铅锌尾矿废弃地的化学性质研究

凡口铅锌尾矿废弃地的不同区位及不同深度的尾矿中铅锌含量存在着较大的差异，总锌为703－19657mg/kg、总铅10413－94988mg/kg。正常尾矿中，有效态锌含量达到151．6－841．7mg/kg，有效态铅含量很低（0．75－2．50mg/kg)，有机质、总氮、有效磷及速效钾等营养物质缺乏。当尾矿酸化后，pH降低，有效态Pb、Zn含量升高，有效锌达到175．8－2828．0mg/kg，有效铅含量最高为100．0mg/kg，而有机质、总氮和有效磷为零，使尾矿更加贫瘠。在尾矿库的边缘区位和尾矿表面的覆盖土壤区位，基质中营养物质含量增加，但是营养状况的改善又引起了有效态的Pb、Zn含量升高。     

土法炼锌区生态退化与重金属污染

土法炼锌致使冶炼区大量重金属的累积以及生态环境的严重破坏.研究以土法炼锌的集中点妈姑为例,探索了土法炼锌区的土壤和植被退化现状,以及重金属的分布规律,为废弃地的生态重建与污染修复提供科学依据.冶炼造成大面积的植被破坏,成为裸地,停止冶炼后,植被自然恢复极为缓慢,特别是废渣堆放处.冶炼残渣具有较高的pH值和EC值、低CEC,有机质极为缺乏,含N量低.冶炼区污染土壤明显酸化,导致P有效性降低.冶炼废渣具有高的孔隙度和良好的通气性,但持水保水能力差.冶炼废渣的Pb、Zn、Cd含量分别为4 632 mg/kg、8 968 mg/kg、58 mg/kg.污染土壤的Pb、Zn、Cd含量分别为234 mg/kg、400 mg/kg、9.6 mg/kg.污染土壤中Pb、Zn、Cd的DTPA提取态百分比分别为6.8%、19.97%、29.72%.废渣中Pb、Zn、Cd的DTPA提取态百分比分别为0.44%、1.36%、4.80%,但其绝对含量接近于污染土壤,具有较大环境风险性.     

某铀矿区农田土壤重金属生物有效性分析

为探究某铀矿区附近农田土壤的重金属生物有效性,以该铀矿采矿区、冶炼厂和尾矿坝附近农田土壤为研究对象,分析土壤理化性质并采用经改良后的BCR四步提取法对土壤重金属Pb、Cd、Cr、Cu和U生物有效性进行评估。结果表明:研究区农田土壤偏酸性;不同区位农田土壤有机质含量由大到小依次为尾矿坝、冶炼厂和采矿区;重金属赋存形态主要为残渣态;重金属元素Pb、Cd、Cr和Cu生物有效态含量分别占其总含量的27%～42%,放射性核素U生物有效态含量为U总含量的43%～45%;不同区位农作物对重金属Cr、Cd、Cu和Pb富集系数由大到小依次为采矿区、冶炼厂和尾矿坝;各区位农作物对U的富集效果均最强。综上,研究区农田土壤重金属生物有效性受pH值、有机质含量及重金属生物有效态含量等因素的综合影响,重金属生物有效性越强,其引起的生态风险越大;不同区位农田土壤中重金属Cr、Cd、Cu和Pb生物有效性由大到小依次为采矿区、冶炼厂和尾矿坝;不同区位农田土壤重金属中U的生物有效性均最强;由于受提炼铀矿石的影响,冶炼厂相较于其他研究区域具有更强的U生物有效性;虽然尾矿坝农田农作物对重金属元素的富集效果较差,但考虑到该区位土壤重金属含量较大,其带来的生态风险仍值得关注。研究结果可为今后该矿区重金属污染的科学生物防治提供重要理论依据。     

西安市兴庆宫公园土壤中重金属含量研究及污染评价

通过对西安市兴庆宫公园表层土壤的取样调查,分析了Cu、Zn、Cd、Cr及Pb等5种重金属的含量及形态分布特征,并对其综合污染状况及潜在生态风险进行分析与评价。结果显示,兴庆宫公园的表层土壤呈碱性,并含有较多有机质;土壤中Cu、Zn、Cd、Cr及Pb平均含量分别为29．89mg／kg、55．28mg／kg、0．169mg／kg、66．71mg／kg和43．59ms／kg;土壤中Cu、Zn、Cd、Cr及Pb化学形态均以残渣态为主;整个公园土壤内梅罗污染指数为2．29,土壤重金属综合污染已经达到中度污染;整个公园潜在生态风险指数平均值为73．89,生态风险等级为轻微。     

“双耐”细菌-香根草对铅镉复合污染土壤的修复机理

将"双耐"细菌与重金属富集植物——香根草构建修复体系,探讨其对铅(Pb)、镉(Cd)复合污染土壤的联合修复效应.试验为双因素完全随机区组试验,A因素为铅镉污染浓度,设置6个水平,即Cd0Pb0、Cd10Pb400、Cd20Pb800、Cd40Pb1200、Cd60Pb1600、Cd80Pb2000(数据单位为mg/kg).B因素为K7菌加菌量,设置3个水平,加菌量为0、1.5、3.0 g.结果表明:(1)"双耐"细菌能提高香根草的生物量.当处理为Cd10Pb400加菌1.5 g时,提高3.9%;当Cd40Pb1200加菌1.5 g时,提高13.2%,加菌量为3.0 g时增加30.46%;当Cd60Pb1600加菌1.5 g时,提高9.46%;当Cd80Pb2000加菌3.0 g时,提高7.02%.(2)"双耐"细菌对香根草地上和地下部铅、镉的吸收具有促进作用.当土壤中铅含量1 200 mg/kg,加菌量1.5 g的香根草地上铅含量分别提高了1.9 mg/kg(Cd10Pb400)、3.6 mg/kg(Cd20Pb800)、4.1 mg/kg(Cd40Pb1200).对于镉而言,当加菌量为1.5 g时,地上部镉含量分别升高了314.7%(Cd10Pb400)、4 1.7%(Cd20 Pb800)、35.1%(Cd20Pb800)、103.5%(Cd40Pb1200)、57.8%(Cd6 0Pb1600).加菌后根部铅含量大于不加菌的根部铅含量,Cd40Pb1200处理时,根部铅浓度最大.相同铅、镉浓度处理时,加菌量为3.0 g的香根草根部镉含量比加菌量1.5 g的根部镉含量高.(3)加菌后的香根草根际土有效态铅、镉含量比不加菌的浓度低.香根草根际土有效态铅含量下降幅度最大的处理是Cd20Pb800加菌1.5 g,与对照组相比降低了30.22%.相同污染条件下,加菌3.0 g香根草根际土有效态镉含量最低."双耐"菌强化香根草修复铅镉污染土壤的机理可为修复铅镉污染土壤的实际应用提供理论依据和技术参考.     

大灰藓植物监测衡阳市大气重金属生态危害研究

为评价衡阳市大气中6种重金属的潜在生态危害程度,通过对大灰藓植物体和土壤中的重金属含量分析,可知,15个样点当中植物体内Zn含量为149.427 mg/kg～381.552 mg/kg,Pb含量为68.842 mg/kg～124.738 mg/kg,Cr含量16.303 mg/kg～38.717 mg/kg,Cu含量为15.462 mg/kg～37.467 mg/kg,Cd含量为0.975 mg/kg～2.495 mg/kg,Hg含量范围在0.192 mg/kg～0.443 mg/kg.土壤中Zn含量为85.683 mg/kg～245.165 mg/kg,Pb含量范围为38.030 mg/kg～71.938 mg/kg,Cr含量为28.987 mg/kg～64.442 mg/kg,Cu含量为18.448 mg/kg～42.983 mg/kg,Cd含量为0.212 mg/kg～0.553 mg/kg,Hg含量为0.268 mg/kg～0.640 mg/kg.相关性分析表明大灰藓植物体和土壤重金属之间Pearson相关性系数都未达到显著性差异.6种重金属的环境风险指数都为轻微生态危害,衡阳市大气重金属的潜在生态危害程度为中等生态危害.     

相思谷尾矿8种定居植物对重金属吸收及富集特性

通过野外调查和室内实验,探讨铜陵市相思谷铜尾矿自然定居的芒(Miscanthus sinensis)、羊蹄(Rumex japonicus)、何首乌(Polygonum multiflorum)、苦荬菜(Ixeris denticulata)、荩草(Arthraxon hispidus)、1年蓬(Erigeron annuus)、小飞蓬(Conyza canadensis)、高粱泡(Rubus lambertianus)8种植物对重金属Cu、Pb、Zn和Cd吸收与富集特性,为铜尾矿废弃地植被恢复和重金属污染土壤的植物修复提供理论依据。结果表明:铜陵相思谷铜尾矿中全氮、全磷、速效氮、速效磷、速效钾、有机质等营养成分均极显著低于对照的土壤(P0.01);铜尾矿中的重金属铜质量分数高达2 224.167 mg·kg-1,锌、镉等重金属极显著高于对照土壤的含量(P0.01),铅含量显著高于对照土壤的含量(P0.05)。相思谷铜尾矿营养成份低,重金属Cu含量过高是抑制植物定居的主要因子。通过对8种植物体内不同部位的重金属含量分析发现,8种植物对重金属的吸收主要集中在根部。地上部分重金属含量最高的植物为芒,其Cu、Pb、Zn和Cd质量分数分别为314.487、85.710、199.681、2.650 mg·kg-1。通过对转移系数和富集系数分析发现,芒对Cu、Pb和Cd的转移能力最强,分别为0.701、1.797和1.432,羊蹄对Zn的转移能力最强,为1.743。芒的地上部分对重金属Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd的富集系数均最高,分别为0.141、0.408、0.239、0.240;芒的地下部分对重金属Cu、Cd的富集系数最高,分别为0.202、0.168。因此,芒不仅可作为铜尾矿植被恢复的植物,同时也用于重金属污染土壤的修复植物。     

铅锌矿区农田土壤重金属有效态空间分布及其影响因子分析

利用地统计学方法,研究了广西岩溶地区某铅锌矿区农田土壤中Cd、Zn、Pb、Cu四种重金属有效态含量的空间分布特征及其影响因子.结果表明:研究区域不同程度地受到Cd、Zn、Pb、Cu的污染,且水田污染较旱地严重;与广西土壤背景值相比,污染程度最严重的是Cd,在水田和旱地中超标率均为100%,平均超标倍数分别为312.94和33.67;其次是Zn,在水田和早地中超标率分别为100%和34%,平均超标倍数分别为38.34和2.11;污染最轻的为Cu,超标率仅为7%.空间分析表明,有效态Cd、Zn、Pb、Cu的块金系数分别为2.7%、0.2%、6.5%、0.13%,体现了强烈的空间自相关性,且四种重金属空间分布特征相似,在离原铅锌选矿厂较近的西北偏西面有效态Cd、Zn、Pb、Cu含量最高,沿着西北偏西至东南偏东的灌溉渠流向,有效态Cd、Zn、Pb、Cu的含量呈递减趋势,东部旱地有效态Cd、Zn、Pb、Cu含量相对较低.土壤有效态Cd、Zn、Pb、Cu在污染区的空间分布与土壤基本理化性质关系密切,有效态Cd、Zn、Pb、Cu与pH、阳离子交换量、粘粒都呈极显著负相关,与有机质含量则呈极显著正相关.     

北方常见农作物根际土壤中铅、锌的形态转化及其植物有效性

采用盆栽试验结合形态分析技术研究了北方地区常见农作物对污染土壤中铅(Pb)、锌(Zn)的形态转化及其植物有效性的影响。土壤Pb、Zn形态分析结果显示,与非根际土壤相比,多数作物根际可交换态、碳酸盐结合态、有机质结合态Pb比例降低,而铁锰氧化物结合态、残渣态Pb则显著增加;Zn则表现为可交换态比例略呈降低趋势,碳酸盐结合态、铁锰氧化物结合态与有机质结合态升高,残渣态Zn则大幅下降。这提示,作物根际土壤Pb存在由松结合态向紧结合态转化的现象,从而植物有效性降低;而根际土壤Zn的形态变化则与Pb相反,即由紧结合态向松结合态转化,相应地提高了Zn的植物有效性。     

铜尾矿区9种优势植物体内重金属和氮磷含量研究

以杨山冲铜尾矿废弃地人工覆土上生长的9种优势植物为研究对象,探讨不同植物对尾矿基质中重金属和氮磷的吸收特性以及与基质理化性质之间的关联。土壤样品采集时沿基质垂直方向分为4层：A层（覆土层0~5 cm）、B层（覆土层5~20 cm）、C层（尾砂层20~25 cm）、D层（尾砂层25~40 cm）,植物样品采集时草本植物分地上和地下2部分、木本植物分根、茎和叶3部分采集。结果表明：随着9种植物生长,A层和B层基质理化性质得到明显的改善。主要表现在A层中w（总氮）、w（氨氮）、w（硝氮）、w（有效磷）和w（有机质）显著高于C、D层（P〈0.05）,B层中w（有效态Cu）、w（有效态Zn）显著低于A、C、D层（P〈0.05）。9种优势植物对Cu、Pb、Zn的吸收和积累能力具有明显差异性,其中草本植物以根系积累为主,木本植物以叶片积累为主。草本植物对尾矿基质表现出较强的适应性和耐性,其中毛叶荩草（Arthraxon prionodes）根系中Cu、Pb、Zn的富集量均最大,耐性表现最突出,是较为理想的铜尾矿基质的修复物种。另外,本研究还发现,9种植物体内氮磷质量分数也各不相同,其中木本植物叶中氮磷质量分数均大于根、茎。木本植物体内w（总氮）与w（总磷）、w（Cu）、w（Zn）相关性较好,草本植物体内w（Cu）、w（Pb）、w（Zn）之间相关性较好,表明彼此之间存在一定的促进作用。     

Electro-remediation of tailings from a multi-metal sulphide mine: comparing removal efficiencies of Pb,Zn, Cu and Cd

Sulphidic mine tailings characterised by high concentrations of heavy metals (Pb 3532?±?97?mg/kg, Zn 8450?±?154?mg/kg, Cu 239?±?18?mg/kg and Cd 14.1?±?0.3?mg/kg) and abundant carbonate (17%) were subjected to eight lab-scale electrodialytic remediation (EDR) experiments to investigate the influence of current density, treatment time and particle size on removal efficiency. Pb and Cu removal improved when increasing current density, while Zn and Cd removal did not. In contrast Zn and Cd removal improved by grinding the tailings, while Pb and Cu removal did not. At the highest current density (1.2?mA/cm²), 94%, 75%, 71% and 67% removal of Pb, Zn, Cu and Cd could be achieved, respectively, on grinded tailings in 28 days. Sequential chemical extraction made before and after EDR revealed larger oxidisable fractions of Zn, Cu and Cd, representing large fractions of sulphides, which was likely to be the main barrier to be removed as efficiently as Pb. This was in accordance with acid/base extraction tests in which Pb showed high solubility at both high and low pH (up to 65% and 86% of extraction, respectively), while considerable extraction of Zn (55%) happened only at low pH; and very limited extraction (<20%) of Cu and Cd occurred at any pH.     

Effects of three low-molecular-weight organic acids (LMWOAs) and pH on the mobilization of arsenic and heavy metals (Cu, Pb, and Zn) from mine tailings

Natural organic acids may play an important role in influencing the mobility of toxic contaminants in the environment. The mobilization of arsenic (As) and heavy metals from an oxidized Pb–Zn mine tailings sample in the presence of three low-molecular-weight organic acids, aspartic acid, cysteine, and succinic acid, was investigated at a mass ratio of 10 mg organic additive/g mine tailings in this study. The effect of pH was also evaluated. The mine tailings sample, containing elevated levels of As (2,180 mg/kg), copper (Cu, 1,100 mg/kg), lead (Pb, 12,860 mg/kg), and zinc (Zn, 5,075 mg/kg), was collected from Bathurst, New Brunswick, Canada. It was found that the organic additives inhibited As and heavy metal mobilization under acidic conditions (at pH 3 or 5), but enhanced it under neutral to alkaline conditions (at pH above 7) through forming aqueous organic complexes. At pH 11, As, Cu, Pb, and Zn were mobilized mostly by the organic additives, 45, 46, 1,660, and 128 mg/kg by aspartic acid, 31, 28, 1,040, and 112 mg/kg by succinic acid, and 53, 38, 2,020, and 150 mg/kg by cysteine, respectively, whereas those by distilled water were 6, 16, 260, and 52 mg/kg, respectively. It was also found that the mobilization of As and the heavy metals was closely correlated, and both were closely correlated to Fe mobilization. Arsenic mobilization by the three LMWOAs was found to be consistent with the order of the stability of Fe–, Cu–, Pb–, and Zn–organic ligand complexes. The organic acids might be used potentially in the natural attenuation and remediation of As and heavy metal–contaminated sites.     

湖南南部铅锌矿区铅锌富集植物筛选研究

在湖南省桂阳县铅锌矿区采用调查和室内分析相结合的方法,采集植物和土壤样品112个,分别测定了土壤和植物样品的铅锌含量,筛选铅锌富集植物。结果表明：矿区土壤铅锌污染十分严重,矿区土壤铅和锌的平均质量分数分别为：2177.22、3165.89 mg·kg^-1。植物样品根系的铅锌质量分数分别为：264.00、666.11 mg·kg^-1,地上部铅锌质量分数平均为165.56、363.87 mg·kg^-1,植物根系的铅锌含量与土壤的铅锌含量呈显著正相关。通过对比分析,以地上部铅质量分数大于450 mg·kg^-1、锌质量分数大于750 mg·kg^-1、转运系数大于1、植物地上部形态高大为筛选条件,筛选出5种铅富集植物分别是：糯米团（Hyrtanandra）、水蓼（Polygonum hydropiper）、酸模（RumexacetosaLinn）、毛叶堇菜（Viola verecumda A.Gray）、地榆（Garden Burnet Root）;3种锌富集植物分别是：鬼针草（Bidens pilosa L.）、博落回（Macleaya cordata（Willd.） R. Brown）和糯米团;糯米团茎叶的铅锌质量分数分别为635.48、919.51 mg·kg^-1,可作为铅锌复合污染土壤修复的备选植物品种。     

Effects of cadmium on nutrient uptake and translocation by Indian Mustard

Plants that hyperaccumulate metals are ideal subjects for studying the mechanisms of metal and mineral nutrient uptake in the plant kingdom. Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea) has been shown to accumulate moderate levels of Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni, Zn, and Cu. In this experiment, 10 levels of Cd concentration treatments were imposed by adding 10-190 mg Cd kg(-1) to the soils as cadmium nitrate [Cd(NO3)2]. The effect of Cd on phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and the micronutrients iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) in B. juncea was studied. Plant growth was affected negatively by Cd, root biomass decreased significantly at 170 mg Cd kg(-1) dry weight soils treatment. Cadmium accumulation both in shoots and roots increased with increasing soil Cd treatments. The highest concentration of Cd was up to 300 mg kg(-1) d.w. in the roots and 160 mg kg(-1) d.w. in the shoots. The nutrients mainly affected by Cd were P, K, Ca, Fe, and Zn in the roots, and P, K, Ca, and Cu in the shoots. K and P concentrations in roots increased significantly when Cd was added at 170 mg kg(-1), and this was almost the same level at which root growth was inhibited. Zn concentrations in roots decreased significantly when added Cd concentration was increased from 50 to 110 mg kg(-1), then remained constant with Cd treatments from 110 to 190 mg kg(-1). However, Zn concentrations in the shoots seemed less affected by Cd. It is possible that Zn uptake was affected by the Cd but not the translocation of Zn within the plant. Ca and Mg accumulation in roots and shoots showed similar trends. This result indicates that Ca and Mg uptake is a non-specific process.     

Investigation and risk assessment modeling of As and other heavy metals contamination around five abandoned metal mines in Korea

Tailings, agricultural soils, vegetables and groundwater samples were collected from abandoned metal mines (Duckum, Dongil, Dongjung, Myoungbong and Songchun mines) in Korea. Total concentrations of arsenic (As) and heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) were analyzed to investigate the contamination level. Several digestion methods (Toxicity characteristics leaching procedure (TCLP), synthetic precipitation leaching procedure (SPLP), 0.1 N/1 N HCl) and sequential extraction analysis for mine tailings were conducted to examine the potential leachability of As and heavy metals from the tailings. The order of urgent remediation for the studied mines based on the risk assessment and remedial goals was suggested. The Songchun mine tailings were most severely contaminated by As and heavy metals. Total concentrations of As and Pb in the tailings were 38,600–58,700 mg/kg (av. 47,400 mg/kg) and 11,800–16,800 mg/kg (av. 14,600 mg/kg), respectively. Agricultural soils having high As concentrations were found at the all mines. Average concentrations of Cd in the vegetables exceeded the normal value at all mines areas, while As only at the Dongjung, Myoungbong, and Songchun mine area. One groundwater sample each from the Dongil and Myoungbong mines, and 4 groundwater samples from the Songchun mine had values above 10 μg/L of As concentration. The TCLP method revealed that only Pb in the Songchun tailings, 6.49 mg/L, exceeded the regulatory level (5 mg/L). Employing the 1-N HCl digestion method, the concentration of As in the Songchun mine tailings, 4,250 mg/kg, was up to 3,000 times higher than its Korean countermeasure standard. Results from the sequential extraction of As in the tailings showed that the easily releasable fraction in the Myoungbong and Songchun mine tailings was more than 30% and the residual fraction was less than 40%. Based on results showing the exposure health risk employing the hazard quotient and cancer risk of As, Cd and Zn, the Dongil mine needs the most urgent remedial action. The concentration reduction factor (CRF) of As in both soil and groundwater follows the order: Songchun>Dongjung>Dongil>Myoungbong>Duckum mine.     

铅锌冶炼厂土壤污染及重金属富集植物的研究

对株洲市铅锌冶炼厂生产区进行了植被和土壤调查。结果表明，该厂土壤污染以镉铅锌(Cd、Pb、Zn)最为严重，尤其是重金属镉在土壤中含量超过背景值高达208倍，分析原因主要是由于大气尘降和雨水淋洗等使得污染加重。实验采集并分析测定了9种植物中重金属富集量，首次报道了土荆芥是一种铅超富集植物，其体内Pb质量分数高达3888mg／kg。另一种植物商陆能大量富集镉，具有地下部向地上部转运能力强、生物量大、富集总量高的特点，有很大研究价值和应用潜力。另外，荨麻对Zn有较强富集能力，这3种植物可分别用于铅、镉和锌等3种重金属污染土壤的植物修复。     

宝山堇菜多金属吸收特征和耐性策略

宝山堇菜Viola baoshanensis Shu,Liu et Lan是一种Cd超富集植物,但它对不同重金属的吸收和转运能力有待进一步研究。从湖南桂阳宝山多金属矿区中筛选4个宝山堇菜优势分布的小生境,分析这些生境中宝山堇菜及其根区土壤的重金属质量分数。化学分析结果显示,宝山堇菜优势分布土壤中Cd、Pb、Zn、Cu、Mn和Fe的平均质量分数（mg/kg）分别为471、15 044、8 273、1 776、4 702和69 054。宝山堇菜地上部Cd、Pb、Zn、Cu、Mn和Fe的平均质量分数（mg/kg）分别为387、1 077、1 037、99、379和1 812,其中Cd、Pb超过超富集植物标准,Zn、Cu的平均质量分数大约是Zn、Cu超富集植物标准的10%,Mn的平均质量分数低于Mn超富集植物标准的5%,Fe的平均质量分数高于1 000 mg/kg。上述结果表明,宝山堇菜可以超富集Cd和Pb,富集Zn、Cu和Fe以及低积累Mn。此外,宝山堇菜对不同重金属差别化吸收模式可能也代表了超富集植物适应重金属复合污染土壤的一种策略。     

Relationship between heavy metal concentrations of herbaceous plants and soils at four Pb-Zn mining sites in Yunnan, China

This paper studied the relationship between heavy metal concentrations of herbaceous plants and soils at four Pb-Zn mining sites in Yunnan, China. 50 herbaceous plant samples of 9 plant species from 4 families and 50 soil samples were collected and then ana1yzed for the tota1 concentrations of Pb, Cd, and Zn. The results showed that the average concentrations of Pb, Cd, and Zn in soil samples were 3772.83, 168.81, and 5385.65 mg/kg, respectively. The average concentrations of Pb, Cd, and Zn were 395.68, 28.14, and 1664.20 mg/kg in the shoots, and 924.12, 57.25, and 1778.75 mg/kg in the roots, respectively. Heterospecific plants at the same site and conspecific plants at various sites had different average levels of Pb, Cd, and Zn, both in the shoots and the roots. Enrichment coefficients of Pb, Cd, and Zn were greater than 1 in 2, 3, and 9 herbaceous plant samples, respectively. Translocation factors of Pb, Cd, and Zn were greater than 1 in 10, 17, and 25 herbaceous plant samples, respectively. In all 50 samples, the concentrations of Pb, Cd, and Zn between the shoots and the roots, the shoots, and the soils, and the roots and the soils had significant positive relationships.     

Metals in agricultural soils and plants in Egypt

Since analysis of both soil and plants are useful to assess contamination of a geographic area, concentrations of five representative metals: copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and iron (Fe) in soil and associated plants were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Samples were collected from four different Egyptian regions (El-mehala El-kobra, Kafr El-Sheikh, Kafr El-zayat, and Al-fayoum) during spring and summer 2010. Concentrations of the selected metals in agricultural soils were significantly different among locations and seasons. Concentrations of Cd and Fe in soils at the four locations exceeded the maximum allowable concentrations for Cd (8 mg/kg, dry mass (dm)) and Fe (1000 mg/kg, dm). Accumulation was different for clover and cotton. Clover blossoms grown in soil from Kafr El-zayat contained the greatest concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb, and Fe. Cotton flowers from El-mehala El-kobra accumulated the highest levels of Cd. Concentrations of Cd and Pb in both clover and cotton flowers from the four locations exceeded maximum allowable concentrations (3 mg/kg, dm) for both Cd and Pb. Using such agricultural soils for cultivation of edible crops for consumption may result in chronic hazards to human health.     

Heavy metal concentration in soil and woody plants in a quarry

This study determined the concentration of three heavy metals zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) in soil and in a woody plant species, Milicia excelsa, at Ishiagu quarry, Nigeria. The highest soil concentrations of Zn, Pb, and Cd in soil were obtained at 1?m from the quarry site. In M. excelsa, the highest concentrations of Zn, Pb, and Cd were 3.12–9.1, 3.9–6.01, and 0.51–1.12?mg?kg^?1, respectively. There were significant positive correlations between Cd and Zn (r?=?0.963) and Cd and Pb (r?=?0.974) in plants as well as between Cd and Pb (r?=?9.84) in soil. The level of Cd in soil reflected significant pollution compared to average global concentrations in soils.