Plant Availability and Uptake of Lead, Zinc, and Cadmium in Soils Contaminated with Anti-corrosion Paint from Pylons in Comparison to Heavy Metal Contaminated Urban Soils

Red lead (Pb₃O₄) has been used extensively in the past as an anti-corrosion paint for the protection of steel constructions. Prominent examples being some of the 200,000 high-voltage pylons in Germany which have been treated with red lead anti-corrosion paints until about 1970. Through weathering and maintenance work, paint compounds and particles are deposited on the soils beneath these constructions. In the present study, six such “pylon soils” were investigated in order to characterize the plant availability and plant uptake of Pb, Cd, and Zn. For comparison, three urban soils with similar levels of heavy metal contamination were included. One phase extractions with 1 M NH₄NO₃, sequential extractions (seven steps), and extractions at different soil pH were used to evaluate the heavy metal binding forms in the soil and availability to plants. Greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine heavy metal uptake by Lolium multiflorum and Lactuca sativa var. crispa in untreated and limed red lead paint contaminated soils. Concentrations of Pb and Zn in the pylon soils were elevated with maximum values of 783 mg Pb kg⁻¹ and 635 Zn mg kg⁻¹ while the soil Cd content was similar to nearby reference soils. The pylon soils were characterized by exceptionally high proportions of NH₄NO₃-extractable Pb reaching up to 17% of total Pb. Even if the relatively low pH of the soils is considered (pH 4.3–4.9), this appears to be a specific feature of the red lead contamination since similarly contaminated urban soils have to be acidified to pH 2.5 to achieve a similarly high Pb extractability. The Pb content in L. multiflorum shoots reached maximum values of 73 mg kg⁻¹ after a cultivation time of 4 weeks in pylon soil. Lime amendment reduced the plant uptake of Pb and Zn significantly by up to 91%. But L. sativa var. crispa cultivated on soils limed to neutral pH still contained critical Pb concentrations (up to 0.6 mg kg⁻¹ fresh weight). Possible mechanisms for the exceptionally high plant availability of soil Pb derived from red lead paint are discussed.     

Influence of Soil Granulometry on Pyrene Desorption in Groundwater Using Surfactants

The high hydrophobicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is the main limiting factor for the remediation of soils and aquifers. Surfactants are amphiphilic substances which encourage the transfer of hydrophobic compounds from the solid to the liquid phase. While the interaction between organic matter and surfactants has been widely studied, there is a lack of knowledge concerning the relationship between surfactant efficiency and the granulometry of soil and/or geologic material. In this paper, three non-ionic surfactants (Tween 80, Gold Crew, and BS-400) were used to study the desorption of pyrene, chosen as a representative PAH, in soils with different grain size proportions (1%, 5%, 10%, and 20% of clay and silt) and no organic matter (<0.1%). The best quantity of surfactant to apply is closely related to the proportion of fine materials. Tween 80 gave better maximum desorption than Gold Crew and BS-400 (89%, 40%, and 36%, respectively). As an important proportion of aquifers show fine material above 1%, the effective critical micellar concentration obtained when applying surfactants to this type of geologic materials has to be higher than 150 mg L⁻¹ for Tween 80, and higher than 65 mg L⁻¹, and 100 mg L⁻¹ for Golf Crew and BS 400, respectively. Furthermore, results indicate that carrying out simple laboratory tests before the use of surfactants on a field scale is necessary to improve the efficiency and minimize the financial and environmental impact of its application.     

Effect of Flooding on Contamination of Agricultural Soils with Metals and PAHs: The Middle Vistula Gap Case Study

During the intensive flood in May–June 2010, the floodplains in Little Poland Vistula Gap, used mostly for agriculture, were waterlogged for a period of over 1 month. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of the flood on the level of contamination of the soils in this region. The analysis included basic physicochemical soil properties, contents of ten metals, and concentrations of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The studies cover two territories on opposite sites of the river Vistula (Wilkow and Janowiec) differing in their areas (70 and 4.6 km²) and time of water logging (30 and 10 days). Forty soil samples were collected from both areas immediately after the flood event from the upper (0–30 cm) soil layer together with four samples from the 30–60-cm depth layer. This was supplemented by eight samples from the flood-deposited sediment layer (thickness, 2 cm). The concentrations of identified metals (As, Ba, Cr, Sn, Zn, Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb) at all the sampling points were below the Polish legal limits for the upper layer of soils for agriculture use. The same regarded the median contents of nine PAHs compounds specified in the Polish regulations. In both areas, the median contents of Σ16 PAHs (0.21–0.35 mg kg⁻¹), Zn (10.3–10.6 mg kg⁻¹), Pb (9.2–10.7 mg kg⁻¹), and Cd (0.03 mg kg⁻¹) were much below the mean concentrations of those contaminants in arable soils on the national and European levels. The results show that this severe flooding episode in “clean” agricultural area had no immediate negative impact on the soils as regards the basic physicochemical properties (organic matter content, acidity, nitrogen content) and did not result in excessive soil contamination.     

A critical assessment of soil amendments (slaked lime/acidic fertilizer) for the phytomanagement of moderately contaminated shooting range soils

Purpose  

The effects of the addition of an acidic fertilizer solution and/or slaked lime (5.5 g Ca(OH)₂ kg⁻¹) on a slightly acidic shooting range soil (pH 6.1, % organic carbon 5.4) with moderate metal (e.g., 620 mg kg⁻¹ Pb) and metalloid (17 mg kg⁻¹ Sb) concentrations on metal and Sb solubility and plant accumulation were investigated.     

The Effect of Former Mining Activities on Contamination Dynamics in Sediments,Surface Water and Vegetation in El Avenque Stream,SE Spain

This work aims to identify and characterize heavy metal contamination in a fluvial system from Cartagena–La Unión mining district (SE Spain). In order to assess the dynamics of transport and the accumulation of heavy metals, sediments, surface water and vegetation, samples along “El Avenque” stream were collected. The former direct dumps of wastes and the presence of tailing ponds adjacent to the watercourse have contributed to the total contamination of the stream. Total Cd (103 mg kg⁻¹), Cu (259 mg kg⁻¹), Pb (26,786 mg kg⁻¹) and Zn (9,312 mg kg⁻¹) in sediments were above the limits of European legislation, being highest where tailing ponds are located. Bioavailable metals were high (3.55 mg Cd kg⁻¹, 6.45 mg Cu kg⁻¹, 4,200 mg Pb kg⁻¹ and 343 mg Zn kg⁻¹) and followed the same trend than total contents. Metals in water were higher in sampling points close to ponds, exceeding World Health Organization guidelines for water quality. There is a direct effect of solubilisation of sediment metals in water with high contents of SO₄²⁻, product of the oxidation of original sulphides. The mobility of metals varied significantly with shifts in pH. Downstream, available and soluble metals concentrations decreased mainly due to precipitation by increments in pH. As a general pattern, no metal was bioaccumulated by any tested plant. Thus, native vegetation has adopted physiological mechanisms not to accumulate metals. This information allows the understanding of the effect of mining activities on stream contamination, enforcing the immediate intervention to reduce risks related to metals’ mobility.     

Effectiveness of the Iodide Ligand Along with two Surfactants on Desorbing Heavy Metals from Soils

Used with one of two surfactants (SDS, an anionic surfactant, and Triton X-100, a nonionic surfactant), the ligand, I^? was evaluated as a washing agent for the desorption of Cd from naturally and artificially contaminated soils. Increasing amounts of the ligand, I^?, with a surfactant, specifically removes higher levels of Cd but not Cu, Zn and Pb. After seven washings, the ligand, I^? with the nonionic surfactant, Triton X-100, removed 65 and 90% of the Cd from soils I and II, containing respectively, to 15 and 1275 mg of Cd/kg. The ligand, I^?, and the anionic surfactant, SDS, removed 35 and 70% of the Cd from soils I and II, respectively. Before washing, the carbonate fraction of soil I contained the most Cd (48%) while the exchangeable and carbonate fractions of soil II contained 29 and 33% of the total Cd, respectively. For soil I, SDS with/ without the ligand desorbed Cd mainly from the carbonate and oxide fractions, while only Triton X-100 with ligand I^? could remove Cd from the exchangeable fraction. For soil II, Cd was desorbed from the exchangeable fraction only when either surfactant was used in combination with the ligand. Thus, a surfactant with ligand can extract specific heavy metals from soils and selective sequential extraction is useful in identifying which fraction can be targeted by the surfactant – ligand agent.     

Soil microbial community as bioindicator of the recovery of soil functioning derived from metal phytoextraction with sorghum

A three-month microcosm study was carried out in order to evaluate: (i) the capacity of sorghum plants to phytoextract Cd (50 mg kg⁻¹) and Zn (1000 mg kg⁻¹) from artificially polluted soil and (ii) the possibility of biomonitoring the efficiency of phytoremediation using parameters related to the size, activity and functional diversity of the soil microbial community. Apart from plant and soil (total and bioavailable) metal concentrations, the following parameters were determined: soil physicochemical properties (pH, OM content, electrical conductivity, total N, and extractable P and K), dehydrogenase activity, basal- and substrate-induced respiration (with glucose and a model rhizodeposit solution, both adjusted to 800 mg C kg⁻¹ DW soil and 45.2 mg N kg⁻¹ DW soil), microbial respiration quotient, functional diversity through community level physiological profiles and, finally, seed germination toxicity tests with Lepidium sativum. Sorghum plants were highly tolerant to metal pollution and capable of reaching high biomass values in the presence of metals. In the first two harvests, values of shoot Cd concentrations were higher than 100 mg Cd kg⁻¹ DW, the threshold value for hyperaccumulators. Nonetheless, in the third harvest, the bioconcentration factor was 1.34 and 0.35 for Cd and Zn, respectively, well below the threshold value of 10 considered for a phytoextraction process to be feasible. In general, microbial parameters showed lower values in metal polluted than in control non-polluted soils, and higher values in planted than in control unplanted pots. As a result of the phytoextraction process, which includes both plant growth and metal phytoextraction, the functioning of the phytoremediated soil, as reflected by the values of the different microbial parameters here determined, was restored. Most importantly, although the phytoextracted soil recovered its function, it was still more phytotoxic than the control non-polluted soil.     

Greenhouse evaluation of EDTA effectiveness at enhancing Cd,Cr, and Ni uptake in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helianthus annuus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thlaspi caerulescens</Emphasis>

Background, Aims and Scope  Phytoremediation is a promising means for the treatment of heavy metal contamination. Although several species have been identified as hyperaccumulators, most studies have been conducted with only one metal. Experiments were conducted to investigate the ability of Helianthus annuus and Thlaspi caerulescens to simultaneously uptake Cd, Cr and Ni. Materials and Methods  The efficiency of plants grown in a sandy-loam soil was investigated. The ability of two EDTA concentrations (0.1 and 0.3 g kg⁻¹) for enhancing the phytoremediation of Cd, Cr and Ni at two different metal concentrations (24.75 mg kg⁻¹ and 90 mg kg⁻¹) was studied. Results   Thlaspi hyperaccumulated Ni with 0.1 g kg⁻¹ EDTA. When the EDTA dosage was increased to 0.3 g kg⁻¹, Thlaspi was able to hyperaccumulate both Ni and Cr. Since Thlaspi is a low-biomass plant, it was considered insufficient for full-scale applications. Helianthus annuus hyperacummulated Cr (with 0.1 g kg⁻¹ EDTA) and Cd (0.3 g kg⁻¹ EDTA). Discussion  When the contamination was 8.25 mg kg⁻¹ per metal, the total metal uptake was 10–25% (1.35 to 2.12 mg) higher and had the same uptake selectivity (Cr>>Cd>Ni) for both EDTA levels. It was hypothesized that complexation with EDTA interfered with Ni translocation. For these experiments, the optimal results were obtained with the H. annuus-0.1 g kg⁻¹ EDTA combination. Conclusions  Although the use of EDTA did increase the amount of metal that could be extracted, care should be taken during in-situ field applications. Chelators can also increase the amount of metals that are leached past the root zone. Metal leaching and subsequent migration could lead to ground water contamination as well as lead to new soil contamination. Recommendations and Perspectives  Additional research to identify the optimal EDTA dosage for field applications is warranted. This is necessary to ensure that the metals do not leach past the root zone. Identification of a plant that can hyperaccumulate multiple metals is critical for phytoremediation to be a viable remediation alternative. In addition to being able to hyperaccumulate multiple metals, the optimal plant must be fast growing with sufficient biomass to sequester the heavy metals.     

Single and joint toxic effects of cadmium and phenanthrene on enchytraeid Fridericia bulbosa

The toxic effects of single and joint stress of Cd (cadmium) and Phe (phenanthrene) on enchytraeid Fridericia bulbosa were investigated by natural soil tests. Mortality of single and joint stress of Cd and Phe was significant (p < 0.01) except the lowest concentration of single pollutant. There was a positive correlation between mortality and the concentration of pollutant added to soil. Also, the more exposed to single or joint Cd and Phe, the more morality. For joint pollution, Cd was the main contributive factor of toxic effects, the different concentration and interaction of Cd and Phe significantly influenced mortality (p < 0.01). The joint effects of Cd and Phe were additive, after a 14-d exposure. When Phe was 0.1 mg kg⁻¹ and 1.6 mg kg⁻¹, the interactive effects between Cd and Phe were synergistic. When Phe was 25.6 mg kg⁻¹, the interactive effects were antagonistic. It suggested that morality may be considered as a valuable and sensitive biomarker to diagnose adverse effects of Cd or Phe in soil environment.     

Nitrogen mineralization and CO2 and N2O emissions in a sandy soil amended with original or acidified pig slurries or with the relative fractions

The following six pig slurries obtained after acidification and/or solid/liquid separation were used in the research: original (S) and acidified (AS) pig slurry, nonacidified (LF) and acidified (ALF) pig slurry liquid fraction, and nonacidified (SF) and acidified (ASF) pig slurry solid fraction. Laboratory incubations were performed to assess the effect of the application of these slurries on N mineralization and CO₂ and N₂O emissions from a sandy soil. Acidification maintained higher NH₄ ⁺-N contents in soil particularly in the ALF-treated soil where NH₄ ⁺-N contents were two times higher than in LF-treated soil during the 55–171-day interval. At the end of the incubation (171 days), 32.9 and 24.2 mg N kg⁻¹ dry soil were mineralized in the ASF- and SF-treated soils, respectively, but no mineralization occurred in LF- and S-treated soils, although acidification decreased N immobilization in ALF- (−25.3 mg N kg⁻¹ soil) and AS- (−12.7 mg N kg⁻¹ soil) compared to LF- (−34.4 mg N kg⁻¹ soil) and S-treated (−18.6 mg N kg⁻¹ soil) soils, respectively. Most of the dissolved CO₂ was lost during the acidification process. More than 90% of the applied C in the LF-treated soil was lost during the incubation, indicating a high availability of the added organic compounds. Nitrous oxide emissions occurred only after day 12 and at a lower rate in soils treated with acidified than nonacidified slurries. However, during the first 61 days of incubation, 1,157 μg N kg⁻¹ soil was lost as N₂O in the AS-treated soil and only 937 in the S-treated soil.     

表面活性剂溶液清洗油污土壤试验研究

选用两种阴离子型表面活性剂十二烷基苯磺酸钠(LAS)和十二烷基硫酸钠(SDS)及两种非离子型表面活性剂Triton X-100和Tween 80,研究了临界胶束浓度(CMC)附近各表面活性剂溶液对柴油的增溶及一次性清洗油污土壤的能力。结果表明:在CMC附近,各表面活性剂对柴油的增溶能力大小顺序为SDSSDS>Triton X-100>Tween 80,两种阴离子型表面活性剂的清洗效果优于两种非离子型表面活性剂。     

Trace elements and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in road gully sediments from different land uses,Hong Kong

Purpose

This study investigated the concentrations of cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments collected from gully pots for road drainage in Hong Kong. The presence and intensity of anthropogenic contamination of road gully sediments were assessed. Identifications of potential sources of trace elements and PAHs were performed to help understand the situation for future control of pollution to the land and aquatic environments.

Materials and methods

Gully sediment samples were collected from gully pots of 18 roads that are potentially exposed to different pollution sources in Hong Kong. The selection of roads considered different road features, adjacent land uses, and traffic volumes. Composite samples were collected for the analysis of trace elements (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni, and Zn) and PAHs by an accredited environmental testing laboratory. Geo-accumulation index (I_geo), contamination factor (C_f), modified degree of contamination (mC_d), ecological risk factor (Er), and pollution load index (PLI) were used to assess the level of ecological risk of trace element contamination. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) and PAH diagnostic ratios were applied to identify the sources of trace elements and PAHs.

Results and discussion

Elevated trace element concentrations were commonly found in gully sediments. The concentrations of Zn (267–3700 mg kg^?1) were the highest compared to the other trace elements. Noticeable high concentrations of Cu (27–1020 mg kg^?1), Pb (21–332 mg kg^?1), and Cr (14–439 mg kg^?1) were found in all samples. The PAH contents were moderate to high (0.6 to 24.7 mg kg^?1). Commercial/industrial emissions and road features that cause frequent acceleration-deceleration and turning events showed important influences on the contaminant levels. Strong correlations between the concentrations of Cd, Cr, Pb, and Zn were identified, implying that these trace elements are likely from common sources. The contamination assessment indices reflect significant sediment pollution. The ecological risk ranges from the considerable/moderate-risk class to over the high-risk class.

Conclusions

The collected gully sediments are identified as highly contaminated and need to be isolated from the environment upon final disposal. Through the comprehensive analysis of the collected data, this study provides a detailed insight into the contaminant levels of road gully sediments and potential sources of contamination. Disposal of gully sediments and potential impacts due to release of contaminants into the downstream aquatic environment during rainstorm events should receive attention and need further investigation.

     

河北板蓝根产地土壤-植物中镉铅汞砷含量特征及其污染评价

采用野外调查和室内分析相结合的方法,研究了河北省安国市和蔚县板蓝根产地土壤-植物中Cd、Pb、Hg、As含量特征及其在菘蓝中的累积特性,并对板蓝根产地土壤和草药中Cd、Pb、Hg、As污染状况进行了评价,为该地区安全、合理地发展中草药生产提供数据支撑和科学依据。结果表明,安国市和蔚县板蓝根产地土壤中重金属Cd、Pb、Hg、As含量差异不大,土壤重金属含量的变异系数在11.70%~97.65%。以《土壤环境质量标准》(GB 15618—1995)一级标准值进行评价,综合污染指数评价结果显示45%板蓝根种植区土壤Cd、Pb、Hg、As污染等级为警戒限,其他处于清洁水平;而以《土壤环境质量标准》二级标准值进行评价,种植区单项污染指数及综合污染指数结果均0.7,土壤环境清洁。此外,菘蓝地上部(大青叶)Cd、Pb、Hg、As平均含量分别为0.22 mg·kg~(-1)、0.89 mg·kg~(-1)、0.04 mg·kg~(-1)、0.25 mg·kg~(-1),对重金属的富集能力表现为CdHgPbAs;菘蓝地下部(板蓝根)Cd、Pb、Hg、As含量均值分别为0.14 mg·kg~(-1)、0.57 mg·kg~(-1)、0.04 mg·kg~(-1)、0.26 mg·kg~(-1),对重金属的富集能力表现为CdHgAsPb。所有菘蓝样品中Pb、Hg、As含量均未超出《药用植物及制剂进口绿色行业标准》(WM2—2001),大青叶9.09%样品中Cd超标,且Cd平均污染指数0.7,属警戒限污染等级。因此,在中药材GAP(良好的农业规范)产地环境质量评价时,除板蓝根产地土壤完全符合土壤环境质量二级标准外,也不应忽视板蓝根和大青叶吸收和累积重金属的自身特性。     

Enhancement of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (Glomus versiforme) on the growth and Cd uptake by Cd-hyperaccumulator Solanum nigrum

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) can enhance plant growth and resistance to toxicity produced by heavy metals (HMs), affect the bioavailability of HMs in soil and the uptake of HMs by plants, and thus has been emerged as the most prominent symbiotic fungus for contribution to phytoremediation. A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to assess the effect of Glomus versiforme BGC GD01C (Gv) on the growth and Cd accumulation of Cd-hyperaccumulator Solanum nigrum in different Cd-added soils (0, 25, 50, 100 mg Cd kg⁻¹ soil). Mycorrhizal colonization rates were generally high (from 71% to 82%) in Gv-inoculated treatments at all Cd levels. Gv colonization enhanced soil acid phosphatase activity, and hence elevated P acquisition and growth of S. nigrum at all Cd levels. Moreover, the presence of Gv significantly increased DTPA-extractable (phytoavailable) Cd concentrations in 25 and 50 mg Cd kg⁻¹ soils, but did not affect phytoavailable Cd in 100 mg Cd kg⁻¹ soil. Similarly, inoculation with Gv significantly increased Cd concentrations of S. nigrum in 25 and 50 mg Cd kg⁻¹ soils, but decreased Cd concentrations of the plants in 100 mg Cd kg⁻¹ soil. Overall, inoculation with Gv greatly improved the total Cd uptakes in all plant tissues at all Cd levels. The present results indicated that S. nigrum associated with Gv effectively improved the Cd uptake by plant and would be a new strategy in microbe-assisted phytoremediation for Cd-contaminated soils.     

表面活性剂对植物修复有机污染土壤的增效作用及原理

Phytoremediation is becoming a cost-effective technology for the in-situ clean up of sites polluted with hydrophobic organic contaminants （HOCs）. The major factors limiting phytoremediation are the mass transfer, rate of plant uptake, and microbial biodegradation of HOCs. This article discusses the potential of surfactants to enhance desorption, plant uptake, and biodegradation of HOCs in the contaminated sites. Positive effects of surfactants on phytoremediation have been recently observed in greenhouse studies. The presence of some nonionic surfactants including polyoxyethylene sorbltan monooleate （Tween 80） and polyoxyethylene（23）dodecanol （Brij35） at relatively low concentrations resulted in significant positive effects on phytoremediation for pyrene-contaminated soil. However, the anionic surfactant （sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS） and the cationic surfactant （cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, CTMAB） were not useful because of their phytotoxicity or low efficiency for surfactant-enhanced phytoremediation （SEPR）. The mechanisms of SEPR for HOC-contaminated sites were evaluated by considering experimental observations. In view of concerns about the cost effectiveness and toxicity of surfactants to plants, more research is needed to enhance the use of SEPR technology.     

Crop residues and fertilizer nitrogen influence residue decomposition and nitrous oxide emission from a Vertisol

Crop residues with high C/N ratio immobilize N released during decomposition in soil, thus reducing N losses through leaching, denitrification, and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emission. A laboratory incubation experiment was conducted for 84 days under controlled conditions (24°C and moisture content 55% of water-holding capacity) to study the influence of sugarcane, maize, sorghum, cotton and lucerne residues, and mineral N addition, on N mineralization–immobilization and N₂O emission. Residues were added at the rate of 3 t C ha⁻¹ to soil with, and without, 150 kg urea N ha⁻¹. The addition of sugarcane, maize, and sorghum residues without N fertilizer resulted in a significant immobilization of soil N. Amended soil had significantly (P < 0.05) lower NO₃⁻–N, which reached minimum values of 2.8 mg N kg⁻¹ for sugarcane (at day 28), 10.3 mg N kg⁻¹ for maize (day 7), and 5.9 mg N kg⁻¹ for sorghum (day 7), compared to 22.7 mg N kg⁻¹ for the unamended soil (day 7). During 84 days of incubation, the total mineral N in the residues + N treatments were decreased by 45 mg N kg⁻¹ in sugarcane, 34 mg kg⁻¹ in maize, 29 mg kg⁻¹ in sorghum, and 16 mg kg⁻¹ in cotton amended soil compared to soil + N fertilizer, although soil NO₃⁻–N increased by 7 mg kg⁻¹ in lucerne amended soil. The addition of residues also significantly increased amended soil microbial biomass C and N. Maximum emissions of N₂O from crop residue amended soils occurred in the first 4–5 days of incubation. Overall, after 84 days of incubation, the cumulative N₂O emission was 25% lower with cotton + N fertilizer, compared to soil + N fertilizer. The cumulative N₂O emission was significantly and positively correlated with NO₃⁻–N (r = 0.92, P < 0.01) and total mineral N (r = 0.93, P < 0.01) after 84 days of incubation, and had a weak but significant positive correlation with cumulative CO₂ in the first 3 and 5 days of incubation (r = 0.59, P < 0.05).     

Responses of microbial community in rhizosphere soils when ryegrass was subjected to stress from PCBs

Purpose  

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the composition and structure of microbial communities in rhizosphere soils in response to the presence of Aroclor 1242 with low (8 mg kg⁻¹ soil) and high (16 mg kg⁻¹ soil) concentrations in the hope to provide more information on potential dissipation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at contaminated sites.     

Contribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and soil amendments to remediation of a heavy metal-contaminated soil using sweet sorghum

Owing to their potential advantages such as waste reduction,recycling,and economic attributes,fast-growing bioenergy crops have the capacity to e?ectively phytoremediate heavy metal-contaminated soils.However,little is known about the role of microbial and chemical amendments in phytoremediation using bioenergy crops.Here,we studied the contributions of inoculation with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) Acaulospora mellea ZZ and three soil amendments,i.e.,hydroxyapatite (HAP),manure,and bi...     

Zn and Pb release of sphalerite (ZnS)-bearing mine waste tailings

Background, aim, and scope  Contaminated mine drainage water has become a major hydrogeological and geochemical problem. Release of soluble metal contaminants and acidity from mining sites can pose serious chemical risks to surface and groundwater in the surrounding environment, and it is an important socio-economic factor addressed by working groups like SUITMA Morel and Heinrich (J Soils Sediments 8:206–207, 2008). The release of Zn and Pb from sulfide-bearing flotation residues of a small scale mine in Western Germany is investigated with focus on metal transfer to soil solution. Total contents of the soil material as well as soil water sampled with suction cups were analyzed. The influence of pH on leaching behavior was investigated with pH_stat tests. Isotopic analyses helped assessing seepage water velocity. The aim of this study was the assessment of the environmental behavior of zinc and lead caused by the weathering of sulfide-bearing mine tailings. Especially, we address in this paper the dissolution of sphalerite (ZnS) in contrast to the well-known dissolution processes of pyrite (FeS₂). Materials and methods  Total metal contents of the soil samples were analyzed by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, total C concentration was measured using a CHNS elemental analyzer. X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra were recorded from powdered soil samples. Soil water was sampled in nylon suction cups. Electrical conductivity (EC), pH, and temperature of the soil water samples were measured in the field immediately after sampling. Major anions (F, Cl, NO₂, NO₃, SO₄) were analyzed by ion chromatography, major cations (Ca, Na, K, Li) were analyzed by flame photometry, heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Fe, Mn, and Mg) by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Tritium was analyzed by liquid scintillation counting (LSC), ¹⁸O and ²H were analyzed by isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). pH_stat tests were performed at four different pH values between 2 and 5. Results  Total Zn contents of the soil samples averaged 10 g kg⁻¹, Pb contents averaged 2.5 g kg⁻¹, Fe 22 g kg⁻¹, S 8.0 g kg⁻¹, and total carbon 4.0 g kg⁻¹. Below 2-m depth, soil samples had neutral pH values. Toward the surface, pH decreased down to pH 5.4 in P1 and P3, and to pH 5.9 in core P2, respectively. Dissolved contents of major ions (Mg, Ca, K, SO₄, and HCO₃) in the soil solution increased with depth. Metal concentrations (Fe, Mn, Zn) decreased with depth. The solution pH was neutral to slightly alkaline in samples below 2 m and slightly acidic (pH 6) at 1 m depth. Tritium values are around 7 TU and correspond to modern rain, i.e., after 1975. Stable isotope values plot on the global meteoric water line. The pH_stat tests provide two kinds of information, the acid neutralization capacity after 24 h (ANC24) and the release of metals depending on pH. The ANC24 increases linearly with decreasing pH from about 60 mmol(eq) kg⁻¹ at pH 5 to about 460 mmol(eq) kg⁻¹ at pH 2. Zn and Fe release show a strong increase with decreasing pH to 126 and 142 mmol(eq) kg⁻¹, respectively. Pb release increases at pH <4 and Mn release at pH <5, both to about 10 mmol(eq) kg⁻¹. Discussion  With an average of 10 g kg⁻¹, this field site is highly enriched in Zn. In the oxidized topsoil, Zn concentrations are significantly lower than in the anoxic subsoil. The distribution pattern of total Zn contents and soil pH values indicate that the topsoil, which is prone to oxidation and acidification, is already depleted in Zn. Only in soil core P2, Zn (and Fe) contents in the topsoil were higher than in the subsoil. Oxidation of the sulfidic material leads to redistribution into mobilizable species. High soil water concentrations (10 to 15 mg L⁻¹) can be found at acidic pH. The dominant Zn species in the soil solution is Zn²⁺. At neutral pH, Zn concentrations are below 0.001 mg L⁻¹. During the soil passage, the contaminated seepage water enters the anoxic subsoil with pH buffering carbonates. Results indicate that Zn is immobilized there. However, when the acid neutralization capacity is exhausted, a breakthrough of dissolved Zn to the groundwater has to be expected. Lead averages 2.5 g kg⁻¹ inside the flotation dump. In contrast to Zn, the first centimeters of the oxidized topsoil with high TOC contents show higher Pb contents than the anoxic subsoil. About 80% of the cation exchange capacity in the topsoil is occupied by Pb. In contrast to Zn, Pb is not abundant as aqueous species at slightly acidic pH. Values lower than pH 4 are necessary to mobilize Pb in higher amounts, as pH_stat experiments confirm. Hence, Pb is not expected to be leached out until the buffer capacity of the soil is exhausted. Conclusions  The environmental fate and behavior of Zn and Pb in the flotation dump is strongly depending on pH and redox conditions. Oxidation of sphalerite leads to a transfer of Zn from immobile to easily mobilizable species. Sulfide oxidation leads to an acidification of the topsoil where the buffer capacity is already exhausted due to the leaching of carbonates. At acidic pH, Zn is transferred to the aqueous phase and leached to the subsoil where soil pH is neutral. Electron supply and the buffer capacity of the material are found to be the main factors controlling the mobility of Zn. In contrast, the transfer of comparable amounts of Pb to the aqueous phase requires pH values <4. Since Pb is enriched in the topsoil, not leaching to the groundwater, but direct uptake (e.g., children, animals) and uptake by plants is the highest environmental risk. If the acidification of the soil proceeds with the same rate as in the last 40 years, it will reach the bottom of the tailing in about 200 years and a breakthrough of metals to the groundwater has to be expected. Recommendations and perspectives  The behavior of the different metals and their environmental impact depends on the different metal properties as well as on external conditions, e.g. pH, redox conditions, buffer capacity, and groundwater recharge. To assess the future release of metals from a flotation dump it is crucial to determine the main processes leading to acidification, the buffer capacity, and heavy metal binding forms. The release of heavy metals to the groundwater could be prevented by liming or other buffering techniques de Andrade et al. (J Soils Sediments 8:123–129, 2008). Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

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).