soil property.     

Sewage sludge incinerator ash effects on soil chemical properties and growth of lettuce and corn

Abstract

Incineration reduces sewage sludge volume, but management of the resulting ash is an important environmental concern. A laboratory incubation study and greenhouse pot experiments with lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and corn (Zea mays L.) were conducted to examine the potential for recycling elements in sewage sludge incinerator ash in agricultural systems. Ash rates in both the laboratory and greenhouse were 0, 0.95, 3.8, 15.2, and 61.0 g/kg soil (Typic Hapludoll). Ash was also compared to equivalent rates of citrate soluble P from superphosphate fertilizer in a soil‐less growth medium. During soil: ash incubation, Olsen P and DTPA extractable copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) increased with incubation time at the higher ash rates. Release rates diminished rapidly, however, and the limited release of these elements after 280 days was associated with decreasing pH. In the greenhouse, ash amendment increased extractable soil P, plant tissue P, and the growth of lettuce and corn. Ash was a less effective P source than superphosphate fertilizer in the soil‐less growth medium and Olsen P levels were more consistent with these differences than Bray P. Ash increased extractable soil levels and plant tissue concentrations of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), Cu, and Zn, but extractable soil manganese (Mn) and plant tissue Mn decreased. Ash increased soil pH and extractable SO₄‐S. DTPA extractable Cd and Pb increased, but chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni) decreased. Lettuce accumulated higher amounts of these trace metals than corn, but tissue concentrations were at control levels or below detection limits in both crops.     

Soil Test to Predict the Copper Availability in Pasture Soils

Abstract

The proportion of copper (Cu) that can be extracted by soil test extractants varied with the soil matrix. The plant‐available forms of Cu and the efficiency of various soil test extractants [(0.01 M Ca(NO₃)₂, 0.1 M NaNO₃, 0.01 M CaCl₂, 1.0 M NH₄NO₃, 0.1 M HCl, 0.02 M SrCl₂, Mehlich‐1 (M1), Mehlich‐3 (M3), and TEA‐DTPA.)] to predict the availability of Cu for two contrasting pasture soils were treated with two sources of Cu fertilizers (CuSO₄ and CuO). The efficiency of various chemical reagents in extracting the Cu from the soil followed this order: TEA‐DTPA>Mehlich‐3>Mehlich‐1>0.02 M SrCl₂>0.1 M HCl>1.0 M NH₄NO₃>0.01 M CaCl₂>0.1 M NaNO₃>0.01 M Ca(NO₃)₂. The ratios of exchangeable: organic: oxide bound: residual forms of Cu in M1, M3, and TEA‐DTPA for the Manawatu soil are 1:20:25:4, 1:14:8:2, and 1:56:35:8, respectively, and for the Ngamoka soil are 1:14:6:4, 1:9:5:2, and 1:55:26:17, respectively. The ratios of different forms of Cu suggest that the Cu is residing mainly in the organic form, and it decreases in the order: organic>oxide>residual>exchangeable. There was a highly significant relationship between the concentrations of Cu extracted by the three soil test extractants. The determination of the coefficients obtained from the regression relationship between the amounts of Cu extracted by M1, M3, and TEA‐DTPA reagents suggests that the behavior of extractants was similar. But M3 demonstrated a greater increase of Cu from the exchangeable form and organic complexes due to the dual activity of EDTA and acids for the different fractions and is best suited for predicting the available Cu in pasture soils.     

Effect of chelating agents on phytotoxicity of lead and lead transport

Abstract

The major purpose of these experiments was to determine if Pb uptake by plants was significantly increased by chelating agents used in plant nutrition. The interaction of Pb with some other elements in barley plants (Hordeum vulgare L. C.V. Atlas 57) and bush bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. C.V. Improved Tendergreen) was studied in a glasshouse with different rates of Pb in solution culture and in amended (control, S, CaCO₃, MgCO₃) Yolo loam soil with and without the chelating agent DTPA (diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid). In a solution culture experiment, 10^‐3 M Pb significantly decreased bush bean yields in both control and DTPA treatments. The CaCO₃ added to nutrient solution decreased the concentration of Pb in leaves, stems, and roots and prevented the toxicity of 10^‐3 M Pb⁺⁺. At high Pb levels, interactions between Pb and Mn and Pb and Fe were observed, except with CaCO₃. In the soil experiment, the yields of barley and bush bean were influenced only slightly by Pb. The Pb concentration in barley shoots and bush bean leaves and stems was increased considerably in the presence of DTPA, however. In the absence of DTPA, the effect of added Pb was very small in the control and S amended soil treatments and almost negligible in the CaCO₃ and MgCO₃ amended soil treatments. Application of DTPA facilitated the translocation of Pb, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn to shoots. The effect was dependent upon soil pH. Particularly, the Fe was increased by DTPA at low pH while the effect was negligible at high pH. This was opposite the effect on Pb. The DTPA resulted in considerable Pb transport to leaves and stems at high soil pH. The uptake pattern of Zn and Cu was similar to that of Pb. It can be expected that chelating agents can increase the migration of Pb to plants andincrease its uptake by plants, and hence, entry into food chains.     

AB‐DTPA cation extraction in Spanish soil samples

Abstract

Since only one extraction is required to determine a large number of nutrients, many laboratories employ universal extractants to determine the available nutrients in a soil sample. This paper compares the universal ammonium bicarbonate‐DTPA (AB‐DTPA) method developed by Soltanpour and Schwab (1977) with the traditional methods, ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) test for exchangeable cations and the Lindsay and Norwell (1969) test for the micronutrients. Results from the analysis of 28 soils by these methods were compared. Most soils were selected from those used by the Spanish Working Group for the Standardization of Analytical Methods. In most cases, statistical correlations between methods presented good agreement for each element, but depending on the soil pH range, some elements needed two correlations. Also, when results for wet and dry soils were compared, variability was lower when the AB‐DTPA extraction method was used. We concluded that, besides being faster, the AB‐DTPA method is valid for Spanish soils, even for calcium (Ca) extraction in calcareous soils, where the ammonium acetate method fails due to excessive Ca solubilization.     

Zinc,copper, and nickel availabilities as determined by soil solution and DTPA extraction of a sludge‐amended soil

Abstract

Extracting sludge‐amended soil with DTPA does not always give a reliable measure of plant‐available heavy metals. The major purpose of this greenhouse pot study was to help explain why. Two anaerobically digested sludges from sewages treated with either Ca(OH)₂or FeCl₃were applied to 3‐kg samples of a Mollic Albaqualf previously limed with Ca(OH)₂rates of 0, 2.5, and 10g/pot that resulted in pHs in the check pots of 5.4, 6.2, or 7.7 after the first harvest. Sludge rates provided 0, 200, 40, 800, and 1600 mg Zn kg^‐1of soil. Two consecutive crops of soybeans (Glycine MaxL.) were grown for 42 d each in the greenhouse. DTPA‐extractable, soil‐solution, and plant concentrations of Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Zn²⁺were measured.

Dry matter yields were depressed due to salt toxicity, while DTPA‐extracted Cu²⁺correlated with plant uptake of Cu²⁺for both sludges. DTPA‐extracted Ni²⁺also correlated with plant Ni²⁺from the Ca(OH)₂‐sludge‐amended soil, although DTPA‐extracted Ni²⁺did not correlate with plant uptake of Ni²⁺from the FeCl₃‐sludge‐amended soil, DTPA‐extracted Zn did not correlate with plant uptake of Zn²⁺from any sludge‐amended soil. Soil‐solution composition correlated with plant uptake of Cu²⁺and Ni²⁺in both sludges; it also correlated with plant uptake of Zn²⁺from FeCl₃‐sludge‐amended soil but not from Ca(OH)₂‐sludge‐amended soil. DTPA extraction probably failed with Ni²⁺and Zn²⁺because of (i) its ineffectiveness at low pH, (ii) the inability of DTPA to buffer each soil extract near pH 7.3, and (iii) increased amounts of soluble chelated micronutrients at higher sludge rates and higher soil pHs. Soil‐solution composition seemed to fail only where micronutrient cations in solution probably were present largely as organic chelates