Effects of melatonin on cadmium accumulation in the accumulator plant Perilla frutescens

To enhance the phytoremediation ability of the heavy metal accumulator Perilla frutescens, melatonin (MT) was applied at different concentrations (0, 25, 50, 100, 150, and 200?μmol/L) to P. frutescens growing in cadmium (Cd) contaminated soil (10?mg/kg). The MT treatments increased the root and shoot biomasses of P. frutescens, with the maximum increase in the 150?μmol/L MT treatment (79.51% and 36.18% higher, respectively, than those of the control). The MT treatments also enhanced superoxide dismutase activity, peroxidase activity, and the soluble protein concentration of P. frutescens, and 100–200?μmol/L MT increased the chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll concentrations in P. frutescens. The MT treatments increased the Cd concentrations in roots and shoots of P. frutescens in a dose-dependent manner. Different MT concentrations increased the Cd accumulation amounts of roots and shoots of P. frutescens, with the maxima accumulation amounts in the 150?μmol/L MT treatment (226.98% and 85.89% higher, respectively, than those of the control). These results show that MT can promote the growth and phytoremediation ability of P. frutescens growing in Cd-contaminated soil, and the optimum MT dose is 150?μmol/L.     

Higher Cd adsorption on biogenic elemental selenium nanoparticles

Cadmium (Cd) is a carcinogenic metal contaminating the environment and ending up in wastewaters. There is therefore a need for improved methods to remove Cd by adsorption. Biogenic elemental selenium nanoparticles have been shown to adsorb Zn, Cu and Hg, but these nanoparticles have not been tested for Cd removal. Here we studied the time-dependency and adsorption isotherm of Cd onto biogenic elemental selenium nanoparticles using batch adsorption experiments. We measured ζ-potential values to assess the stability of nanoparticles loaded with Cd. Results show that the maximum Cd adsorption capacity amounts to 176.8 mg of Cd adsorbed per g of biogenic elemental selenium nanoparticles. The ζ-potential of Cd-loaded nanoparticles became less negative from ?32.7 to ?11.7 mV when exposing nanoparticles to an initial Cd concentration of 92.7 mg L^?1. This is the first study that demonstrates the high Cd uptake capacity of biogenic elemental selenium nanoparticles, of 176.8 mg g^?1, when compared to that of traditional adsorbents such as carboxyl-functionalized activated carbon, of 13.5 mg g^?1. An additional benefit is the easy solid–liquid separation by gravity settling due to coagulation of Cd-loaded biogenic elemental selenium nanoparticles.     

Cd、Pb在根际与非根际土壤中的吸附解吸特点

采用根袋盆栽试验以及平衡法研究根际与非根际土壤对镉、铅的吸附-解吸特性。结果表明，在镉、铅起始浓度分别为Cd 0-0．6mmol／L和Pb0～1mmol／L条件下，根际与非根际土壤镉、铅吸附量差别不大，随镉、铅浓度的提高，根际土壤镉、铅吸附量均比相应的非根际土壤的高。根际与非根际土壤镉、铅解吸量随镉、铅吸附量的增加而增加，但铅解吸率(0．7％以下)明显比镉的(5％-10％)低，根际土壤镉解吸量比非根际土壤的低。     

Pomegranate husk as an adsorbent in the removal of toxic chromium from wastewater

The use of a new sorbent developed from the husk of pomegranate, a famous fruit in Egypt, for the removal of toxic chromium from aqueous solution has been investigated. The batch experiment was conducted to determine the adsorption capacity of the pomegranate husk. The effects of initial metal concentration (25 and 50 mg l^?1), pH, contact time, and sorbent concentration (2–6 g l^?1) have been studied at room temperature. A strong dependence of the adsorption capacity on pH was observed, the capacity increased as the pH decreased, and the optimum pH value was pH 1.0. Adsorption equilibrium and kinetics were studied with different sorbent and metal concentrations. The adsorption process was fast, and equilibrium was reached within 3 h. The maximum removal was 100% for 25 mg l^?1 of Cr⁶⁺ concentration on 5 g l^?1 pomegranate husk concentration, and the maximum adsorption capacity was 10.59 mg g^?1. The kinetic data were analysed using various kinetic models—pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich, and intraparticle diffusion equations—and the equilibrium data were tested using several isotherm models, Langmuir, Freundlich, Tempkin, Dubinin–Radushkevich, and Generalized isotherm equations. The Elovich and pseudo-second-order equations provided the greatest accuracy for the kinetic data, while Langmuir and Generalized isotherm models were the closest fit for the equilibrium data. The activation energy of sorption has also been evaluated as 0.236 and 0.707 kJ mol^?1 for 25 and 50 mg l^?1 chromium concentration, respectively.     

Geochemical distribution of trace element concentrations in the vicinity of Boroo gold mine,Selenge Province,Mongolia

The environmental impacts of Boroo gold mine project in Mongolia was evaluated by chemical characterization of trace element concentrations in water, soils and tailing dam sediment samples. The results showed that concentrations of B, Cd, Ni and Se in the water samples were within the accepted levels of the Mongolia water quality standard (MNS4586: 1998). However, the concentrations of Al, As, Cu, Mn, Fe, Pb, U and Zn were higher than the maximum allowable concentration especially in the monitoring and heap leach wells. The average concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in the tailing dam sediment were 4419, 58.5, 56.0, 4.8, 20.6 and 25.7 mg/kg, respectively. Generally, arsenic and heavy metals in the soil samples were within the acceptable concentrations of the soil standard of Mongolia (MNS 5850: 2008). The chemical characterization of As solid phase in tailing dam sediment showed that the majority of As were found in the residual fraction comprising about 74% of total As. Assessing the potential risk to humans, simple bioavailability extraction test was used to estimate bioavailability of arsenic and heavy metals, and the concentrations extracted from tailing dam sediment were; 288.2 mg/kg As, 7.2 mg/kg Cd, 41.1 mg/kg Cu, 13.5 mg/kg Pb, 4.7 mg/kg Ni and 23.5 mg/kg Zn, respectively. From these results, the Boroo gold mine project has presently not significantly impacted the environment, but there is a high probability that it may act as a source of future contamination.     

壳聚糖改性膨润土处理焦化废水的实验研究

焦化废水是煤制焦炭、煤气净化及焦化产品回收过程中产生的废水,其成分复杂多变,属于难处理的工业废水。利用壳聚糖对膨润土进行改性,制备了壳聚糖改性膨润土,并应用于焦化废水的处理,并对影响处理效果的工艺参数进行了优化,结果表明：在pH=8.6,投加量为10g·mL-1,搅拌时间为30min,离心时间为12min条件下,改性膨润土对焦化废水CODcr的去除率达到82.5%以上,处理效果明显优于原土和壳聚糖。此外,通过对原土和壳聚糖改性膨润土进行的比表面积和扫描电镜等表征测定分析可知,壳聚糖的加入并没有改变膨润土的基本框架,只是增大了膨润土的比表面积,从而提高吸附性能。     

Characteristics,sources and health risk assessment of toxic heavy metals in PM<Subscript>2.5</Subscript> at a megacity of southwest China

Twenty trace elements in fine particulate matters (i.e., PM_2.5) at urban Chengdu, a southwest megacity of China, were determined to study the characteristics, sources and human health risk of particulate toxic heavy metals. This work mainly focused on eight toxic heavy metal elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn). The average concentration of PM_2.5 was 165.1 ± 84.7 µg m^?3 during the study period, significantly exceeding the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (35 µg m^?3 in annual average). The particulate heavy metal pollution was very serious in which Cd and As concentrations in PM_2.5 significantly surpassed the WHO standard. The enrichment factor values of heavy metals were typically higher than 10, suggesting that they were mainly influenced by anthropogenic sources. More specifically, the Cr, Mn and Ni were slightly enriched, Cu was highly enriched, while As, Cd, Pb and Zn were severely enriched. The results of correlation analysis showed that Cd may come from metallurgy and mechanical manufacturing emissions, and the other metals were predominately influenced by traffic emissions and coal combustion. The results of health risk assessment indicated that As, Mn and Cd would pose a significant non-carcinogenic health risk to both children and adults, while Cr would cause carcinogenic risk. Other toxic heavy metals were within a safe level.     

Effect of cadmium in the soil on growth,secondary metabolites and metal uptake in Salvia miltiorrhiza

We investigated the effect of Cd with different concentrations in soil (control, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mg kg^?1) on Salvia miltiorrhiza. The growth of S. miltiorrhiza was examined at 90 and 120 d, while active components were tested at 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 d; Cd uptake was measured at days 0, 90, and 120. The biomass data indicated that high Cd concentration can stimulate the accumulation of biomass after a long treatment. The Cd content in the above- and below-ground parts strongly corresponds to the bioavailable Cd extracted by ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and acetic acid. The Cd content in the below-ground parts of control approached the Cd standards given by World Health Organization after 120 d. The Cd content in the below-ground parts of S. miltiorrhiza at a Cd concentration of 0.5 mg kg^?1 exceeded the Cd standards after being grown for 90 and 120 days. The accumulation of hydrosoluble components in the above-ground parts appeared later than that in the below-ground parts. With longer treatment time, high Cd treatment promoted an accumulation of hydrosoluble and liposoluble components. The Cd content in the below-ground plant parts indicated that there was still a risk of exceeding the Cd limit for S. miltiorrhiza grown in the soil contaminated by low-concentration Cd after a long time.     

Seasonal concentrations of lead in outdoor and indoor dust and blood of children in Riyadh,Saudi Arabia

Because detrimental effects of exposure to lead (Pb) on human health have been observed, we previously investigated concentrations of Pb in water supplies and blood of adult residents of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The objectives of the present study were to: (1) examine seasonal rates of deposition of Pb in dust in several areas of Riyadh city, (2) measure concentrations of Pb in both outdoor and indoor dust, (3) compare concentrations of Pb in dust in Riyadh with those reported for other cities, and (4) quantify Pb in blood of children living in Riyadh. Mean, monthly deposition of PB in outdoor dust was 4.7 × 10¹ ± 3.6 tons km^?2, with a mean Pb concentration of 2.4 × 10² ± 4.4 × 10¹ μg/g. Mean, monthly deposition of Pb in indoor dust was 2.7 ± 0.70 tons km^?2, with a mean concentration of 2.9 × 10¹ ± 1.5 × 10¹ μg Pb/g. There was a significant (P < 0.01) correlation between concentrations of Pb in outdoor and indoor dust. There was no correlation between concentrations of Pb in indoor dust and that in blood of children of Riyadh, whereas there was a weakly significant (P < 0.05) correlation between concentrations of Pb in outdoor dust and that in blood of children. The mean (±SD) concentration of Pb in blood of children in Riyadh was 5.2 ± 1.7, with a range of 1.7–1.6 × 10¹ μg/dl. Concentrations of Pb in blood of 17.8 % of children in Riyadh were greater than 10 μg/dl, which is the CDC’s level of concern.     

Glutathione-functionalized melamine sponge,a mimic of a natural antidote,as a quick responsive adsorbent for efficient removal of Hg(II) from aqueous solutions

Minamata disease is caused by methylmercury, which is produced by microorganisms from inorganic mercury ions, Hg(II), in the aquatic environment. Adsorption is a feasible method to remove Hg(II) from waters, but there are some drawbacks when using conventional adsorbents, for example, tedious solid–liquid separation, slow response, and excessive residual levels of mercury. In this work, a novel spongy adsorbent has been developed for Hg(II) removal via surface functionalization of melamine formaldehyde sponge by glutathione. This material mimics a natural antidote that removes trace heavy metals in the human body. Results show that the functionalized sponge displays a 99.99% removal efficiency for low concentrations of Hg(II) of 10 mg/L. As a consequence, the residual Hg concentration is lower than 0.005 mg/L, which is slightly below the standard for total mercury in drinking water, of 0.006 mg/L, formulated by the World Health Organization, and much lower that the discharge regulation standard, of 0.01 mg/L, set by the ministry of environmental protection of China. Adsorption kinetic studies indicate that the functionalized sponge has a fast response. Indeed, the adsorption equilibrium can be reached within 10 min, and about 80% of total adsorption capacities are reached in 1 min. Moreover, the maximum adsorption capacity of the glutathione-functionalized sponge is as high as 240.02 mg/g, as shown by adsorption isotherm. Overall our findings disclose the great potential of the developed sponge adsorbent for rapid and efficient removal of Hg(II) from water.     

Cadmium accumulation by green algae Cladophora glomerata (L.) Kutz. (Chlorophyta) in presence of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

Accumulation of metals by aquatic organisms is mostly affected by other biological components in environments. In this study, cadmium (Cd) accumulation in green algae, Cladophora glomerata (L.) Kutz., exposed to 0.1 and 1.0 mg L^?1 of Cd for 15 and 30 days was examined in laboratory conditions in the presence of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (L.). The green algae C. glomerata accumulated Cd concentrations as 690 ± 70 and 3430 ± 470 mg kg^?1 on day 15, and 1130 ± 180 and 6830 ± 1540 mg kg^?1 on day 30. There were significant increases (p < 0.05) in metal accumulation by green algae as the exposure time and metal concentration increased. The results also indicated that the presence of Nile tilapia in the medium led to a significant Cd accumulation in the green algae compared to control (p < 0.05).     

三氯生对青海弧菌Q67和人乳腺癌细胞MCF-7的时间毒性

三氯生(triclosan,TCS)是一种广谱性抗菌剂,2005年欧盟水框架指令将TCS列为一种新型污染物。目前对TCS的研究局限于急性毒性实验,关于TCS毒性随时间的变化以及不同溶解状态下TCS的毒性差异的研究却鲜有报道。应用以96孔微板为暴露反应载体的微板毒性分析法,添加氢氧化钠(NaOH)或使用二甲亚砜(DMSO)作为助溶剂溶解TCS,分别测定其对青海弧菌Q67的相对发光抑制毒性(15min急性毒性和时间毒性)和对人乳腺癌细胞MCF-7在不同暴露时间(24、48和72h)内的细胞增殖抑制毒性。Q67的急性毒性实验结果表明,碱性条件下TCS的毒性(EC50=3.97(10-8mol.L-1)大于DMSO作为助溶剂时的毒性(EC50=1.68(10-4mol.L-1)。无论碱性条件还是DMSO助溶,TCS在不同暴露时间内对Q67的时间毒性没有明显差异。在不同暴露时间下MCF-7增殖抑制率实验中,DMSO作为助溶剂时,TCS的最高实验浓度为1.46(10-3mol.L-1,随着暴露时间的延长,抑制率在24、48和72h时分别为27.8%、44.2%和62.4%;碱性环境时TCS的最高实验浓度为1.39(10-6mol.L-1,随着暴露时间的延长,抑制率在24、48和72h时分别为20.2%、55.8%和73.9%。研究表明,在DMSO和NaOH作为助溶剂的条件下,TCS对MCF-7均存在时间毒性差异,并且NaOH碱性溶液中TCS对MCF-7的毒性远大于DMSO作为助溶剂时的毒性。     

Metal levels in computer monitor components discarded in the vicinities of electronic workshops

Levels of Pb, Ni, Cr, Cu, Zn, and Cd in the glass screens (GS) and printed wiring boards (PWBs) of obsolete computer monitors (OCMs) were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS) following standard digestion. Metal concentrations (mg kg^?1) in GS were in the following ranges (medians in brackets): Pb ND – 3100 (46), Cd 0.5–2.6 (0.8), Cr ND – 18.7 (3.1), and Zn 8.1–600 (37) and in PWBs (mg kg^?1): Pb 34,600 ± 17,000, Cd 11 ± 9, Cr 59 ± 45, Zn 15,900 ± 7800, Cu79,000 ± 22,600, and Ni 3200 ± 2500. In GS, the levels of the six metals were lower than their total threshold limit concentrations (TTLC), except for Pb with a TTLC of 1000 mg kg^?1 in 10% of the samples. In the PWBs, the TTLC of Pb and Cu (2500 mg kg^?1) was exceeded many fold. For Zn (5000 mg kg^?1) and Ni (2000 mg kg^?1); they were exceeded by 90% and 65%, respectively. For OCMs manufactured in 2001 and later, Pb and Zn levels in GS and Cr, Zn, and Ni in PWBs were significantly reduced.     

Comparative degradation rates of chitinous exoskeletons from deep-sea environments

Hydrothermal vent environments, particularly those associated with the vestimentiferan Riftia pachyptila, are believed to be among the highest chitin-producing systems. In order to elucidate the chitin cycle in these environments, we estimate the in situ chitin degradation rates of tube-worm exoskeletons. Our in situ experiments show that the tubes of Riftia are highly stable structures. Comparative measurements of the degradation rates of Riftia tubes and crab shells immersed at deep-sea vents show that the tubes would be degraded within 2.5 years, whereas the time for the total degradation of the vent crab (Bythograea thermydron) carapaces would not exceed 36 days. The importance of the microbial participation in this degradation was estimated for Riftia tubes. Based on previous work, we calculated chitin production by a population of Riftia tubes of about 750 g m^-2 year^-1 (763). From our in situ experiments, we estimated a microbial chitinolysis rate of about 500 g m^-2 year^-1 (496) (65% of the chitin produced).Exoskeletons containing β-chitin appear more stable in natural environments than those containing α-chitin and would thus be less available as carbon and nitrogen sources. In contrast, isolated β-chitin was hydrolysed faster than α-chitin during in vitro degradation experiments; for instance, Riftia β-chitin was degraded about 3- to 4-fold faster than Bythograea α-chitin. A stabilization process by disulfide bonds of the proteins-chitin link, rather than the crystalline form of the chitin (α/β), accounts for the resistance of Riftia tubes to enzymatic attacks.     

Application of eggshell waste for the immobilization of cadmium and lead in a contaminated soil

Liming materials have been used to immobilize heavy metals in contaminated soils. However, no studies have evaluated the use of eggshell waste as a source of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) to immobilize both cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in soils. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of eggshell waste on the immobilization of Cd and Pb and to determine the metal availability following various single extraction techniques. Incubation experiments were conducted by mixing 0–5% powdered eggshell waste and curing the soil (1,246 mg Pb kg^?1 soil and 17 mg Cd kg^?1 soil) for 30 days. Five extractants, 0.01 M calcium chloride (CaCl₂), 1 M CaCl₂, 0.1 M hydrochloric acid (HCl), 0.43 M acetic acid (CH₃COOH), and 0.05 M ethylendiaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), were used to determine the extractability of Cd and Pb following treatments with CaCO₃ and eggshell waste. Generally, the extractability of Cd and Pb in the soils decreased in response to treatments with CaCO₃ and eggshell waste, regardless of extractant. Using CaCl₂ extraction, the lowest Cd concentration was achieved upon both CaCO₃ and eggshell waste treatments, while the lowest Pb concentration was observed using HCl extraction. The highest amount of immobilized Cd and Pb was extracted by CH₃COOH or EDTA in soils treated with CaCO₃ and eggshell waste, indicating that remobilization of Cd and Pb may occur under acidic conditions. Based on the findings obtained, eggshell waste can be used as an alternative to CaCO₃ for the immobilization of heavy metals in soils.     

Toxicity of cadmium nanoparticles to Bacillus subtilis

The study deals with the toxicological impact of cadmium nanoparticles (Cd NPs) on Bacillus subtilis as a model Gram-positive bacterium. Cadmium oxide (CdO) NPs (～22 nm) and cadmium sulfide (CdS) NPs (～3 nm) were used in this study. Both the NPs were found to inhibit the cell viability of B. subtilis when added to the culture at mid-log phase, the viable cell number declined with increasing concentration of Cd NPs. At mid-log phase, 15 mg L^?1 CdO NPs inhibited growth by ～50%, whereas at 30 mg L^?1 growth completely ceased. Under the same conditions, CdS NPs inhibited growth by ～50% at a concentration of 8 mg L^?1, and at 20 mg L^?1 growth was completely retarded. The cells changed their morphological features to a filamentous form with increasing Cd NPs exposure time, leading to associated with clumping. NPs treated cells when stained with 4′, 6-diamino-2-phenylindole, showed filamentous multinucleated bead structure, suggesting irregularities in cell division. Increasing intracellular oxidative stress due to Cd NPs exposure might be one of the reasons for the cell morphological changes and toxicity in B. subtilis.     

Endocrine stress response in Oreochromis sp. from exposure to waterborne cadmium: the plasma cortisol analysis

Cadmium (Cd) is known as one of the most dangerous environmental and industrial pollutants. It has no biological function and accumulates mainly in metabolically active tissue even at low concentrations, which in turn may cause tissue damage. The effect of Cd on the endocrine systems of fish is not well known. To test the hypothesis that Cd is a chemical stressor, Oreochromis sp. were exposed to waterborne cadmium chloride and their endocrine stress response (plasma cortisol) was investigated after 4 days and 20 days. The plasma cortisol levels were analyzed using reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography with UV detection (λ = 250 nm) after liquid–liquid extraction. The detection limit of the method was found to be 0.87 ng/mL plasma. This study provides evidence that Cd probably causes exhaustion of endocrine systems. Oreochromis sp. exposure to Cd resulted in a 15%–53% and 52%–91% suppression of cortisol release after 4 days and 20 days of exposure, respectively, in comparison with the control group. The results suggest that Cd still activates the endocrine system at 20 days and the interrenal cells of Oreochromis sp. were not impaired after 20 days of exposure to Cd.     

Screening for acute ocular toxicity of commercialized products of cartap,an insecticide,and correlation to blood concentrations in rabbits

Cartap is an insecticide known to produce contraction and damage to mouse and rabbit diaphragms, and plays a pivotal role in respiratory paralysis and mortality in rabbits. The aim of this study was conducted to screen for the toxic properties and blood concentrations of commercialized cartap products in New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits. Five granular formulations (GRs) with different concentrations (4, 6, 6.5, 6.66 or 10%) and seven water-soluble powders (SPs, 50%) of commercialized cartap products were chosen to study toxicity following ocular instillation. Furthermore, ocular instillation (5, 12.5, 25 or 50 mg kg^?1) and oral administration (25 mg kg^?1) of the technical material (TC) cartap was also performed to compare blood concentration changes in rabbits. There was no death or eye irritation with all GR products; however, soluble powder (SP) products produced severe toxicity and mortality in rabbits. The blood concentration of TC cartap in rabbits started to increase from 2 min and reached peak levels at 7–9 min after ocular instillation in a dose-related pattern. For comparison of the blood distribution of cartap via different administration routes, oral exposure exhibited a higher absorption of cartap than ocular instillation. It was suggested that the commercialized GR products of cartap were safe but 50% SP products were highly toxic to rabbits following ocular exposure. This study provides valuable data to screen for potential acute toxicity of cartap to farmers and animals in the field.     

Measurement of metal bioaccessibility in vegetables to improve human exposure assessments: field study of soil–plant–atmosphere transfers in urban areas,South China

The quality of cultivated consumed vegetables in relation to environmental pollution is a crucial issue for urban and peri-urban areas, which host the majority of people at the global scale. In order to evaluate the fate of metals in urban soil–plant–atmosphere systems and their consequences on human exposure, a field study was conducted at two different sites near a waste incinerator (site A) and a highway (site B). Metal concentrations were measured in the soil, settled atmospheric particulate matter (PM) and vegetables. A risk assessment was performed using both total and bioaccessible metal concentrations in vegetables. Total metal concentrations in PM were (mg kg^?1): (site A) 417 Cr, 354 Cu, 931 Zn, 6.3 Cd and 168 Pb; (site B) 145 Cr, 444 Cu, 3289 Zn, 2.9 Cd and 396 Pb. Several total soil Cd and Pb concentrations exceeded China’s Environmental Quality Standards. At both sites, there was significant metal enrichment from the atmosphere to the leafy vegetables (correlation between Pb concentrations in PM and leaves: r = 0.52, p < 0.05) which depended on the plant species. Total Cr, Cd and Pb concentrations in vegetables were therefore above or just under the maximum limit levels for foodstuffs according to Chinese and European Commission regulations. High metal bioaccessibility in the vegetables (60–79 %, with maximum value for Cd) was also observed. The bioaccessible hazard index was only above 1 for site B, due to moderate Pb and Cd pollution from the highway. In contrast, site A was considered as relatively safe for urban agriculture.     

Effects of fertiliser and intercropping on cadmium uptake by maize

This study investigated the effect of fertilisation and intercropping on the uptake of cadmium (Cd) by maize plants (Zea mays L. var. Guangtian-2). Maize was intercropped with soybean, peanut, chickpea, alfalfa, adzuki bean, garden pea, amaranth, Chinese mustard, and flowering Chinese cabbage. The results showed that most legumes substantially enhanced Cd uptake by maize under different fertiliser treatments. Cd accumulation in the leaf tissues of maize was increased by garden pea to 1.5 times the amount in the control (maize alone) with PK fertiliser. Maize intercropped with garden pea absorbed 1225 μg plant^?1 Cd and transferred 925.9 μg plant^?1 Cd to above ground tissues. Adzuki bean proved as the most valuable intercrop for enhancing Cd extraction from soil by maize owing to its relatively large maize bioconcentration factor of 5.9 and large transfer factor of 0.47 in the no fertiliser treatment. The results suggest that legumes caused a greater effect than non-legumes on Cd concentration in maize under different fertilisers; application of NPK fertiliser had positive effects on Cd level in intercropped maize.