Predicting Metal Uptake and Risk to the Human Food Chain from Leaf Vegetables Grown on Soils Amended by Long-Term Application of Sewage Sludge

The success of risk assessment of metal contaminated soils depends on how precisely one can predict the bio-availability of metals in soil and transfer to the human food chain. In the present investigation, we tested several formulations of the ‘free-ion activity model (FIAM)’ to predict uptake of Cd, Zn and Cu by perpetual spinach (Beta vulgaris, Cicla) grown on a range of soils amended with sewage sludge. The model was parameterised using data measured on samples of pore water extracted by centrifugation and with porous Rhizon samplers installed within the rhizosphere of the growing plants. Free ion activities (M²⁺) were estimated following speciation of solution data using version 6 of the ‘Windermere Humic Aqueous Model (WHAM-VI). For all three metals, the best formulation of the FIAM appeared to require only one hypothetical root sorption site without competition from protons. Values of (M²⁺) could also be predicted satisfactorily from a pH-dependent Freundlich relation. Thus, from a combined FIAM–Freundlich relation and population dietary information, it was possible to estimate risk (hazard quotients) to consumers from very simple soil measurements: extractable metal content (0.05 M EDTA (Zn and Cu) or 1 M CaCl₂ (Cd)), soil humus content and pH. The role of increased soil organic matter content and soil pH, in reducing risk to consumers, is illustrated for Cd in a hypothetical soil at the current UK statutory Cd limit for sludge application to agricultural land.     

Arsenic Accumulation in Two Vegetables Grown in Soils Amended with Arsenic-Bearing Chicken Manures

The use of organoarsenic roxarsone as a feed additive, which is widely used as a growth promoter in animal production, has caused concern over potential negative environmental impacts. A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the growth and arsenic (As) uptake of pakchoi cabbage and tomatoes grown in a gray Fluvo-aquic soil amended with 2% As-bearing chicken manures to which 50 mg kg^?1 and 80 mg kg^?1 roxarsone were added, respectively. Arsenic accumulation factors of pakchoi cabbage were significantly greater than those of shoots of tomato. The biomass, As content, and As accumulation factors of both vegetables showed significant differences with species. The correlations between As contents and biomass of the vegetables were positive in pakchoi cabbage and negative in tomato. Arsenic accumulation was apparent in pakchoi cabbage; therefore, crop species with a potential to accumulate As, such as pakchoi cabbage, should be avoided when fertilizing with As-polluted manures due to food safety concerns.     

Effects of ISPOLIN Fertilizer on Uptake of Macro- and Trace Elements by Wheat Grown in Two Different Soils

Variations in concentrations of 24 elements in soils with loam and sandy loam texture and in Triticum aestivum wheat seedlings grown in the soils under greenhouse conditions were studied. Initial soils differed significantly in concentrations of 20 elements. Elemental composition of wheat seedlings depended on the soil where the plants were grown. An application of ISPOLIN (fertilizer enriched with potassium) resulted in variations in soil pH, plant biomass, and concentrations of several elements both in soils and in plants. An excess of bioavailable potassium (K) in soil led to significant increase of K and deficiency of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) in all parts of T. aestivum. Concentrations of many other elements in the plants also changed. The effects of soil fertilization on plant biomass, leaf chlorophyll, and plant element concentrations were soil-dependent. Depending on the ratio of K/Mg in the soils, there was either an increase of plant yield and chlorophyll content or no effect at all.     

Heavy-Metal Uptake and Growth of Bouteloua Species in Semi-arid Soils Amended with Biosolids

An experiment was conducted in three wild grass species of Bouteloua genus to compare the effect of application of biosolids on the accumulation of heavy metals, biomass production, and nutrient uptake. Biosolids were applied at rates of 0, 3.5, 7, and 10.5 Mg ha^?1 to two different soil types collected from the southern Chihuahuan Desert. The shoot biomass of B. gracilis (BOGR) and B. scorpioides (BOSC) was two to three times greater than the control while in B. curtipendula (BOCU) in was 75% in both soils. In BOGR, nitrogen and phosphorus uptake were 4–4.5 times greater than the control in calcareous soil. With few exceptions, there was no significant difference of heavy-metal concentrations (copper, chromium, arsenic, nickel, and zinc) in the plant tissues compared to the control. The application of biosolids showed interspecies variability in growth response and nutrient uptake with a minimal risk of heavy-metal uptake for Bouteloua wild species.     

Prolonged Testing of Metal Mobility in Mining-Impacted Soils Amended with Phosphate Fertilisers

The aim of the study was to determine whether the application of superphosphate fertiliser to soils contaminated with mine wastes can inhibit metal and metalloid mobility (Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Fe, Mn, As, Sb) in the long term. Contaminated soils contained sulfide- and sulfate-rich waste materials from the Broken Hill and Mt Isa mining centres. Results of long-term (10 months) column experiments demonstrate that fertiliser amendment had highly variable effects on the degree of metal and metalloid mobilisation and capture. Rapid release of metals from a sulfate-rich soil showed that phosphate amendment was ineffective in stabilising highly soluble metal-bearing phases. In a sulfide-rich soil with abundant organic matter, complexing of metals with soluble organic acids led to pronounced metal (mainly Cd, Cu and Zn) release from fertiliser-amended soils. The abundance of pyrite, as well as the addition of fertiliser, caused persistent acid production over time, which prevented the formation of insoluble metal phosphate phases and instead fostered an increased mobility of both metals and metalloids (As, Cd, Cu, Sb, Zn). By contrast, fertiliser application to a sulfide-rich soil with low organic carbon content and a sufficient acid buffering capacity to maintain near-neutral pH resulted in the immobilisation of Pb in the form of newly precipitated Pb phosphate phases. Thus, phosphate stabilisation was ineffective in suppressing metal and metalloid mobility from soils that were rich in organic matter, contained abundant pyrite and had a low acid buffering capacity. Phosphate stabilisation appears to be more effective for the in situ treatment of sulfide-rich soils that are distinctly enriched in Pb and contain insignificant concentrations of organic matter and other metals and metalloids.     

Accumulations of Cadmium,Zinc, and Copper by Rice Plants Grown on Soils Amended with Composted Pig Manure

A pot experiment, in which composted pig manure was applied to soils at rates of 0%, 0.5%, 1.5%, 3.0%, and 5.0% (W/W) to simulate additions of different amounts of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) to soil, was conducted to assess accumulation of metals by rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants from soils treated with manure. Results indicated that Cd concentrations in rice grains were more than the limit of 0.2 mg kg^?1 when 0.14 mg kg^?1 or more Cd was loaded to Ferralsols by manure application, but it was not more than the limit in Calcaric Cambisols. Zinc contents in polished rice grains did not exceed the permissible limit of 50 mg kg^?1 in two soils. Copper concentrations in rice grain were slightly more than the limit of 10 mg kg^?1 in Ferralsols but not in Calcaric Cambisols. Results suggested greater risk of heavy‐metal contamination from manure to paddy rice in Ferralsols than in Calcaric Cambisols.     

Growth and Heavy-Metal Uptake by Lettuce Grown in Soils Applied with Sewage Sludge Compost

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of sewage sludge compost (SSC) alone and applied with chemical fertilizer on growth and heavy-metal accumulations in lettuce grown on two soils, a Xanthi-Udic Ferralosol and a Typic Purpli-Udic Cambosol. The treatments included control; nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium (NPK) fertilizer; sewage sludge compost applied at the rates of 27.54 (SSC), 82.62 (3SSC), 165.24 (6SSC) t hm^–2; and coapplication treatment (1/2 SSC + 1/2 NPK), where the N, P, and K inputs from NPK fertilizer, SSC, and coapplication treatments were normalized to the local recommend rates. The SSC application increased the biomass; copper, zinc, and lead contents in lettuce; and soil total and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)–extractable metals. However, SSC alone at the recommended rate caused less plant biomass than NPK fertilizer alone. Coapplication treatment obtained greater or similar biomass to NPK fertilizer alone and did not increase heavy-metal accumulation in soils and plants. The results demonstrated that SSC should be applied to soils with chemical fertilizers.     

Grain Yield and Mineral Element Composition of Maize Grown on High Phosphorus Soils Amended with Water Treatment Residual

ABSTRACT

The potential for phosphorus (P) movement from poultry-litter amended soils into surface waters heightens the need to manage elevated P concentrations. Amending high P soils with aluminum (Al) rich drinking water treatment residue in a greenhouse study reduced water extractable P levels and induced P deficiency in container grown wheat. Objectives of the current investigation were to determine the effect of water treatment residue on grain yield, leaf and grain mineral nutrient concentrations in corn (Zea mays L.) grown under field conditions and to examine pH, water and Mehlich 3-extractable P, and 0.01 M calcium chloride extractable Al in the amended soils at two sites. Poultry litter was amended with 0, 5.6, and 11.2 Mg ha^{? 1} of water treatment residual and applied to two sites prior to planting with corn in 1998. Additional rates (16.8 and 33.6 Mg ha^{? 1}) of water treatment residue were applied directly to half of each plot on site I in 1999. Results indicated that water treatment residue application did not adversely affect corn grain yields or alter concentrations of mineral nutrients in leaves and grain. Water and Mehlich 3-extractable P and calcium chloride extractable Al concentrations were unchanged with water treatment residue applications in both years on both sites. Further studies are needed concerning optimal annual dosages and long term loading rates for direct soil application of water treatment residue to reduce soluble phosphorus.     

不同城市功能区绿地土壤重金属分布及其生态风险评价

对山东中部某典型城市9个城市功能区64个绿地土壤样品中的Cu,Zn,Pb,Cd 4种重金属元素含量进行了测定,评价了土壤重金属污染特征及其生态风险。结果表明:各功能区绿地表层土壤Cu,Zn,Pb和Cd的平均含量均高于当地自然植被土壤背景值,已表现出富集状态,其中Cd平均含量超标严重;工业区、风景名胜区、商业区和居民区等绿地土壤污染程度居前;单因子污染评价表明,该市绿地土壤中Cu,Zn和Pb已处于潜在污染状态,而Cd已经处于重污染状态;综合污染评价研究表明,处于“中度污染”污染级别的绿地类型有工业绿地、商业区绿地、风景名胜区和居住区绿地,而且苗木生产区和道路绿地也接近“中度污染”级别;潜在生态危害评价表明,该市绿地土壤处于轻微生态风险,但Cd潜在生态危害指数已经处于中等生态风险;土壤中Cu-Zn,Cu-Cd,Pb-Cd显著相关,Cu-Pb,Zn-Cd极显著相关,重金属之间存在一定复合污染现象,表明这些重金属元素的来源可能相同。该市绿地土壤Cd污染的防治应该引起重视。     

菜地和旱作粮地土壤氮素矿化和硝化作用的比较

采用室内培养试验研究了南京郊区菜地和早作粮地土壤氮素矿化和硝化作用的特征,其菜地土壤是20年前从粮食作物改种为蔬菜的。结果表明,菜地土壤氮素矿化量和矿化率都显著高于相应的粮地土壤。改制对硝化作用没有固定的影响,其硝化作用是增强还是减弱主要取决于土壤pH是上升或下降。土壤氮素的矿化和硝化速率受土壤速效磷、速效钾、有机质含量和pH的影响。     

Ratios of Nutrients in Lowland Rice Grown on Two Iron Toxic Soils in Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Iron (Fe) toxicity is a widespread nutritional soil constraint affecting rice production in the wetland soils of West Africa. Critical levels of total iron in plant causing toxicity is difficult to determine as different rice cultivars respond to excessive Fe^{2 +} in various ways in what is called “bronzing” or “yellowing” symptoms (VBS). An investigation was conducted to evaluate the relationship between plant growth and nutrient ratios at four iron levels (1000, 3000, 4000 μ g L^?1) and control. This involved two rice cultivars (‘ITA 212’ and ‘Suakoko 8’), and two soil types (Aeric Fluvaquent and Aeric Tropaquept). The experimental design was a 2 × 2 × 4 factorial in a completely randomized fashion with four replications. The results showed that nutrient ratios [phosphorus (P)/Fe, potassium (K)/Fe, calcium (Ca)/Fe, magnesium (Mg)/Fe, and manganese (Mn)/Fe), Fe content, and Fe uptake vary widely with the iron levels as well as with the age of the cultivars. The iron toxicity scores expressed as VBS increased with increasing Fe^{2 +} in the soils, resulting in simultaneous reduction of the following variables: plant height, tiller numbers/pot, relationships grain yield (GY) and dry matter yield (DMY). There were no significant difference between nutrient ratios, Fe contents, Fe uptake, the GY and DMY of both rice cultivars on both soil types. Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that Fe uptake and Fe contents contributed 42% and 17% respectively to the variation in the grain yield of ‘ITA 212’ on Aeric Tropaquept. On both soil types and cultivars, Fe uptake and Fe content contributed between 26 and 68% to the variation in the DMY, while the nutrient ratios (P/Fe, K/Fe, Ca/Fe, and Mn/Fe) contributed between 3% and 13% DMY. Thus, it could be concluded that iron toxicity in rice is more a function of a single nutrient (Fe) rather than nutrient ratios.     

Heavy Metal Accumulation in Soil Amended with Roadside Pond Sediment and Uptake by Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The effect of addition of roadside pond sediments on heavy metal contents of flooded rice paddies was studied to investigate the yield of rice and uptake of heavy metal by rice straw and grain. Sequential extraction of heavy metals on sediments shows that the percentage contribution of metals in the labile fraction follows the order lead (Pb, 48%) > copper (Cu, 42%) > zinc (Zn, 31%) > cadmium (Cd, 16%) > chromium (Cr, 9%) > nickel (Ni, 6%). The risk assessment code (RAC) for pond sediment revealed that Cr and Ni were found in the low-risk zone, Zn and Cd in the medium-risk zone, and Cu and Pb in the high-risk zone. However, though the heavy metal concentration in rice grain does not exceed the range acceptable for human consumption, it still represents a significant additional source of heavy metals in the diet. The addition of pond sediment significantly increased the rice yield over control. Therefore, pond sediment would be a valuable resource for agriculture if it is properly used.     

Chemical Fractionation and Phytoavailability of Heavy Metals in a Soil Amended with Metal Salts or Metal-Spiked Poultry Manure

Chemical fractionation patterns and plant tissue concentrations were used to assess nickel, copper, zinc, cadmium, and lead phytoavailability to maize in a soil amended with metal salts or poultry manure. A sandy loam was treated with 80–400 mg kg^?1 doses of a quinternary mixture of the metal nitrates either directly or as spiked poultry manure. The European Communities Bureau of Reference sequential extraction procedure partitioned the metals among three operationally defined pools in the soil. Metal mobilities were lower in the poultry manure–amended than the metal salt–treated soil, indicating the manure's ability to fix the metals in soil. Pot experiments revealed high metal transferabilities with no apparent phytotoxic symptoms in maize at the doses applied, suggesting some degree of tolerance to the metals. Heavy-metal concentrations in maize increased linearly with metal doses in metal salt–treated soil, but were less phytoavailable in soil amended with poultry manure. Heavy-metal concentrations in maize were reasonably predicted from soil parameters using stepwise multivariate regression models. The findings are useful in the assessment and remediation of heavy metal–contaminated soils.     

基于环境地球化学基线的农用地重金属累积特征及其潜在生态危害风险研究

为探明浙江东部某市周边农用地土壤重金属累积特征及潜在生态危害风险,系统采集研究区表土样品,测定重金属元素(As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb、Zn)和惰性元素(Li、Eu、Sc、Sm)含量。通过元素相关性分析,筛选出合适的标准因子,按标准化方法建立了研究区土壤重金属As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb和Zn环境地球化学基线,获得基线值分别为11.13、0.38、57.48、43.86、0.30、21.55、51.91和132.7mg·kg~(-1)。在应用单因子方法评价土壤重金属污染程度基础上,以环境地球化学基线值作为标准因子,采用富集因子方法判别因受人类活动影响的重金属污染点位,并对土壤重金属累积潜在的生态环境风险进行了评价。结果表明,研究区表层土壤普遍存在不同程度的重金属污染,以轻微至轻度污染级别为主,其中Cd和As存在少量重度污染点位,比例分别为3.00%和0.19%。研究区重金属富集主要受工矿企业活动影响,浓集中心集中在金属矿山和印染企业周边,具有沿水系向低地势平原区迁移趋势。研究区范围Cd和Hg具有潜在的较高生态风险。利用GIS系统,将各样点重金属土壤污染程度、富集因子(EF)和潜在生态危害评价结果,在研究区农用地土地利用现状图斑上进行空间叠加,可实现从地理空间上的土壤重金属污染范围界定、重金属人为成因污染判别和潜在生态危害风险空间预警。     

Effect of Zero-Valent Iron Application on Cadmium Uptake in Rice Plants Grown in Cadmium-Contaminated Soils

Cadmium (Cd) contamination in soils is a serious problem for crop production in the world. Zero-valent iron [Fe (0)] is a reactive material with reducing power capable of stabilizing toxic elements in a solution. In the present study, we examined the effect of zero-valent iron [Fe (0)] application on Cd accumulation in rice plants growing in Cd-contaminated paddy soils. The application of 1.0 and 0.5 mg Fe (0) per 100 g soils significantly reduced the Cd concentration in seeds and leaves by less than 10% and 20% of those without Fe (0) application, respectively. The form of Cd in soil was determined by sequential extraction. The Fe (0) application increased the free-oxides-occluded (less available) Cd content, and decreased the exchangeable and iron-manganese-oxides-bound (more available) Cd content, in Cd-contaminated soils. Thus, this study clearly showed that the application of Fe (0) is a promising approach for remediation of Cd-contaminated paddy soils.     

Accumulation of Heavy Metals in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Seedlings Grown in Soils Amended with Electroplating Industrial Sludge

A glasshouse study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of lime-treated (0, 0.5, and 1%) industrial sludge amendments (10 and 20%) on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedling growth and heavy metal accumulation in soils as well as in wheat seedlings. Industrial sludge–amended soil samples were filled in earthen pots (2 kg pot^?1) one week before planting and 7-day-old seedlings were transplanted in pots (3/pot) and were kept in a glasshouse. Diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable metals and metals in seedlings increase with increasing doses of industrial sludge. Biomass and growth have been found to increase with increasing rates of sludge. It also enhanced heavy metal concentrations in wheat seedlings and followed the trend zinc (Zn) > lead (Pb) > copper (Cu) > cadmium (Cd). Lime enhanced the biomass and reduced the heavy metal concentrations in wheat seedlings. Although 20% treatments in both soils showed a significant enhancement in shoot length, metals like Pb reached beyond permissible limits.     

Evaluation of Different Extraction Methods for the Assessment of Heavy Metal Bioavailability in Various Soils

The main objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of different methods (heavy metals in pore water (PW), diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT), diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) extraction, and total heavy metals (THM) in soil) for the assessment of heavy metal bioavailability from soils having various properties and heavy metal contents. The effect of soil heavy metal pollution on shoot yield and sulfatase enzyme activity was also studied. Wheat (Triticum aestivum) was grown in different soils from Spain (n?=?10) and New Zealand (n?=?20) in a constant environment room for 25 days. The bioavailabilities of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn were assessed by comparing the metal contents extracted by the different methods with those found in the roots. The most widely applicable method was DGT, as satisfactory Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn root concentrations were obtained, and it was able to distinguish between low and high Cr values. The analysis of the metal concentrations in PW was effective for the determination of Cr, Ni, and Zn content in root. Copper and Pb root concentrations were satisfactorily assessed by DTPA extraction, but the method was less successful with determining the Ni and Cr contents and suitable just to distinguish between high and low concentrations of Zn. The THM in soil method satisfactorily predicted Cu and Pb root concentrations but could only be used to distinguish between low and high Cr and Zn values. The Cd root concentration was not successfully predicted for any of the used methods. Neither shoot yield nor sulfatase enzyme activity was affected by the metal concentrations.     

Effects of Soil Amendments on Growth and Metal Uptake by Ocimum gratissimum Grown in Cd/Zn-Contaminated Soil

Hydroponic and pot experiments were conducted to assess the uptake of heavy metals (Cd and Zn) by a common crop plant, African basil, Ocimum gratissimum. In addition, the effects of soil amendments, hydroxyapatite (HA) and cow manure on plant growth and metal accumulations were compared. In the hydroponic study, plants were exposed to various concentrations of Cd (2.5 and 5 mg L^?1) and Zn (10 and 20 mg L^?1) for 15 days. O. gratissimum was shown to be a Cd accumulator more than a Zn accumulator. Cadmium concentration in its shoots exceeded 100 mg kg^?1. In the pot experiments, soils from a heavily Cd-contaminated site (Cd 67.9 mg kg^?1 and Zn 2,886.8 mg kg^?1) were treated with cow manure and HA at the rates of 10% and 20% (w/w), and 0.75 and 1.5% (w/w), respectively. Plants were grown in the greenhouse for 3 months. The addition of cow manure resulted in the highest biomass production and the lowest accumulations of Cd in plant parts, while HA was more efficient than cow manure in reducing Zn uptake. Leaves of African basil showed a decreased Cd concentration from 1.5 to 0.3 mg kg^?1 (cow manure) and decreased Zn concentration from 69.3 to 34 mg kg^?1 (HA). This clearly demonstrates the efficiency of HA and cow manure in reducing metal content in leaves of plants grown on high metal-contaminated soil to acceptable or close to acceptable values (0.2 mg kg^?1 for Cd, 99.4 mg kg^?1 for Zn).     

天水市蔬菜大棚土壤重金属污染特征及生态风险评价

[目的]对甘肃省天水市蔬菜大棚土壤重金属污染程度和生态风险进行评价,为该地区设施农产品安全生产提供科学依据.[方法]以天水市大棚蔬菜主产区21个乡镇的362个土壤样品为研究对象,用电感耦合等离子体质谱仪(ICP-MS)测定As,Ni,Cu,Zn,Cd,Pb,Hg含量,采用内梅罗综合污染指数和潜在生态风险指数对蔬菜大棚土...     

酸性硫酸盐土壤上几种磷矿粉对水稻生长的影响

在酸性硫酸盐土壤未垦和已垦地上进行的磷矿粉田间试验结果表明，未垦地上直接施用磷矿粉对水稻有显著的增产作用，主要表现在促进水稻株高、分蘖数、穗数的增加上．但在已垦地上磷矿粉对水稻的增产作用不甚明显．施肥后对相关的土壤肥力状况变化也进行了报道．