Effect of elemental sulphur on solubility of soil heavy metals and their uptake by maize

A pot experiment was conducted to study the influence of elemental sulphur (S) on solubility of soil Pb, Zn and Cd and uptake by maize (Zea mays L.). Two rates of elemental sulphur (S) applied at 0 (S0) and 200 (S200) mmol kg(-1) soil with three rates of each heavy metal at Pb, 0 (Pb0), 200 (Pb200), 400 (Pb400) mg kg(-1) soil, Zn, 0 (Zn0), 100 (Zn100), 200 (Zn200) mg kg(-1) soil and Cd, 0 (Cd0), 50 (Cd50), 100 (Cd100) mg kg(-1) soil, respectively. The result showed that with S application at 200 mmol S kg(-1), soil pH decreased about 0.3 unit and the solubility of the Zn and Cd was significantly increased, but the solubility of Pb had no significant influence. The concentration of Pb, Zn and Cd in maize shoots and roots were increased with increasing rates of heavy metals. However, the concentration of Zn and Cd in shoots and roots were higher with application of S rather than without S but no significant difference was found for Pb. The highest concentration of Zn in the shoots was 2.3 times higher with application of S rather than without at the same rate of Zn, 200 mg kg(-1). Plant biomass was also significantly affected by the application of S and of heavy metals. With heavy metal addition, the shoot and root biomass were decreased with the rates of those of heavy metals increased either with or without application of S. However, the shoot biomass was significantly decreased with S application at the same rate of heavy metals except that with Zn addition. The removal of Cd and Pb by maize uptake and accumulation with application of S had no significant increase compared to that without, but the removal Zn by maize uptake from the soil increased by application of S, 90.9 microg plant(-1) contrast to 25.7 microg plant(-1) at Zn200 within a growth period of only 40 days.     

定位施肥紫色菜园土壤钾素效应研究

基于紫色菜园土壤3年12季连续蔬菜(莴笋-白菜轮作)定位施肥试验,研究不同施肥条件对土壤钾素形态和供钾水平的影响。采用田间试验和室内化学分析结合的方法测定不同施肥处理土壤钾素形态的变化和蔬菜产量的关系。结果表明:紫色菜园土壤钾素主要以矿物钾为主,占全钾的95.11%~97.33%,土壤缓效钾和速效钾分别占土壤全钾的2.22%~3.38%和0.44%~1.52%。连续施用钾肥显著提高土壤速效钾和缓效钾含量,以增钾处理作用最优。定位施肥显著提高土壤水溶性钾、非特殊吸附钾、特殊吸附钾含量,以有机无机肥料配施作用优于单施化学肥料。土壤水溶性钾、非交换性钾与土壤有效磷含量呈显著或极显著正相关,莴笋和白菜产量与紫色菜园土壤速效钾、缓效钾含量呈显著正相关。定位施肥协调紫色菜园土壤钾形态,改善土壤供钾能力,以有机无机肥料配施作用为优。     

Effects of earthworm activity on fertility and heavy metal bioavailability in sewage sludge

The potential for using earthworms (Eisenia fetida) to improve fertility and reduce copper and cadmium availability in sewage sludge was tested by laboratory incubation experiments. Results comparing sewage sludge with and without earthworm treatment showed that earthworm activity decreased the contents of organic matter, total nitrogen, but increased the contents of available nitrogen and phosphorus and had no significant effect on the contents of total phosphorus, total potassium and available potassium. After incubation of the sewage sludge with earthworms for 60 days, the contents of Cu and Cd in the earthworms increased with the increase of additional Cu up to 250 mg kg(-1) and Cd up to 10 mg kg(-1). Bioconcentration factors (BCF) were higher than 1 only for Cd when the addition rate was lower than 5 mg kg(-1), which indicates that the earthworms can only accumulate Cd when the concentration of Cd is low in sewage sludge. Bioavailability of Cd and Cu was evaluated by applying sewage sludge with and without earthworm treatment to soil and then growing cabbage plants. The results showed that earthworm treatment increased the biomass of cabbage and decreased the bioaccumulation of Cd and Cu in the cabbage plants.     

Uptake and distribution of natural radioactivity in wheat plants from soil

The uptake of naturally occurring uranium, thorium, radium and potassium by wheat plant from two morphologically different soils of India was studied under natural field conditions. The soil to wheat grain transfer factors (TF) were calculated and observed to be in the range of 4.0 x 10(-4) to 2.1 x 10(-3) for 238U, 6.0 x 10(-3) to 2.4 x 10(-2) for 232Th, 9.0 x 10(-3) to 1.6 x 10(-2) for 226Ra and 0.14-3.1 for 40K. Observed ratios (OR) of radionuclides with respect to calcium have been calculated to explain nearly comparable TF values in spite of differences in soil concentration of the different fields. They also give an idea about the discrimination exhibited by the plant in uptake of essential and nonessential elements. The availability of calcium and potassium in soil for uptake affects the uranium, thorium and radium content of the plant. The other soil factors such as illite clays of alluvial soil which trap potassium in its crystal lattice and phosphates which form insoluble compounds with thorium are seen to reduce their availability to plants. A major percentage (54-75%) of total 238U, 232Th and 226Ra activity in the plant is concentrated in the roots and only about 1-2% was distributed in the grains, whereas about 57% of 40K activity accumulated in the shoots and 16% in the grains. The intake of radionuclides by consumption of wheat grains from the fields studied contributes a small fraction to the total annual ingestion dose received by man due to naturally existing radioactivity in the environment.     

Modelling chronic exposure to contaminated soil: a toxicokinetic approach with the terrestrial snail Helix aspersa

To enlarge the possibilities of using organisms of the soil fauna to assess the bioaccumulative potential of chemicals, the kinetic of soil cadmium (Cd) transfer to the terrestrial gastropod Helix aspersa was investigated under laboratory conditions during a long-term experiment (6 months). During the exposure phase (3 months), juvenile snails were subjected to three different concentrations of Cd spiked in artificial ISO soil (ISO 0, 20 and 100 mg Cd kg(-1)) and to a field soil (ME4) industrially contaminated by 20 mg Cd kg (-1). For both soils, internal steady-state Cd concentrations were reached in the viscera of the snails, the main storage organ for Cd, after 2 weeks of exposure whatever the Cd concentration in soil. The equilibrium concentrations in the viscera were 0.7 (+/-0.1), 11.3 (+/-2.4), 73.3 (+/-4.8) and 6.3 (+/-1.3) mg Cd kg(-1) dry mass for ISO 0, ISO 20, ISO 100 and ME4, respectively. During the depuration phase (3 months), from 0 to 52% of the accumulated Cd in the viscera were removed by excretion or relocation in the foot. However, the snails were not able to depurate down to initial concentrations. Data were modelled by integrating a specific growth rate constant into one-compartment toxicokinetic models. This allowed the calculation of Cd uptake rates that can be used as indicators of metal bioavailability. Since this parameter was found to be lower for snails exposed to the field soil ME4, we concluded that lower Cd bioavailability in this field soil was responsible of the lower transfer to the snails compared to the ISO 20 soil, even though they were polluted to similar extents. Internal validation showed that the toxicokinetic models could be applied for predictive purposes, promising for the development of a bioaccumulation directive for terrestrial environment.     

两种土地利用方式下土壤重金属污染特征与评价

为研究安徽铜陵某矿区耕地和人工林地两种土地利用方式下土壤重金属污染特征，应用Tomlinson污染负荷指数法和生物富集系数评价研究区土壤重金属Cd、Cu污染水平和植物重金属富集水平。结果表明：研究区耕地土壤Cd、Cu全量2.34和161.25 mg/kg，均高于林地Cd、Cu全量1.26和80.15 mg/kg，二者均超农用地土壤污染风险筛选值（GB 15618-2018，pH≤5.5）和铜陵市重金属背景值，耕地和林地污染水平分别为中度污染和轻微污染。耕地糙米Cd（0.95 mg/kg）超标严重，黄山栾树地上部Cd、Cu富集系数均低于水稻地上部。综上，黄山栾树人工林地Cd、Cu污染轻于耕地，退耕还林是研究区更佳的土地利用选择。     

Metal/metalloid contamination and isotopic composition of lead in edible mushrooms and forest soils originating from a smelting area

High metal contents in edible mushrooms growing in severely contaminated industrial areas pose an important toxicological risk. In the presented study, trace element (Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Ag, As, Se) contents were determined in caps and stipes of three different edible mushroom species (Boletus edulis Bull. Fr., Xerocomus badius Fr. Gilb., Xerocomus chrysenteron Bull. Quél.). Additionally, information about the chemical fractionation of metals in separate soil horizons and Pb isotopic data from soils and fruiting bodies allowed a more detailed insight on the uptake mechanisms of metals by the studied mushroom species. Total metal and metalloid concentrations in the organic soil horizons reached 36234 mg Pb kg(-1); 11.9 mg Cd kg(-1); 519 mg Zn kg(-1); 488 mg Cu kg(-1); 25.1 mg Ag kg(-1); 120 mg As kg(-1) and 5.88 Se mg kg(-1). In order to evaluate the accumulation capacity of the studied species, bioconcentration factors (BCF) were calculated for separate trace elements. For selected metals (Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu), a modified BCF calculation (using EDTA-extractable concentrations of metals in soil) was proposed. High contents of Pb (up to 165 mg kg(-1)) and Cd (up to 55 mg kg(-1)) exceeded all the regulatory limits in all the studied species. This was also the case for Se (up to 57 mg kg(-1)) in B. edulis. Intensive consumption of this species grown in such polluted areas can therefore pose toxicological risks for human health. A novel finding was that X. badius can act as an Ag accumulating species when grown at polluted sites due to the high concentrations of Ag (up to 190 mg kg(-1)) in caps. Pb isotopic data showed that Pb originating from the recent air pollution control residues is present mainly in the exchangeable/acid-extractable fraction of the organic horizons and is taken up by fruiting bodies; especially in the case of B. edulis, where fast Pb accumulation occurs. Due to the high species-dependent variations of metal contents, the studied mushrooms are not suitable as bioindicators of environmental pollution.     

挺水植物水田芥对镉的积累特性研究

通过前期的初步研究发现,挺水植物水田芥(Nasturtium officinale R.Br.)地上部分镉含量超过了超富集植物的临界值(100mg/kg),可能是镉超富集植物。为进一步了解水田芥在不同镉浓度梯度条件下的镉积累特性,通过盆栽试验研究了不同土壤镉浓度(0、25、50、75、100mg/kg)对水田芥生长特性、镉耐性和镉积累特性的影响。结果表明:随土壤镉浓度的增加,水田芥根系和地上部分镉含量增大,分枝数量、根系生物量、地上部分生物量、抗性系数及叶绿素SPAD值均呈降低的趋势。当土壤镉浓度大于0mg/kg时,随着土壤镉浓度的增加,水田芥的根冠比呈增加的趋势。土壤镉浓度为50~100mg/kg时,水田芥地上部分镉含量均大于100mg/kg,最大值为214.84mg/kg(土壤镉浓度为100mg/kg),地上部分富集系数(BCF)大于1,但转运系数(TF)小于1。在土壤镉浓度为50mg/kg时,水田芥地上部分镉积累量达到最大值,为192.233μg/株。因此,水田芥是一种镉富集植物,适合用于土壤镉污染浓度在50mg/kg以内的水田修复。     

Yield and arsenate uptake of arbuscular mycorrhizal tomato colonized by Glomus mosseae BEG167 in As spiked soil under glasshouse conditions

A glasshouse pot experiment was conducted to study the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonization by Glomus mosseae BEG167 on the yield and arsenate uptake of tomato plants in soil experimentally contaminated with five As levels (0, 25, 50, 75 and 150 mg kg(-1)). Mycorrhizal colonization (50-70% of root length) was little affected by As application and declined only in soil amended with 150 mg As kg(-1). Mycorrhizal colonization increased plant biomass at As application rates of 25, 50 and 75 mg kg(-1). Shoot As concentration increased with increasing As addition up to 50 mg kg(-1) but decreased with mycorrhizal colonization at As addition rates of 75 and 150 mg kg(-1). Shoot As uptake increased with mycorrhizal colonization at most As addition levels studied, but tended to decrease with addition of 150 mg As kg(-1). Total P uptake by mycorrhizal plants was elevated at As rates of 25, 50 and 75 mg kg(-1), and more P was allocated to the roots of mycorrhizal plants. Mycorrhizal plants had higher shoot and root P/As ratios at higher As application rates than did non-mycorrhizal controls. The soil of inoculated treatments had higher available As than uninoculated controls, and higher pH values at As addition levels of 25, 50 and 75 mg kg(-1). Mycorrhizal colonization may have increased plant resistance to potential As toxicity at the highest level of As contamination studied. Mycorrhizal tomato plants may have potential for phytoextraction of As from moderately contaminated soils or phytostabilization of more highly polluted sites.     

Effect of copper-tolerant rhizosphere bacteria on mobility of copper in soil and copper accumulation by Elsholtzia splendens

The role of rhizosphere bacteria in facilitating the solubility of copper (Cu) in contaminated soil and Cu accumulation in plant were studied. The bacteria strains were isolated from the rhizosphere of Elsholtzia splendens, a Cu accumulator growing on Tonglu Mountain copper mines. After the sandy soils containing 237 mg kg(-1) were incubated with the bacteria strains, it was indicated that rhizosphere microbes played an important role in influencing the availability of water-soluble Cu in soils. Soils had greater concentrations of water-extractable Cu compared with axenic soils inoculated with different bacterial strains. Further evidence for bacterial facilitation of increased solubility of Cu in the soil was obtained using the antibiotic ampicillin (0.1 mg g(-1)). There were 36% decreases in Cu concentration in the presence of bacterial strain MS12 and ampicillin together compared with bacterial inoculation alone. Different bacterial strains had different abilities on soil water-soluble Cu. To achieve the highest rates of plant Cu accumulation, it was necessary for bacteria to be present in the rhizosphere of E. splendens. Inoculated plants supplied with 20 micromol L(-1) CuSO4 had significantly greater concentrations of Cu in shoots and roots than uninoculated plants and bacterial strain MS2 was the most effective strain in promoting plant Cu uptake. There were 2.2-fold and 2.5-fold increases in Cu accumulation in the shoots and roots of plants inoculated with strain MS2 compared to axenic controls. Furthermore, when ampicillin and the bacterial strains were added together to the nutrient solution, the Cu concentrations in roots and shoots of ampicillin-treated plants were lower than those in inoculated plants. When ampicillin was added to the nutrient solution, Cu accumulation was inhibited by about 24-44% in shoots and 20-44% in roots. The above results provided a new insight into the phytoremediation of Cu-contaminated soil.     

湖北省主要植烟区土壤肥力状况及分析

2005年以来测土配方施肥项目获取了大量土壤数据,通过对湖北省2009和2010年所获取的植烟区土壤养分数据进行抽样分析,并划分以十堰为核心的环神农架、以恩施为核心的鄂西南、神农架及以襄阳、宜昌为核心的鄂西北4个烟区,分别探讨不同烟区、不同土壤类型植烟土壤养分丰缺状况。结果表明,目前湖北省烟区土壤pH值、有机质、碱解氮、有效磷和速效钾含量分别为62、233 g/kg、1097 mg/kg、195 mg/kg和1236 mg/kg;569%的土壤pH适宜烟草生长,617%的土壤有机质含量在15～35 g/kg,土壤碱解氮、有效磷和速效钾缺乏面积分别为481%、363%和574%;各养分元素在不同烟区的分布存在一定差异,土壤pH以鄂西南最低,有机质含量鄂西南及神农架烟区明显高于环神农架和鄂西北地区,土壤碱解氮、有效磷含量鄂西南明显高于其余3个烟区,而土壤速效钾含量又以鄂西南烟区最低;湖北省烟区90%以上土壤为黄棕壤、水稻土、黄壤、石灰土、紫色土和棕壤,其中棕壤肥力水平较高,紫色土有机质及碱解氮含量低,水稻土有效磷和速效钾含量低。本研究还说明,充分利用测土配方施肥项目的资料对土壤养分数据进行系统分析,可全面掌握区域性土壤肥力现状并能指导科学施肥     

Subsurface nutrient modelling using finite element model under Boro rice cropping system

Boro rice, an emerging low-risk crop variety of rice, cultivated using residual or stored water after Kharif season. To enhance the quality and production of rice, potassium (K) and phosphorus (P) are the common constituents of agricultural fertilizers. However, excess application of fertilizers causes leaching of nutrients and contaminates the groundwater system. Therefore, assessment and optimization of fertilizer dose are needed for better management of fertilizers. Towards this, the present study determines the path, persistence, and mobility of K and P under the Boro rice cropping system. The experimental site consisted of four plots having Boro rice with four different fertilizer doses of nitrogen (N), P, K viz. 100%, 75%, 50%, and 25% of the recommended dose. Disturbed soil samples were analysed for K and P from pre-sown land to tillering stage at 0–5, 5–10, 10–15, 15–30, 30–45, and 45–60 cm depths. Simultaneously, K and available P were also simulated in the subsurface soil layers through the HYDRUS-1D model. The statistical comparisons were made with RMSER, E, and PBIAS between the modelled values and laboratory-measured values. Although, the results showed that all the treatments considered had agreeable simulations for both K and P, the K simulations were found to be better as compared to P simulations except for 25% where P simulations outperformed K. The simulated concentration at all doses was found most appropriate when measured for the subsurface layers (up to 45 cm), while showed an underestimation in the bottom layers (45–60 cm) of soil.

     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi decrease radiocesium accumulation in Medicago truncatula

The role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in plant radiocesium uptake and accumulation remains ambiguous. This is probably due to the presence of other soil microorganisms, the variability of soil characteristics and plant nutritional status or the availability of its chemical analogue, potassium (K). Here, we used an in vitro culture system to study the impact of increased concentration of K on radiocesium accumulation in non K-starved mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal Medicago truncatula plants. In the presence of AMF radiocesium uptake decreased regardless of the concentration of K, and its translocation from root to shoot was also significantly lower. Potassium also reduced the accumulation of radiocesium in plants but to a lesser extent than mycorrhization, and without any effect on translocation. These results suggest that AMF in combination with K can play a key role in reducing radiocesium uptake and its subsequent translocation to plant shoots, thereby representing good potential for improved phytomanagement of contaminated areas.     

Effects of soil amendments on lead uptake by two vegetable crops from a lead-contaminated soil from Anhui, China

Previous studies have documented that phosphate compounds of lead (Pb) [e.g., pyromorphite Pb5(PO4)3-(X), where X=OH, F or Cl] are comparatively insoluble, and their formation in Pb-contaminated soil may be a means of reducing the bioavailability and chemical lability of Pb in soil. In this study, the effect of phosphate compound amendments on the bioavailability of Pb in a polluted alkaline soil was examined. A Pb-contaminated soil was treated with hydroxyapatite (HA), phosphate rock (PR), water-soluble P fertilizer (single superphosphate, SSP) and the combination of HA with SSP. The bioavailability of Pb was determined in plant uptake studies with vegetables (Brassica campetris L. var. communis, BC) and Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala, BO) and sequential extraction. The results indicated that the Pb concentrations in both shoots and roots of two vegetable plants decreased with increasing quantities of added P compound, and the HA treatment had the best effect at the level of 5000 mg of P kg(-1)as compared with other treatments in which the Pb concentrations in shoots of BO and BC decreased 51.9% and 65.5%, respectively, and the Pb concentrations in roots of BO and BC decreased 67.3% and 57.2%, respectively, as compared with the control treatment. The SSP treatment had little effect on the Pb concentrations in plant tissues. Sequential extraction results indicated that the addition of soil amendments transform soil Pb from nonresidual fractions to residual fraction substantially. The effect of treatments followed this order at the equivalent P addition: HA>PR>HA+SSP>SSP. The results suggested that HA amendments can lower the bioavailability and increase the geochemical stability of soil Pb, so it has the potential for in situ remediation in Pb-contaminated soils.     

Environmental contamination of heavy metals from zinc smelting areas in Hezhang County, western Guizhou, China

Total heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn) concentrations were evaluated in smelting waste, soil, crop and moss samples collected from the Hezhang artisanal zinc smelting areas, Guizhou, China. Soil samples from the cornfield near the smelting sites contained extremely high Cd (5.8-74 mg kg(-1)), Pb (60-14,000 mg kg(-1)) and Zn (260-16,000 mg kg(-1)) concentrations. Elevated heavy metal concentrations were also found in corn plants and total Pb (0.80-1.5 mg kg(-1)) and Cd (0.05-0.76 mg kg(-1)) concentrations in corn grain have totally or partially exceeded the national guidance limits for foodstuff. Thus, the soil-to-crop transfer of heavy metals might pose a potential health risk to the local residents. Similar to the high heavy metal levels in soil and corn, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations in moss samples collected from the smelting sites ranged from 10 to 110, 10 to 55, 26 to 51, 400 to 1200 and 330 to 1100 mg kg(-1), respectively, exhibiting a local spatial pattern of metals deposition from the atmosphere. Based on examination of Zn/Cd and Pb/Cd ratios of the analyzed samples, we have distinguished between the flue gas dust derived and smelting waste derived metals in different environmental compartments.     

Post-irrigation impact of domestic sewage effluent on composition of soils,crops and ground water--a case study

Long-term irrigation with sewage water adds large amounts of carbon, major and micro- nutrients to the soil. We compared the spatial distribution of N, P, K and other micronutrients and toxic elements in the top 0.6 m of an alluvial soil along with their associated effects on the composition of crops and ground waters after about three decades of irrigation with domestic sewage effluent as a function of distance from the disposal point. Use of sewage for irrigation in various proportions improved the organic matter to 1.24-1.78% and fertility status of soils especially down to a distance of 1 km along the disposal channel. Build up in total N was up to 2908 kg ha(-1), available P (58 kg ha(-1)), total P (2115 kg ha(-1)), available K (305 kg ha(-1)) and total K (4712 kg ha(-1)) in surface 0.15 m soil. Vertical distribution of these parameters also varied, with most accumulations occurring in surface 0.3 m. Traces of NO3-N (up to 2.8 mg l(-1)), Pb (up to 0.35 mg l(-1)) and Mn (up to 0.23 mg l(-1)) could also be observed in well waters near the disposal point thus indicating initiation of ground water contamination. However, the contents of heavy metals in crops sampled from the area were below the permissible critical levels. Though the study confirms that the domestic sewage can effectively increase water resource for irrigation but there is a need for continuous monitoring of the concentrations of potentially toxic elements in soil, plants and ground water.     

Plant uptake of 134Cs in relation to soil properties and time

134Cs uptake by sunflower and soybean plants grown on seven different soils and its relation to soil properties were studied in a greenhouse pot experiment. Soil in each pot was contaminated by dripping the 134Cs in layers, and sunflower and soybean plants were grown for three and two successive periods, respectively. 134Cs plant uptake was expressed as the transfer factor (TF) (Bq kg(-1) plant/Bq kg(-1) soil) and as the daily plant uptake (flux) (Bq pot(-1) day(-1)) taking into account biomass production and growth time. For the studied soils and for both plants, no consistent trend of TFs with time was observed. The use of fluxes, in general, provided less variable results than TFs and stronger functional relationships. A negative power functional relationship between exchangeable potassium plus ammonium cations expressed as a percentage of cation exchange capacity of each soil and 134Cs fluxes was found for the sunflower plants. A similar but weaker relationship was observed for soybean plants. The significant correlation between sunflower and soybean TFs and fluxes, as well as the almost identical highest/lowest 134Cs flux ratios, in the studied soils, indicated a similar effect of soil characteristics on 134Cs uptake by both plants. In all the studied soils, sunflower 134Cs TFs and fluxes were significantly higher than the respective soybean values, while no significant difference was observed in potassium content and daily potassium plant uptake (flux) of the two plants.     

A multivariate analysis of the accumulation and fractionation of major and trace elements in agricultural soils in Hidalgo State, Mexico irrigated with raw wastewater

We evaluated the accumulation and distribution of major and trace elements in agricultural soils of District 03 (DR03) in the State of Hidalgo, Mexico, irrigated with raw wastewaters for an average of 20 years. Samples of topsoils (0-30 cm depth) were extracted using a modified Tessier method. Total concentrations of the species tested were in the ranges of 675-1176 mg K kg(-1), 277.9-1001 mg Na kg(-1), 6,708-81,854 mg Ca kg(-1), 23,800-106,974 mg Mg kg(-1), 9.2-123.8 mg B kg(-1), 0.6-1.9 mg Cd kg(-1), 11.6-27.4 mg Cr kg(-1), 3.9-47.0 mg Pb kg(-1). Concentrations of As and Hg were very low. Concentrations of total Cd, Cr and Pb were generally below the maximum permissible levels set by the regulations of the European Union except for cadmium, which was in the middle of the maximum European range allowed for two soils. Regarding lead, one soil (S5) could reach the maximum permissible level of the EU in 6 more years of continued irrigation. On the other hand, contents of Pb in the most mobile fractions ("e" in this work) were significant (range: 3-28%). This distribution translated into concentrations of soluble plus exchangeable lead of approximately 2 mg Pb kg(-1) in three of six soils, significantly higher than the Swiss tolerance limit of 1.0 mg Pb kg(-1) for mobile fractions of lead in soils. Multivariate analysis of the data (Pearson correlation and principal component analysis) quantitatively confirmed that: (i) there is a strong covariance between boron contents and several variables representing the salinity of soils (electrolytic conductivity, a variety of alkaline and alkaline-earth total and fraction concentrations). It appears that there is a problem with high boron content in soils, although the salinity is high only for one of the soils (S3); (ii) a significant correlation among irrigation time, lead content (total, fraction easily exchangeable and bound to organic matter and sulfides) and organic carbon in soils was found; (iii) another association among irrigation time, total contents of cadmium, chromium and boron, and organic carbon was observed.     

Predictions of in situ solid/liquid distribution of radiocaesium in soils

Previous work has demonstrated that plant uptake of radiocaesium (RCs) is related to the activity concentration of RCs in soil solution, which is linked to the soil/soil solution distribution coefficient, K(D). The solid-liquid distribution of RCs is generally studied in soil suspensions in the laboratory and there are few reported measurements for in situ soil solutions. From a data set of 53 different soils (contaminated with either 134CsCl or 137CsCl) used in pot trials to investigate grass uptake of RCs, we analysed the variation of in situ K(D) with measured soil properties. The soils differed widely in % clay (0.5-58%), organic matter content (1.9-96%) and pH (2.4-7.0, CaCl2). The K(D) varied between 29 and 375,000 L kg-' (median 1460 L kg(-1)). Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed a significant correlation between the log K(D) and pH (p < 0.001), log %clay (p < 0.01) and log exchangeable K (p < 0.001) (overall R2 = 0.70). The in situ K(D) values were further compared to K(D)S predicted using an existing model, which assumes that RCs sorption occurs on specific sites and regular ion-exchange sites on the soil solid phase. Sorption of RCs on specific sites was quantified from the radiocaesium interception potential (RIP) measured for each soil and the soil solution concentrations of K+ and NH4+. The in situ log K(D) correlated well with the predicted K(D) (R2 = 0.85 before plant growth, R2 = 0.83 after plant growth). However, the observations were fivefold to eightfold higher than the predictions, particularly for the mineral soils. We attribute the under-prediction to the long contact times (minimum 4 weeks) between the RCs tracers and our experimental soils relative to the short (24 h) contact times used in RIP measurements. We conclude that our data confirmed the model but that ageing of RCs in soil is a factor that needs to be considered to better predict in situ KD values.     

蒌蒿(Artemisia selengensis L.)修复洞庭湖土壤Cd污染的强化措施研究

〖HTSS〗洞庭湖土壤镉污染严重,蒌蒿（Artemisia selengensis L.）是在洞庭湖湿地新发现的一种对镉具有较强富集能力的优势植物,已证实该种植物对土壤中的镉具有较好的修复效果和潜能,将来可作为洞庭湖土壤镉污染的理想修复材料。以南洞庭湖Cd污染土壤为栽培基质,分别在蒌蒿幼苗期、成株期添加EDTA等7种螯合剂和调控物质,研究了不同添加物对蒌蒿生长状况及Cd富集效果的影响。结果表明,HEDTA、EDTA、DTPA等3种螯合剂不同程度地降低了蒌蒿地上部分的生物量,但增加了土壤中有效态Cd的含量,使蒌蒿茎叶中Cd的富集浓度分别上升了35.5%、984%、421%,可显著提高蒌蒿的修复效果;生石灰的添加则使土壤有效态Cd明显减少,抑制了蒌蒿对Cd的富集;有机腐殖质和复合肥的施加虽促进了蒌蒿生长,但未对其富集效果产生显著影响;幼苗期施加调控物质,在植株生物量、Cd富集浓度及土壤有效态Cd含量等方面造成的影响均大于成株期