Biochar addition enhanced growth of Dactylis glomerata L. and immobilized Zn and Cd but mobilized Cu and Pb on a former sewage field soil

The mobility and bioavailability of heavy metals in soils contaminated by irrigation with wastewater increase with increasing mineralization of accumulated organic substance and decreasing pH. In laboratory experiments addition of biochar reduced heavy metal availability to plants and enhanced plant growth. However, literature from field trials is scarce. Therefore, we conducted a 2‐year field experiment with orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata L.) to study the effects of miscanthus‐derived biochar applied to sewage field soil on biomass production and concentrations of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and various nutrients in plants and in the soil solution. Biochar was mixed into the contaminated topsoil (30 cm) with addition rates of 0, 1, 2.5 and 5% on a dry‐mass basis (g 100 g^?1). The soil solution was collected with suction plates installed at a depth of 30 cm. Addition of biochar increased biomass production and reduced Zn and Cd concentrations in the soil solution. Zinc concentrations were also reduced in plants. This effect seems to be attributable to an increase in pH caused by biochar addition. In contrast, Pb and Cu concentrations in the soil solution generally increased and were related to the concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Copper concentrations also increased in the plants; however, only at the beginning of the measurement period. Our data indicate that increased concentrations of DOC, Cu and Pb in the soil solution might be a transient effect. Therefore, further research is needed to determine the long‐term effect of biochar amendment on element immobilization and leaching into groundwater.     

根迹土壤根诱导的化学变化对植物吸收重金属的影响

It is increasingly recognized that metal bioavailability is a better indicator of the potential for phytoremediation than the total metal concentration in soils; therefore, an understanding of the inffuence of phytoremediation plants on metal dynamics at the soil-root interface is increasingly vital for the successful implementation of this remediation technique. In this study, we investigated the heavy metal and soil solution chemical changes at field moisture, after growth of either Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) or sunffower (Helianthus annuus L.), in long-term contaminated soils and the subsequent metal uptake by the selected plants. In addition, the fractions of free metal ions in soil solution were determined using the Donnan membrane technique. After plant growth soil solution pH increased by 0.2-1.4 units and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) increased by 1-99 mg L^-1 in all soils examined. Soluble Cd and Zn decreased after Indian mustard growth in all soils examined, and this was attributed to increases in soil solution pH (by 0.9 units) after plant growth. Concentrations of soluble Cu and Pb decreased in acidic soils but increased in alkaline soils. This discrepancy was likely due to a competitive effect between plant-induced pH and DOC changes on the magnitude of metal solubility. The fractions of free Cd and Zn ranged from 7.2% to 32% and 6.4% to 73%, respectively, and they generally decreased as pH and DOC increased after plant growth. Metal uptake by plants was dependant on the soil solution metal concentration, which was governed by changes in pH and DOC induced by plant exudates, rather than on the total metal concentrations. Although plant uptake also varied with metal and soil types, overall soluble metal concentrations in the rhizosphere were mainly inffuenced by root-induced changes in pH and DOC which subsequently affected the metal uptake by plants.     

Phytochelatins as biomarkers for heavy metal toxicity in maize: Single metal effects of copper and cadmium

Contamination of soils with heavy metals becomes more and more a problem in many countries all over the world. In areas where metal contaminated soils are used for food crop production, metals relatively mobile within the plant, such as cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) can easily come into the food chain with great risks for human health. Since bioavailability of heavy metals in soils varies with soil and plant characteristics, e.g., mineralogical and organic matter properties of the soil and plant metal susceptibility, prediction of heavy metal uptake by plants by the common soil and plant chemical analysis techniques is often unreliable. Recently, the use of biomarkers has been suggested to be a suitable technique complementing chemical soil analysis. Therefore, the usefulness of the biomarker phytochelatin (PC), a non‐protein thiol, specifically induced in plants suffering from heavy metal stress, was tested. Maize (Zea mays L.) plants were exposed to excess copper (Cu) or Cd in nutrient solution systems and metal and PC concentrations were monitored in plant shoot and root. Results clearly illustrated that very soon after plant exposure to the metal, PC induction started, especially in plant roots. Phytochelatin seems to be a useful early warning system for heavy metal stress in plants.     

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.     

Bioavailability of zinc and lead from a contaminated soil amended with pine bark-goat manure compost

The distribution in soil and plant uptake of zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb) as influenced by pine bark-goat manure (PBG) compost additions were investigated from the soils artificially contaminated with Zn or Pb ions using maize (Zea mays L.) as a test crop. Soils were amended with four rates of pine bark-goat manure compost (0, 50, 100, and 200 tons ha^?1) and four rates (0, 300, 600 and 1200 mg kg^?1) of Zn or Pb. Maize was planted and grown for 42 days. At harvest, plants samples were analyzed for Zn and Pb concentration. Soils samples were analyzed for pH, extractable and diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) extractable Zn and Pb. Extractable Zn and Pb was lower in PBG compost amended soils than in unamended soils and steadily declined with increasing amount of compost applied. The extractable fraction for Zn dropped by 62.2, 65.0 and 44.6% for 300, 600 and 1200 mg Zn kg^?1, respectively when 200 t ha^?1 of PBG compost was applied. Metal uptake by maize plants were directly related to the rate of applied heavy metal ions with greater concentrations of metals ions found where metal ions were added to non-amended soils.     

油葵和苦荬菜根际土壤中镉和锌的活化机制及修复潜力比较

  目的  研究油葵和苦荬菜根际土壤固、液相对镉（Cd）和锌（Zn）的活化机制,比较两种植物在轻、中度复合污染农田的修复潜力。  方法  通过大田试验种油葵和苦荬菜,测定成熟期土壤的pH值、有机酸、重金属总量及其生物有效性;测定土壤溶液中的溶解性有机质（DOM）、主要离子、水溶态重金属及其形态分布;测定植物各部位中重金属的浓度及形态,通过计算重金属在植物中的富集系数（BCF）和转运系数（TF）,比较两种植物对土壤重金属污染的修复潜力。  结果  油葵和苦荬菜根系分泌的低分子有机酸均使根际土壤pH值下降明显,显著低于非根际土壤（P < 0.05）;苦荬菜根际土中低分子有机酸及DOM的浓度显著高于油葵根际土（P < 0.05）。两种植物根际土壤溶液中的Cd以离子态和DOM结合态为主,Zn以离子态为主;两种植物根际土壤中有效态的Cd差异不显著,油葵根际有效态Zn显著高于苦荬菜;两种植物根际土壤的Zn和Cd有效态与土壤溶液中Cd-DOM和Zn-DOM呈显著相关。苦荬菜根对重金属的富集能力较强,但油葵地上部分能吸收转运更多的Cd和Zn,并在叶中以毒性较低的不溶性磷酸盐结合态和草酸结合态富集。  结论  两种植物根际分泌的有机酸可以增加根际土壤中的Cd-DOM和Zn-DOM的浓度,提高土壤中的Cd和Zn的有效性,苦荬菜根际对重金属有较强的活化能力,但油葵地上部分对Cd和Zn的吸收转运能力更强。两种植物都具有较强的土壤重金属修复潜力,但从经济角度出发,油葵更适合现阶段我国农田重金属污染的修复。     

Comparing the effects of pH on the sorption of metals by soil and by goethite, and on uptake by plants

The effects of soil pH on sorption of cadmium, zinc, nickel and cobalt were studied by changing the pH of a soil and measuring sorption. Results were compared with published results for effects of pH on sorption of cadmium, zinc and nickel by goethite. In a further experiment, the effects of pH on the uptake of zinc and cobalt by subterranean clover were measured. Effects of pH on sorption were described in terms of the concentration of metal ions required to produce equal sorption. Where the metal ions were incubated with the soil, unit increase in pH decreased the concentration of metal ions required about 10-fold for zinc, about 7-fold for nickel, about 6-fold for cobalt, and about 4-fold for cadmium. When the soil was mixed with a large volume of solution, the effects were similar for zinc and cadmium but slightly smaller for cobalt and slightly larger for nickel. In all cases, the magnitude of the effect varied somewhat with pH. Sorption was greater with a dilute background electroiyte than with a concentrated one and the effects of pH were greater. The effects for soil were smaller than effects of pH on sorption by iron oxides for which unit increase in pH can decrease the required concentration of Zinc 35-fold and cadmium 11-fold. These results are consistent with adsorption of divalent ions on a variable charge surface that is negatively charged. They are not consistent with the adsorption of monovalent metal ions on a variable charge surface. This mechanism requires at least a 10-fold effect of pH. They show that the change in electric potential with change in pH is smaller for reacting surfaces in soil than for goethite. The effects of changing pH on the amounts of zinc and cobalt fertilizer required for equal uptake by plants was even smaller with unit increase in pH, causing a 1.4-fold increase in the amount of fertilizer required, that is, a 1.4-fold decrease in fertilizer effectiveness.     

Field Trials for in Situ Decontamination of Heavy Metal Polluted Soils using Crops of Metal-Accumulating Plants

Certain wild plants as well as crop plants, so-called hyperaccumulators, are able to accumulate large amounts of heavy metals in aerial parts. This property may be exploited for the clean-up of soil contaminated by metals (phytoremediation), if the yield and metal accumulation are big enough to finish remediation within a reasonable period (e.g. five years). Therefore, the ability of various plants to accumulate zinc and cadmium were compared in field trials. The wild species Thlaspi caerulescens and Alyssum murale as well as the tree Salix viminalis showed a strong ability to accumulate zinc and cadmium. However, phytoremediation of investigated soils contaminated with cadmium (6.6 ppm) or zinc (810 ppm) lasts too long based on present technology. Literature data and preliminary experiments indicate that major obstacles could be overcome: Yield and metal-uptake rates have to be increased dramatically in order to allow remediation within reasonable periods.     

贵州铅锌冶炼区农田土壤镉铅有效性评价与预测模型研究

农田土壤重金属的不同活性库分布和土壤-溶液分配模型能够提供重金属的生物有效性和浸出能力等信息,因而在风险评价和修复实践中非常重要。本研究采集毕节铅锌冶炼区30个历史污染农田土壤,同时在贵州省范围内采集5种类型背景土壤制成不同浓度Pb/Cd单一污染土壤;经3个月老化,分别测定由0.43 mol/L HNO_3、0.1 mol/L HCl和0.005 mol/L DTPA提取态表征的重金属反应活性库以及由0.01 mol/L CaCl_2提取态表征的直接有效库;分析铅锌冶炼区农田土壤Cd、Pb不同有效库的分布特征,建立土壤-溶液分配模型,并讨论土壤理化性质的影响。结果表明:历史污染土壤中Cd和Pb的直接有效库占全量比例分别比人工污染土壤低4倍和223倍,然而历史污染土壤Cd和Pb的反应活性库(0.43 mol/L HNO_3提取态)占全量比例要高于相应人工污染土壤中的比例。拓展Freundlich形式吸附方程能够准确描述各提取态表征的Cd和Pb活性库与土壤全量Cd和Pb的关系,尤其0.43 mol/L HNO_3提取方法能够克服土壤理化性质对土壤Cd和Pb提取的影响而与总量建立极显著的相关关系。pH依附性Freundlich吸附方程准确描述了Cd和Pb的总反应活性库分别与土壤溶液Cd和Pb的关系,对于Pb而言,还要考虑土壤有机质和有效磷的影响。本研究可为矿区农田土壤重金属污染评价、修复以及农田有效态标准的推导提供参考。     

Effect of Zinc and Aluminum Ions in Breadmaking

Zinc and aluminum ions as chloride or sulfate salts at 50–500 ppm metal ion (flour basis) had no detrimental effect on fermentation of yeastleavened dough. Increased mixing times (≈10–50%) due to addition of aqueous solutions of zinc (250–500 ppm) or aluminum (150–250 ppm) ions to a bread formula was overcome by withholding salt until the final mixing stage. Breads made from commercial flours (12.5% protein) containing zinc (250–500 ppm) or aluminum (150–250 ppm) ions and no oxidant had improved loaf volume and crumb grain when compared with control bread, and no off-taste. Additionally, breads with added zinc or aluminum had better crumb grains and slower firming rates when compared with breads containing optimum l -ascorbic acid (50 ppm) or potassium bromate (20 ppm). Breads made from commercial flours (11.1% protein) and three laboratory flours (11.4–13.6% protein) containing zinc (250 ppm) or aluminum (150 ppm) ions also had improved loaf volumes and crumb grains. Zinc or aluminum ions in combination with l -ascorbic acid, but not potassium bromate, had a detrimental effect on bread quality. Scanning electron microscopy of freeze-dried bread doughs revealed that zinc and aluminum ions enhanced the film-coating property of gluten. One serving (one slice, 28 g) of bread made with 250 ppm zinc ion would provide 25% of the adult recommended dietary allowance of zinc.     

Predicting the solubility of Cd,Cu, Pb and Zn in uncontaminated Croatian soils under different land uses by applying established regression models

Soil pH, soil organic matter (SOM), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and total trace metal concentration (M_(tot)) control the solubility of metals in the soil. Several regression models have included these soil chemical variables for the prediction of metal solubility and free metal ion (FMI) concentrations in contaminated soils. We hypothesize that models developed on contaminated soils (after optimization of the coefficients) can be used on samples from uncontaminated sites. Soil samples were collected from unpolluted agricultural and forest soils located in Eastern Croatia and extracted with water to determine the concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn. We used these data to test the applicability of three regression models on existing conditions under different land uses. The same predictors issued in the three models and the same regression coefficients were utilized in the present study. The results showed a good correlation between the observed and predicted values of metal solubility. However, the models overestimate the total solution concentration (M_(sol)) and the concentrations of free metal ions (FMI) in solution, and therefore the same regression coefficients were optimized to fit our own observations. This was found to be very successful. The results showed that pH and DOC played a very important role in controlling metal solubility, while SOM and CEC were somewhat less significant. The impact of total soil concentration of metals (M_(tot)) was rather minor. However, we feel that to carry out good predictions of M_(sol) and FMI, the M_(tot) is needed in such regression models.     

皂角苷增强洗脱复合污染土壤中多环芳烃和重金属的作用及机理

通过增溶实验和土壤洗脱实验,研究了一种生物表面活性剂——皂角苷（saponin）对多环芳烃-重金属复合污染土壤的洗脱作用及机理。结果表明,皂角苷对菲、芘等多环芳烃有极强的增溶作用,当皂角苷浓度为0.04%时,菲、芘在液相中的表观溶解度分别增大了约22倍和128倍,因而皂角苷能显著增强多环芳烃污染土壤中菲、芘的洗脱,洗脱效率最大分别可达84.1%和81.4%,增大了约2倍和17倍。皂角苷可与重金属离子形成水溶性的络合物,从而增强洗脱重金属污染土壤中的Zn^2＋和Cd^2＋,在皂角苷浓度为0.4%时,Zn^2＋、Cd^2＋的洗脱效率分别可达93.0%和79.4%,增大了约75倍和8倍。皂角苷可同时洗脱多环芳烃-重金属复合污染土壤中的菲、芘和Zn^2＋、Cd^2＋,洗脱效率分别达87.6%、83.5%和92.3%、78.6%,重金属的存在略增大了皂角苷对菲、芘等多环芳烃的洗脱效率,但多环芳烃对Zn^2＋、Cd^2＋的洗脱效率没有明显影响。皂角苷可同时增强洗脱复合污染土壤中的多环芳烃和重金属,从而为多环芳烃-重金属复合污染土壤的修复奠定基础。     

A glass house trial to investigate the impact of water treatment sludge and green waste compost to enhance the revegetation of contaminated sites

This study investigated the use of waste amendments (green waste compost (GWC) and water treatment sludge (WTS) cake) in improving the nutrient and revegetation status of contaminated soil obtained from a former industrial site that has heavy metal and hydrocarbon contamination. The waste amendments were mixed with the contaminated soil at application rates equivalent to 90 and 180 t ha^?1 (wet weight) and placed in plastic pots. The unamended soil serves as the control. Reed canary grass and white mustard were allowed to grow on the amended and unamended contaminated soil in the glass house. After a 30- day growth period, soil nutrient status was observed and was found to be higher in the amended contaminated soil than the control. In the amended soil, organic matter, total nitrogen, total potassium and soil nitrate were highest in contaminated soil amended with GWC at 180 t ha^?1 and lowest in contaminated soil amended with WTS cake at 90 t ha^?1. Above-ground dry mass of reed canary grass and white mustard grown on amended contaminated soil increased by 120–222% and 130–337%, respectively, as compared to the control, showing that improved fertility of contaminated soils thereafter, enhanced revegetation.     

Remediation of a Sandy Soil Contaminated with Cadmium,Nickel, and Zinc using an Insoluble Polyacrylate Polymer

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate whether an insoluble polyacrylate polymer could be used to remediate a sandy soil contaminated with cadmium (Cd) (30 and 60 mg Cd kg^?1 of soil), nickel (Ni) (50 and 100 mg Ni kg^?1 of soil), zinc (Zn) (250 and 400 mg Zn kg^?1 of soil), or the three elements together (30 mg Cd, 50 mg Ni, and 250 mg Zn kg^?1 of soil). Growth of perennial ryegrass was stimulated in the polymer‐amended soil contaminated with the greatest amounts of Ni or Zn, and when the three metals were present, compared with the unamended soil with the same levels of contamination. Shoots of plants cultivated in the amended soil had concentrations of the metals that were 24–67% of those in plants from the unamended contaminated soil. After ryegrass had been growing for 87 days, the amounts of water‐extractable metals present in the amended soil varied from 8 to 53% of those in the unamended soil. The results are consistent with soil remediation being achieved through removal of the metals from soil solution.     

Heavy Metal Immobilization in Contaminated Soils using Phosphogypsum and Rice Straw Compost

The application of soil amendments to immobilize heavy metals is a promising technology to meet the requirements for environmentally sound and cost‐effective remediation. The present study was carried out to evaluate the result of phosphogypsum (PG) used alone and in combination with compost (CP) at a mix ratio of 1:1 wet weight ratio (PG + CP) at 10 and 20 g dry weight kg⁻¹ dry soil, on heavy metal immobilization in contaminated soil and on canola growth. The results revealed that the Pb, Cd and Zn uptake of canola plants was reduced by the application of PG alone and when it was mixed with CP as compared with untreated soil. At an application rate of 10 g dry weight kg⁻¹ dry soil of (PG + CP) the dry weight of canola plants increased by 66·8% was increased in comparison with its weight in the untreated soil. The addition of PG alone resulted in more pronounced immobilization of heavy metal as compared with PG mixed with CP. Plant growth was improved with CP addition, but heavy metals immobilization was the greatest in PG alone treatments. Results suggest that PG may be useful for the immobilization of heavy metals in contaminated soils. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

新型TSADA的合成及其土壤重金属污染修复行为

为提高茶皂素(TS)修复土壤重金属离子的能力,经水提-沉淀法从茶籽饼提取茶皂素,以其为原料设计合成新型绿色茶皂素基螯合剂(茶皂素-1-酰胺二乙烯三胺,TSADA),用FT - IR研究TSADA的结构,并对其表面性能进行研究.结果表明,其临界胶束浓度低于茶皂素,而亲水亲油平衡值、起泡力及稳泡性均优于茶皂素.同时考察了振荡时间、螯合剂浓度、pH值及离子强度对螯合剂去除污染土壤重金属率的影响,发现,TSADA去除重金属率随振荡时间、浓度的增加而升高,随pH值和离子强度的增加而降低.螯合剂去除Pb2+、Cd2+离子的最佳工艺为:振荡时间为12h,质量分数为7％,pH值为5.0,Ca(NO3)2浓度为10 mmol/L.此条件下2种螯合剂对土壤中Pb2+、Cd2+离子去除率均达最大,TSADA对Pb2+和Cd2+离子去除率均优于茶皂素;TSADA对Pb2+和Cd2+离子的最大去除率分别为67.3％和99.9％.     

Renewable Resource-Based Magnetic Nanocomposites for Removal and Recovery of Phosphorous from Contaminated Waters

Water pollution by P (phosphorous) is a serious water-related issue being faced by mankind during the past two decades. Several technologies already exist to remove P from contaminated water, but each has its own drawbacks. The present paper discusses a novel microwave-assisted synthesis of reduced iron oxide containing renewable-resource-based media for P removal from contaminated waters. It provides a fast, easy, and economical way to produce reduced iron oxide nanocomposites without requiring the need for hydrogen or inert gas during the transformation. A wide range of other metal/ carbon nanocomposites can also be synthesized using this technology and therefore holds tremendous economic promise. The prepared media were highly effective and efficient in removing P. A 100?% P removal efficiency was attained using a 1?mg/L standard P stock solution and a maximum capacity of 43.7?mg P/g of composite was achieved using 500?mg/L standard P stock solution. The present technology is highly economical as the carbon source employed was a renewable resource media with a high regeneration capacity. The present technology may also be used for arsenic removal from similarly contaminated water. The method of preparation of media, treatment methodology, and characterization methods are also discussed.     

Two leguminous tree species differ in growth and ion uptake in Hoagland solution: Phosphorus toxicity in Amur Maackia 1

Hydroponic culture of tree seedlings is used commonly to study root biology; however, we have found that two species of woody legumes differ in their responses to this practice. Seedlings of Amur maackia (Maackia amurensis Rupr. & Maxim.) and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) were cultured in 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100% Hoagland solution #1 for 5 weeks. Total dry mass of black locust increased with increasing solution concentration up to 50%. Amur maackia dry mass was greatest in 5% solution. Bronzing, chlorosis, and necrosis occurred on leaves of Amur maackia in solutions 10%, and symptom severity increased with solution strength. Leaf phosphorus (P) content of Amur maackia increased from 0.40 to 1.95% of dry mass as solution strength increased from 5 to 50%. Amur maackia grown in a soil‐based medium and irrigated with 50% solution showed no foliar toxicity symptoms, and P content of the leaves of these plants was 0.279%. Laminae of Amur maackia had higher manganese (Mn) content than laminae of black locust at solution concentrations above 5%. Levels of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) in laminae of Amur maackia suggest an enhanced ability of this species to absorb ions from its medium. Results indicate no elemental deficiencies for either species. We conclude that black locust can be grown hydroponically using standard methods. However, growth of Amur maackia in solution is inhibited at concentrations of Hoagland solution #1 >10%, suggesting a sensitivity to the availability of ions and perhaps an enhanced ability to sequester ions from its medium.     

Soil Factors Affecting Heavy Metal Solubility in Some New Zealand Soils

Heavy metal contamination of soils is usually quantified and guidelines set solely on the basis of total heavy metal content. However, it is recognised that water soluble heavy metal concentrations may provide a better indication of the potential risk that heavy metals may pose to the soil environment. The aim of this study was to use a semi-empirical model based on the competitive adsorption of metal and H⁺ ions [dependent on solution pH, total metal content, total carbon content and soil oxide content] to predict water soluble Cu, Cr, Cd, Pb, Ni and Zn concentrations in a range of field contaminated soils. The results of multiple linear regressions showed that basic soil properties could predict 85, 72, 66, 78, 50 and 75% of the variation in soluble Ni, Cu, Cr, Pb, Cd and Zn concentrations respectively. Water soluble metal concentrations were best predicted using empirical linear regressions which included total metal content, while the importance of other soil properties such as soil pH, total carbon and oxalate extractable Fe and Al oxides varied between metals. The models have the potential to provide valuable information on metal availability in contaminated soils and offer an indication of the potential risk a metal may pose to a given soil environment, along with providing a basis for developing soil quality guidelines for the prevention, investigation and clean-up of soil metal contamination.     

The Influence of Heavy Metals and Mineral Nutrient Supply on Bituminaria bituminosa

With a view to the selection of plants for the re-vegetation of contaminated, semi-arid land, two populations of the perennial species Bituminaria bituminosa (Fabaceae) from the south of Spain were studied: one (“LA”) from a non-contaminated soil and the other (“C2”) from a similar soil having elevated total levels of Pb and Zn (1,112 and 4,249 μg g^?1, respectively). For sand-cultured plants receiving nutrient solution, flow cytometry showed that heavy metals, at the concentrations measured in aqueous extracts from contaminated soils, had only slight genotoxic effects on root tip cell nuclei. Both populations were also grown in both soils, in two pot experiments. In the first, shoot biomass of LA and C2 in the contaminated soil was decreased to similar extents, with respect to the “clean” soil. Tissue heavy metal concentrations were unlikely to have been phytotoxic, except in the case of shoot Zn for population LA, but there were tissue deficiencies of P and K for populations LA and C2, respectively. In the second pot assay, the stimulation of growth by NPK fertiliser confirmed that even though this soil had high total heavy metal levels, nutrient availability was the principal factor limiting growth. The lesser transport of heavy metals (Cd, Mn and Zn) to the shoot by the population from the contaminated site is a factor that should be considered when selecting B. bituminosa lines for the phytostabilisation of such sites.