Abstract
Pot experiments were conducted on cole (Brassica) grown in soils jointly treated with traces of two heavy metals cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn). As the concentration of heavy metals in the soil increased, the uptake of these metals by the plants rose. However, the ratio of heavy metal concentration in soil to uptake by plants increased at a slower rate. Bioavailability of heavy metals considered between the roots and soil using non-linear regressions was shown to be statistically significant. Similarly, the bioavailability of these two heavy metals between leaves and roots using a linear regression was also statistically significant. The bioconcentration factors (BCFs) for Cd and Zn were 0.282 and 4.289, respectively. Significant variation of BCF with the heavy metal bioavailability in soil was noted from non-linear models. The transfer factors (TFs) were 4.49 for Cd and 1.39 for Zn. The Zn concentration in leaves under all treatments did not exceed threshold set standards, but Cd levels exceeded these standards when the concentration of Cd in the soil was more than 1.92 mgkg-1 dry weight (dw). Data indicate that cole (Brassica) is not a suitable crop for oasis soils because of plant contamination with heavy metals, especially Cd.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 1541-1549 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Toxicological and Environmental Chemistry |
Volume | 92 |
Issue number | 8 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 27 2010 |
Keywords
- Cd and Zn
- Cole and oasis soil
- Pot experiment
- Uptake and transfer