Heavy metals,occurrence and toxicity for plants: a review

Metal contamination issues are becoming increasingly common in India and elsewhere, with many documented cases of metal toxicity in mining industries, foundries, smelters, coal-burning power plants and agriculture. Heavy metals, such as cadmium, copper, lead, chromium and mercury are major environmental pollutants, particularly in areas with high anthropogenic pressure. Heavy metal accumulation in soils is of concern in agricultural production due to the adverse effects on food safety and marketability, crop growth due to phytotoxicity, and environmental health of soil organisms. The influence of plants and their metabolic activities affects the geological and biological redistribution of heavy metals through pollution of the air, water and soil. This article details the range of heavy metals, their occurrence and toxicity for plants. Metal toxicity has high impact and relevance to plants and consequently it affects the ecosystem, where the plants form an integral component. Plants growing in metal-polluted sites exhibit altered metabolism, growth reduction, lower biomass production and metal accumulation. Various physiological and biochemical processes in plants are affected by metals. The contemporary investigations into toxicity and tolerance in metal-stressed plants are prompted by the growing metal pollution in the environment. A few metals, including copper, manganese, cobalt, zinc and chromium are, however, essential to plant metabolism in trace amounts. It is only when metals are present in bioavailable forms and at excessive levels, they have the potential to become toxic to plants. This review focuses mainly on zinc, cadmium, copper, mercury, chromium, lead, arsenic, cobalt, nickel, manganese and iron.     

污泥土地利用对土壤中重金属形态的影响

土地利用是资源化利用城市污水厂污泥的有效途径，随污泥中的营养成分一起进入土壤中的还有其中的重金属元素，它们有可能成为一种环境安全的隐患。本实验所用的土壤为污泥经过无害化及稳定化处理后，与上海潮滩沙土按不同比例(干污泥质量比)混配而成。种植前后分别对沙土、污泥及混配土的重金属含量及形态进行测试。选择几种花卉植物，如菊花(Calendula officinalis）等进行植物种植试验，一个生长季后对植物中的重金属含量及形态进行测试。应用Tessler连续提取法，对污泥中的重金属进入土壤后，土壤中重金属的含量、赋存状态等方面的规律进行研究，发现污泥的土地利用会明显增加土壤中的重金属含量，而且重金属的形态也有明显的变化，可交换态和碳酸盐结合态的重金属含量有明显的增加；如长期使用，则必须采取相应的措施，以消除有害的影响。     

Co-pyrolysis of sewage sludge and biomass for stabilizing heavy metals and reducing biochar toxicity: A review

The huge amounts of sewage sludge produced by municipal wastewater treatment plants induce major environmental and economical issues, calling for advanced disposal methods. Traditional methods for sewage sludge disposal increase greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. Moreover, biochar created from sewage sludge often cannot be used directly in soil applications due to elevated levels of heavy metals and other toxic compounds, which alter soil biota and earthworms. This has limited the application of sewage sludge-derived biochar as a fertilizer. Here, we review biomass and sewage sludge co-pyrolysis with a focus on the stabilization of heavy metals and toxicity reduction of the sludge-derived biochar. We observed that co-pyrolyzing sewage sludge with biomass materials reduced heavy metal concentrations and decreased the environmental risk of sludge-derived biochar by up to 93%. Biochar produced from sewage sludge and biomass co-pyrolysis could enhance the reproduction stimulation of soil biota by 20‒98%. Heavy metals immobilization and transformation are controlled by the co-feed material mixing ratio, pyrolysis temperature, and pyrolysis atmosphere.

     

不同来源重金属污染的土壤对水稻的影响

采用人工污染土壤、尾矿砂、污泥等不同载体的污染源来模拟土壤污染 ,研究其对水稻生长、吸收养分和吸收重金属的影响。结果表明 ,不同污染载体对水稻生长的影响不同 ,其影响的大小顺序为人工污染土壤 >尾矿砂 >污泥 >尾矿砂 +污泥。不同污染载体对水稻吸收重金属的影响亦不同 ,以纯化学试剂的形式添加到土壤中的重金属最易被提取出来 ,植物从中吸收的Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd最多 ,而从以污泥为污染载体的土壤中吸收的Zn、Pb、Cd最少。研究表明 ,用添加纯化学试剂的方法来模拟污染土壤对生态与环境的影响是可行的 ,确定土壤负载容量是安全的 ,因为在实验条件下它对供试植物的影响最明显     

Accumulation of heavy metals in soil and paddy crop (Oryza sativa), irrigated with water of Ramgarh Lake,Gorakhpur, UP,India

Heavy metals, a highly polluting group of constituents known to exert adverse effects, tend to accumulate in living organisms. The objective of this study was to determine the accumulation and translocation of heavy metals in soil and in paddy crop irrigated with lake water compared to soil and paddy crop irrigated with bore-well water. The quantities of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, As, Mn, and Hg) were determined in different parts of rice plants (Oryza sativa). Results revealed that the mean levels of soil Cd, Cr, Pb, Zn, As, Mn, and Hg in experimental soil and in different parts of rice plant (root, straw, and grain) were higher than the control except for Cu. The content of eight toxic metals was significantly higher in root than in aerial parts of the rice (straw and grains). Rice roots were enriched in Cd, As, Hg, and Pb from the soil, while Cr, Cu, Zn, and Mn were hardly taken by the roots. Bioaccumulation factor for Hg was significantly higher than other heavy metals. Metal transfer factors from soil to rice plants were significant for Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, As, Mn, and Hg. The concentrations of metals in lake water were found to be within the permissible limit of Indian standard prescribed by Central Pollution Control Board (2000), except for Hg and As, which were higher than the limit of Indian standard. However, the concentrations of heavy metals in soil and rice grains were still below the maximal levels, as stipulated by Indian Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (PFA, 1954) and World Health Organization (WHO, 1993) guidelines.     

Eco-friendly approach for leaching out heavy metals from sewage sludge

Sewage sludge contains rich organic matter and nutrients essential for the growth of plants but the presence of toxic heavy metals restricts its land application. To overcome this, the study aims an eco-friendly approach for leaching out heavy metals. Sewage sludge from sewage treatment plant, Chennai, India was characterised. The analysis of total heavy metal concentration was done by digesting in nitric acid and different forms were extracted by community bureau of reference sequential method. Heavy metals: As, Cd, Cr, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry Perkin Elmer Optima 5300 DV. The experimental set-up for heavy metal leaching was held for five consecutive days at different concentrations of humic acid (0.1%, 0.5% and 1%) at varied pH (5–9). Results revealed that at the end of fifth day at pH 8, 1% humic acid is capable of leaching out 75.5% cadmium, 66.0% nickel, 52.0% lead, 51.2% zinc, 31.2% copper and 8.5% cadmium from sewage sludge. Statistically positive correlation (0.7088) existed between the percentage of heavy metals leached out and the sum of soluble and reducible fractions. Thus, from ecological point of view, humic acid can be used to leach out heavy metals from sewage sludge serving the need in restoration of soil fertility upon land application.     

Heavy metals and soil microbes

Heavy metal pollution is a global issue due to health risks associated with metal contamination. Although many metals are essential for life, they can be harmful to man, animal, plant and microorganisms at toxic levels. Occurrence of heavy metals in soil is mainly attributed to natural weathering of metal-rich parent material and anthropogenic activities such as industrial, mining, agricultural activities. Here we review the effect of soil microbes on the biosorption and bioavailability of heavy metals; the mechanisms of heavy metals sequestration by plant and microbes; and the effects of pollution on soil microbial diversity and activities. The major points are: anthropogenic activities constitute the major source of heavy metals in the environment. Soil chemistry is the major determinant of metal solubility, movement and availability in the soil. High levels of heavy metals in living tissues cause severe organ impairment, neurological disorders and eventual death. Elevated levels of heavy metals in soils decrease microbial population, diversity and activities. Nonetheless, certain soil microbes tolerate and use heavy metals in their systems; as such they are used for bioremediation of polluted soils. Soil microbes can be used for remediation of contaminated soils either directly or by making heavy metals bioavailable in the rhizosphere of plants. Such plants can accumulate 100 mg g^?1 Cd and As; 1000 mg g^?1 Co, Cu, Cr, Ni and 10,000 mg g^?1 Pb, Mn and Ni; and translocate metals to harvestable parts. Microbial activity changes soil physical properties such as soil structure and biochemical properties such as pH, soil redox state, soil enzymes that influence the solubility and bioavailability of heavy metals. The concept of ecological dose (ED₅₀) and lethal concentration (LC₅₀) was developed in response to the need to easily quantify the influence of pollutants on microbial-mediated ecological processes in various ecosystems.     

Toxic trace elements and reproduction

Successful reproduction requires a well developed genital tract, including a good cooperation between hypothalamus, pituitary, ovaries and uterus on the female side and good sperm quality and motility on the male side. Heavy metals may interact with every single step of these processes, and after successful implantation the feto‐placental unit may be another target for heavy metal toxicity. In this review the reproduction process and the interaction of the heavy trace elements Cd (cadmium), Pb (lead) and Hg (mercury) are described.     

植物修复土壤重金属污染中外源物质的影响机制和应用研究进展

重金属进入土壤后难以被降解,并通过食物链在生物体内富集,长此以往会导致中毒、癌症、畸形、突变,严重影响了人类生产活动及地球生态系统的稳定。植物修复技术是一种经济有效的重金属污染修复技术,其依靠超富集植物强大的自身抗性机制,从土壤中提取或稳定重金属,达到污染治理的目的。然而修复土壤重金属污染的超富集植物通常生长缓慢、生物量低,其抗性机制也会受到植物本身对重金属胁迫的阈值限制,当胁迫超过这个阈值,植物修复的效率就会大大降低甚至失去修复功能。文章在解析植物重金属相互作用机制的基础上,综述了添加外源物质对重金属毒害植物的缓解效应以及其在强化植物修复土壤重金属污染中的应用研究进展;介绍了应用外源物质调控植物吸收转运重金属的3种途径,分别为提高土壤重金属生物利用度、促进植物生长以及增强植物耐性。提出了应用外源物质作为强化植物修复措施的潜力及今后的研究方向,其未来的研究应着重于以下方面:明确外源物质的应用浓度、时期、方式与植物吸收转运重金属之间的关系;从植物内源激素及信号分子间的互作、抗逆基因表达、内生及根际微生物等不同层面上揭示外源物质对植物积累重金属的调控机理;开展外源物质与其他植物修复强化技术的联合应用研究。这些研究可为土壤重金属污染的植物修复技术及其强化措施研究提供科学依据,同时也对植物修复工程技术的发展实践具有一定的指导意义。     

Amelioration of mercurial toxicity by manganese. I. A case study in mung bean seedling

Mercury, a non essential element renders inhibitory effect on many physiological activities of plants even at a low concentration. Plants absorb "Hg" from soil through root system. Manganese, an essential element has been found to counter the inhibitory effect of mercury mostly by preventing it's uptake from soil. Mung bean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) cv. Pusa Baisakhi grown in individual (1, 10, 100 and 1000 ppm) solution of Hg and Mn showed varied uptake of these heavy metals. However, in combined solutions (1 : 1, 10 : 1 and 1 : 10 ppm Hg : Mn), mercury uptake was mostly prevented in presence of 10 ppm Mn, indicating it's ameliorating effect.     

Heavy metals from soil and domestic sewage sludge and their transfer to Sorghum plants

We studied the mobility and transport of heavy metals such as Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb, from soil and soil amended with sewage sludge to sorghum plants. The total and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) extractable heavy metals in agricultural soil and untreated domestic sewage sludge (DWS) samples were determined. The correlation between the total and extractable metals in soil and sewage sludge was investigated. The total and extractable heavy metals in soil, sewage sludge and sorghum grain were analysed by flame and electro thermal atomic absorption spectrometer (FAAS/ETAAS), after digestion in microwave oven. Statistically good correlations were obtained between the total contents of all heavy metals and their respective extractable fractions in soil and domestic wastewater sludge. Transfer factors of all heavy metals from domestic sewage sludge to sorghum grains were determined.     

干旱区绿洲灌漠土Cu、Zn和Pb的吸附解吸特征

土壤重金属吸附解吸是影响土壤系统中重金属移动性和归宿的主要过程,影响重金属的生物有效性以及重金属在食物链中的传递等.配制一系列不同浓度的重金属,灌漠土对重金属溶液进行吸附实验24 h以达到平衡,再用硝酸铵和乙酸铵进行解吸实验24 h以达到平衡.利用热力学吸附平衡法,对西北干旱区绿洲灌漠土重金属Cu、Ni和Pb的吸附解吸行为进行序批实验研究.实验结果表明:(1)灰漠土在常温下对铜、锌和铅重金属离子的吸附等温线符合Freundlich型吸附模式,灰漠土对重金属铜、锌和铅的吸附能力由强到弱的顺序为:铅,铜,锌.(2)硝酸铵和乙酸铵解吸重金属的量与灰漠土吸附重金属量呈现出线性正相关,乙酸铵解吸重金属的量比硝酸铵解吸重金属的量大,两种解吸剂对铜、锌和铅重金属离子的解吸能力由大到小的顺序都为:铜,锌,铅,说明了一般外源的铜、锌和铅进入土壤以后,铜和锌可能比铅容易向四周转移.(3)硝酸铵和乙酸铵的解吸率呈谷形曲线,开始时硝酸铵和乙酸铵解吸重金属量的百分比随灰漠土吸附重金属量的增加而减小,在吸附量达到某一特定值时,解吸率随吸附量的增加而增加.灰漠土对铜、锌和铅的吸附作用以专性吸附为主,被灰漠土吸附的铜、锌和铅重金属离子较难解吸.     

吊兰和蝴蝶梅对污泥中重金属的去除效果

采用盆栽土培方法,将剩余污泥与供试土壤按质量比为0∶3,1∶2,2∶1和3∶0配比,吊兰和蝴蝶梅栽培幼苗,定期测定植物的株高、根长、干重、鲜重等生物量和叶绿素与根活力变化,以及植物体内Cu、Zn、Cd、Pb和Cr等的重金属含量变化;测定种植前后植物根系旁污泥中的重金属含量和重金属的EDTA提取含量等结果表明,吊兰对多种重金属具有很好的耐性,受重金属影响不大.吊兰对Cr和Zn的富集效果较好,对Cr的富集系数在某个特定的生长期是大于1,且它对Zn的富集效果较稳定,不易受重金属浓度的影响.由于吊兰具有生物量大、根系发达、生物量增长迅速等优点,其有利于被重金属污染的土壤改良.而蝴蝶梅因为根系不发达和生物量较小等原因,对重金属的耐性不强,生长中易受重金属影响,因此不宜用于修复污染土壤的植物.图9,表5,参7.     

Leaf biochemistry of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. at different stages of plant development as affected by mercury treatment

The effect of mercury (Hg) on the biochemical parameters of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill leaf was studied. Application of mercuric chloride in varying concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mM HgCl2 kg(-1) sand) caused significant reduction that went up to 89% and 72% chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b contents respectively (at flowering stage), 69% in carotenoid content, 64% in total soluble protein content and 91% in nitrate reductase activity (all at post-flowering stage). The amounts of nitrate and proline increased maximally (151% and 143% respectively) at the flowering stage, whereas total soluble sugar enhanced by 57% at the post-flowering stage. Changes observed in most of the parameters, were concentration dependent. Such studies seem to be able to discover suitable bioindicators of heavy metal pollution.     

典型野生食用菌重金属含量及其人体健康风险评价

土壤重金属污染是影响生态环境、食品安全和人体健康的重要因素.云南省土壤重金属背景值较高,且矿产资源丰富、采矿活动频繁,导致土壤重金属含量较高.野生食用菌是高效重金属储积器,云南是中国野生食用菌最大产区.因此,本文以云南省8种典型野生食用菌为研究对象,探究其重金属含量(汞、镉、铅、锌、铜、砷)与分配特征,采用单因子污染指数对其进行重金属污染评价,利用概率方法(THQ指数)评估其对不同年龄人群(成人、儿童)的人体健康风险.研究结果表明,不同种类野生食用菌重金属含量存在显著差异(P<0.05).Hg、Cd、Pb、Zn、Cu浓度范围分别为0.5—7.2、0.3—15、0—26.8、47.7—214、56.7—428 mg·kg^-1 dw;As未检出.此外,Hg、Cd、Pb、Zn、Cu均主要分布于菌盖.除虫草花、白森、干巴菌中Hg未检出,其余重金属污染评价中单因子污染指数均>1,且同一元素在同种野生食用菌不同部位污染程度不同,其中,老人头菌盖受Cd污染最为严重.基于国家食品安全标准,本研究中98%野生食用菌Hg、Cd、Pb含量超标.然而,THQ指数表明,部分野生食用菌中Zn无风险(THQ<1),老人头菌盖、鸡枞菌盖中Cd、Hg、Pb、Cu具有人体健康风险(THQ>1),且风险值儿童>成人.     

天津污灌区土壤重金属污染环境质量与环境效应

污水作为天津解决农业用水不足的手段已经有几十年的历史。文章分析了污灌区土壤一作物系统中Cd、Hg、As、Cu、Pb、Zn和Cr等有毒重金属的质量分数，利用单因子污染指数法和加权综合污染指数法进行污染评价。评价结果表明污灌区土壤受到了严重污染，主要重金属污染元素为Cd、Hg；农作物中的主要超标元素为Cd、As。因此，污灌区重金属污染土壤的修复工作迫在眉睫。     

北京市典型有机设施蔬菜基地重金属污染特征及风险评估

为研究北京市典型有机设施蔬菜基地重金属污染状况,采用野外调查及室内分析法,选取北京市5个有机设施蔬菜基地中125个土壤样品和77个蔬菜样品进行了Pb、Cd、Cr、As和Hg含量的检测、统计分析与评价,对土壤重金属含量与土壤理化指标进行了相关分析,研究了重金属在蔬菜中的迁移规律,并结合美国环保署(US EPA)推荐采用的健康风险评价模型,评价由于蔬菜摄入导致的成人和儿童的健康风险。结果表明,5个设施蔬菜基地中有极少数土壤样本Cd含量超标,有极少数叶菜样本Cr含量超标,其他重金属含量均未超标。污染指数评价表明5个基地土壤重金属污染排序为:基地5基地1基地3基地2基地4,主要由土壤Cd累积所致。土壤重金属与理化性质相关性表明,5种重金属含量都受土壤的理化性质影响较大。总体上,5种重金属在土壤-蔬菜中迁移能力排序为:CdHgAsCrPb,在不同类蔬菜中的富集系数排序为:叶菜类茄果类瓜果类豆菜类。5种重金属造成的目标危害系数大小依次为:CdPbAsHgCr,不同类蔬菜的综合重金属目标危害系数值排序为:叶菜类茄果类瓜果类豆菜类,所有蔬菜单一重金属目标危害系数和复合危害系数都远小于1,说明单一重金属和复合重金属污染对成人和儿童都没有明显的负面健康影响。     

厦门市水体表层沉积物重金属污染生态风险分析

沉积物是水环境的基本组成部分,其重金属含量常被作为水环境质量的重要指标之一。以厦门市为例探讨了不同城市化区域水体表层沉积物中重金属的分布特征,并采用沉积物地累积指数、Hakanson潜在生态风险指数等方法对重金属Zn、Pb、Cu、Cd、Cr、As、Hg进行环境风险评估。研究结果表明,厦门水体表层沉积物中Zn、Pb、Cu、Cd、Cr、As、Hg的含量分别为182.2、63.7、31.3、0.19、67.9、10.4、0.11 mg/kg,空间分布呈现出从城市远郊区到中心城区显著增加的趋势;依照地累积指数评价结果显示：7种重金属的污染程度顺序依次为：Hg（Pb（Zn（Cu（Cd（As（Cr;采用Hakanson提出的潜在生态危害指数法,获得厦门市主要水库重金属生态风险构成危害的顺序：Hg（Cd（Pb（As（Cu（Zn（Cr;水体表层沉积物中重金属污染水平与区域城市化水平在一定时期内呈正相关关系,这为我国快速城市化发展过程中水环境恶化问题的改善提出了警示。     

天津市路面雨水径流重金属污染特征

对天津市3条典型主要交通干线雨水径流中的Cr、Cd、Fe、Cu、Hg 5种重金属进行了取样监测,重点探讨了路面径流重金属的平均质量浓度、冲洗特征、重金属之间以及重金属与悬浮物之间的相关关系,并用聚类分析方法对降雨特征对重金属污染的影响进行了研究。结果表明,天津市路面雨水径流重金属污染严重,Fe、Cr和Cd质量浓度较高,污染贡献率大,为径流主要重金属污染物;重金属污染水平高于国内外城市研究结果,反映出天津市在道路路面环境维护和管理上与其他城市的差距。路面径流的重金属具有明显的径流初期冲洗效应,在径流的初始阶段,重金属质量浓度达到最大值,随着降雨和径流的延续,污染物质量浓度呈波浪性锯齿状下降,至降雨结束,重金属质量浓度最终趋于稳定。径流中不同种类重金属具有同源性,且与径流中的悬浮固体具有明显的相互依存关系,重金属主要以悬浮固体吸附的形式或重金属颗粒形式存在。通过聚类分析可知,重金属污染受降雨强度和前期晴天积累影响显著,其次是降雨量和降雨历时。