Trace element uptake by herbaceous plants from the soils at a multiple trace element-contaminated site

Nworie, O; Qin, J; Lin, C

Abstract

The uptake of trace elements by wild herbaceous plants in a multiple trace element-contaminated site was investigated. The bioaccumulation factor (BF) of trace elements was markedly variable among the different plant species. On average, the BF for various trace elements was in the following decreasing order: Zn > Cu > Mn > Ni > As > Pb > Cr. The translocation factor among the investigated plant species was also considerably variable and showed the following decreasing order: Mn > Zn > Ni > Cu > Cr > As > Pb. Several hyperaccumulating plants were identified: Artemisia vulgaris for As, Mn and Zn, Phalaris arundinacea for Mn and Ni, Heracleum sphondylium for Cr and Zn, and Bistorta officinalis for Mn and Zn. The marked accumulation of trace elements in the plant tissue suggests that the site may not be suitable for urban agricultural production. The plant tissue-borne trace elements could affect microbial activities and consequently interfere with the ecosystem functioning in the affected areas.

Citation

Nworie, O., Qin, J., & Lin, C. (2019). Trace element uptake by herbaceous plants from the soils at a multiple trace element-contaminated site. Toxics, 7(1), 3. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics7010003

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 15, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Jan 17, 2019
• Publication Date: Jan 17, 2019
• Deposit Date: Feb 4, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 4, 2019
• Journal: Toxics
• Publisher: MDPI
• Volume: 7
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 3
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics7010003
• Keywords: contaminated site, environmental risk, plant uptake, soil, trace element
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics7010003
• Related Public URLs: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/toxics