三峡库区主要粮食作物和土壤中重金属的相关性及富积特征分析

采用野外采样和室内分析,试验结果表明三峡库区土壤中重金属Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd、Fe、Cr的变异系数小于50%,重金属的含量比较稳定。稻谷（Oryza sativa）中Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd、Fe、Mn、Cr,玉米（Zea mays）中Pb、Cd、Fe、Mn、Cr和小麦（Triticum aestivum）中Cu、Pb、Cd、Fe、Mn、Cr的变异系数大于50%。土壤、稻谷、玉米、小麦中大部分重金属呈偏态分布。土壤中重金属间均为正相关,且极显著正相关性明显。稻谷、玉米、小麦中重金属间有正相关,也有负相关,但正相关明显多于负相关;稻谷、玉米、小麦中Mn同其它重金属间均有显著正相关性,协同作用明显。稻谷、玉米、小麦中Pb、Cd、Cr的样本超标率较大,污染明显,并且稻谷中Cd与土壤中Cd有直线关系。     

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.     

3 forest simulation model

The 3 forest simulation model is a process model of tree growth, carbon and nitrogen dynamics in a single-species, even-aged forest stand. It is based on the model. Major changes include the computation of sun angle and radiation as a function of latitude and day of the year, the closed-form integration of canopy production as a function of day and hour, the introduction of tree number, height, and diameter as separate state variables, and different growth strategies, mortalities, and resulting self-thinning as function of crowding competition.The tree/soil system is described by a set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations for the state variables: tree number, base diameter, tree height, wood biomass, nitrogen in wood, leaf mass, fine root mass, fruit biomass, assimilate, carbon and nitrogen in litter, carbon and nitrogen in soil organic matter, and plant-available nitrogen. The model includes explicit formulations of all relevant ecophysiological processes such as: computation of radiation as a function of seasonal time, daytime and cloudiness, light attenuation in the canopy, and canopy photosynthesis as function of latitude, seasonal time, and daytime, respiration of all parts, assimilate allocation, increment formation, nitrogen fixation, mineralization, humification and leaching, forest management (thinning, felling, litter removal, fertilization etc.), temperature effects on respiration and decomposition, and environmental effects (pollution damage to photosynthesis, leaves, and fine roots). Only ecophysiological parameters which can be either directly measured or estimated with reasonable certainty are used. 3 is a generic process model which requires species- and site-specific parametrization. It can be applied to deciduous and coniferous forests under tropical, as well as temperate or boreal conditions.The paper presents a full documentation of the mathematical model as well as representative simulation results for spruce and acacia.     

treedyn3 forest simulation model

The treedyn3 forest simulation model is a process model of tree growth, carbon and nitrogen dynamics in a single-species, even-aged forest stand. It is based on the treedyn model. Major changes include the computation of sun angle and radiation as a function of latitude and day of the year, the closed-form integration of canopy production as a function of day and hour, the introduction of tree number, height, and diameter as separate state variables, and different growth strategies, mortalities, and resulting self-thinning as function of crowding competition.The tree/soil system is described by a set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations for the state variables: tree number, base diameter, tree height, wood biomass, nitrogen in wood, leaf mass, fine root mass, fruit biomass, assimilate, carbon and nitrogen in litter, carbon and nitrogen in soil organic matter, and plant-available nitrogen. The model includes explicit formulations of all relevant ecophysiological processes such as: computation of radiation as a function of seasonal time, daytime and cloudiness, light attenuation in the canopy, and canopy photosynthesis as function of latitude, seasonal time, and daytime, respiration of all parts, assimilate allocation, increment formation, nitrogen fixation, mineralization, humification and leaching, forest management (thinning, felling, litter removal, fertilization etc.), temperature effects on respiration and decomposition, and environmental effects (pollution damage to photosynthesis, leaves, and fine roots). Only ecophysiological parameters which can be either directly measured or estimated with reasonable certainty are used. treedyn3 is a generic process model which requires species- and site-specific parametrization. It can be applied to deciduous and coniferous forests under tropical, as well as temperate or boreal conditions.The paper presents a full documentation of the mathematical model as well as representative simulation results for spruce and acacia.     

海南岛北部潮间带红树林对重金属的累积特征

对海南岛北部潮间带红树林湿地7种红树植物（根、茎、叶）及其根系沉积物中重金属元素含量进行了分析,结果表明：研究区湿地沉积物中Ni、Cu、Zn、As和Cd的变异系数大于0.50,沉积物中重金属分布很不稳定。其中Cr、Cu、Zn、As和Cd的含量均高于海南水系沉积物背景值,可能存在外源的输入。仅有Pb的含量略低于海南水系沉积物背景值。总体来看,大部分植物显示了对Cd元素的较强的富集能力（BAC〉1）,瓶花木对重金属元素的吸收能力总体上要比其他红树植物强一些,木果楝对重金属元素的吸收能力总体上最弱。其中,瓶花木（Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea）对Cr、Zn、As和Cd的吸收能力较强,莲叶桐（Hernandia sonora）对Cr和Ni的吸收能力较强,角果木（Ceriops tagal）对Pb的富集能力较强。角果木（Ceriops tagal）和桐花树（Aegiceras corniculatum）对Cd和Pb的运输能力较强,瓶花木（Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea）对Cu、Zn和Cd的运输能力较强,尖瓣海莲（Bruguiera sexangula）对Cr、Ni、Cd和Pb的运输能力较强,木榄（Bruguiera gymnorrhiza）对Ni、Cu、Cd和Pb的运输能力较强,木果楝（Xylocarpus granatum）对Cr、Zn和Cd的运输能力较强,莲叶桐（Hernandia sonora）对Cr也有较强的运输能力。但此次所研究的红树植物对As元素的运输能力均很弱,建议适量引入适宜在研究区生长并且对As元素富集能力较强的植物。     

A Diverse and Endangered Aquatic Ecosystem of the Southeast United States

We document the biodiversity and conservation status of an extraordinarily diverse and endangered ecosystem in the United States that has failed to attract the same attention as tropical ecosystems—the rivers and streams of Alabama and adjoining states. Relative to North America as a whole, Alabama is a highlight of aquatic diversity supporting 38% of native fresh water fishes, 43% of native freshwater gill-breathing snails, 60% of native mussels, and 52% of native freshwater turtles. Of these, 41%, 77%, 34%, and 22% of the fishes, snails, mussels, and turtles, respectively, are endemic to Alabama and an adjacent state. Like many tropical systems of developing nations, this fauna is in an imperiled state, with 10%, 65%, 69%, and 43% of Alabama's fishes, gill-breathing snails, mussels, and turtles, respectively, considered either extinct, endangered, threatened, or of special concern. Unlike tropical systems, however, little effort has been made to protect the taxa and their habitats. Only 40% of fishes, 1% of gill-breathing snails, 32% of mussels, and 20% of freshwater turtles are formally listed as either threatened or endangered via the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973; no critical habitat has been protected. Clearly, the biodiversity crisis in not limited to tropical systems of developing nations. Although the Endangered Species Act of 1973 helps to ensure a future of sustainable diversity, efforts must be made to hasten recognition, protection, and recovery of critical habitat, particularly for hotspots such as the aquatic systems of Alabama.     

Geochemical baselines of heavy metals in the sediments of two large freshwater lakes in China: implications for contamination character and history

The aim of this study was to estimate the geochemical baseline concentrations of various heavy metals in the surface sediments of two large freshwater lakes in Taihu and Dianchi, China, and to assess the character and history of heavy metal contamination around the two lakes. Heavy metal concentrations in the sediments were obtained by field surveys and were supplemented with published data. The statistical methods of cumulative frequency and normalization were employed to obtain the baselines. The respective baseline concentrations for As, Sb, Hg, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were 9.92, 1.67, 0.14, 22.62, 100.56, 31.63, 31.97, 33.05 and 97.01?mg/kg, respectively, in Taihu, and 24.60, 4.29, 0.25, 36.78, 135.68, 90.05, 50.76, 73.56 and 208.76?mg/kg, respectively, in Dianchi. The baseline concentrations of these heavy metals in Lake Taihu were equivalent to the pre-industrial concentrations determined from lakes in Sweden and Europe. Conversely, those in Lake Dianchi were much higher than the pre-industrial values. Li, Fe, Sc, Ti, V and Al were found to be the suitable reference elements for normalization, and one of these elements could be used to predict the baseline concentrations of heavy metals except Hg. Most of the heavy metals had one inflexion, and only Cu and Pb in Taihu, Sb, Pb and Zn in Dianchi, were found to have two inflexions in the cumulative curves, suggesting remarkable anthropogenic inputs of Cu and Pb in Taihu, Sb, Pb and Zn in Dianchi, which are generally consistent with the respective industrial structure around Taihu and Dianchi.     

Nanosensors and nanobiosensors in food and agriculture

The food and agriculture sector controls the economic growth of a developing country. The food industries have practices of growing crops, raising livestock and sea foods, food processing and packaging, regulating production and distribution with quality and safety. The process control and monitoring quality are crucial steps. Here we review nanosensors and nanobiosensors as alternative of classical quantification methods. Nanoscale dimensions of metal nanoparticles, metal nanoclusters, metal oxide nanoparticles, metal and carbon quantum dots, graphene, carbon nanotubes, and nanocomposites expand the sensitivity by signal amplification and integrate several novel transduction principles such as enhanced electrochemical, optical, Raman, enhanced catalytic activity, and superparamagnetic properties into the nanosensors. The electrochemical nanosensors, optical nanosensors, electronic nose and electronic tongue, nanobarcode technology, and wireless nanosensors have revolutionized the sensing in food and agriculture sectors with multiplex and real-time sensing capabilities. Despite previous success stories of the remunerative health sector, the approaches are transferred subsequently to food and agriculture sector; with potential application in detection of food contaminants such as preservatives, antibiotics, heavy metal ions, toxins, microbial load, and pathogens along with the rapid monitoring of temperature, traceability, humidity, gas, and aroma of the food stuff.     

农田土壤重金属污染状况及修复技术研究

重金属污染因具有毒性、易通过食物链在植物,动物和人体内累积,对生态环境和人体健康构成严重威胁。随着工业快速发展、农药及化肥的广泛使用,农田土壤重金属污染越来越严重,研究农田土壤重金属污染现状及修复技术对农产品安全具有重要意义。综合国内外农田土壤重金属污染状况,农田土壤重金属污染主要来源于固体废弃物堆放及处置、工业废物大气沉降、污水农灌和农用物质的不合理施用。该文综述了国内外有关农田重金属污染土壤修复技术（物理修复、化学修复、生物修复、农业生态和联合修复）的研究进展,并针对各种修复方法,阐述了其原理、修复条件、应用实例及其优缺点,重点论述了植物修复的机理和应用,提出了草本与木本联合修复可有效提高农田土壤重金属复合污染的修复效率,为农田土壤土壤重金属复合污染修复提出了新的途径。最后在对已有研究分析的基础上,提出了联合修复技术（如生物联合技术、物理化学联合技术和物理化学-生物联合技术）可以在一定程度上克服使用单一修复手段存在的缺点,可提高复合污染的修复效率、降低修复成本,未来应深入探索联合修复技术间的相互作用机理,以期为农田土壤重金属综合治理与污染修复提供科学依据。     

生态城市建设与城市超循环体系的构建

生态城市的设计、建设和评价,应从人、社会、自然3个层次和城市的结构、功能、协调和目标4个方面来进行定位,最终达到完善结构、提升功能、增进协调、城市优美和谐的目标。城市超循环体系是生态城市社会结构的重要组成部分,城市超循环体系的具有企业、产业、城市、区域4个基本层次,其循环体系、模式、功能和目标均各不相同。生态城市建设与城市超循环体系构建具有在理念上的一致性、结构和功能上的嵌套性、目标和发展机制上的同一性,在更深层次上表现为城市或国家整体中不同民族、不同宗教、多元文化的生态意识在生态理念方面的协调性。     

Influence of lead on growth and nutrient accumulation in canola (Brassica napus L.) cultivars

Canola (Brassica napus L.) is commonly used as a hyper-accumulator for phytoextraction of heavy metals from soil and water. Like many other heavy metals, lead (Pb) contaminates soil, water and air and thus it is a great problem. This study was conducted to investigate toxic effects of Pb on growth and nutrient uptake in four canola cultivars. Each of four cultivars of canola (Con-II, Con-III, Legend and Shiralee) was subjected to four levels of Pb (0, 30, 60 and 90 mg Pb kg(-1) of soil) from lead chloride [PbCl2]. Due to Pb toxicity, plant growth was adversely affected and relatively a severe reduction in root biomass (45.7%) was recorded. The Pb accumulation increased both in shoot and root, the highest being in root. The uptake of different nutrients, i.e., N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu and Mn was reduced (38.4, 32.8, 33.1, 49.6, 7.78, 52.0, 42.6 and 45.9%, respectively) in the shoots and that of N, Fe, Zn, and Cu in the roots (48.5, 33.2, 24.3 and 44.8%, respectively) of all canola cultivars. The root K, P, Zn and Mn and shoot P, Mg and Fe contents were less affected, the concentration of Pb, Ca and Mg in roots of all cultivars. Among canola cultivars Con-II and Con-III performed better than Legend and Shiralee in terms of growth (26.03%) and nutrient accumulation. Overall, plant growth and nutrient accumulation in the canola cultivars was hampered due to the presence of Pb.     

我国环境化学研究的进展

本文综合介绍了二十年来我国环境化学研究的发展概况。在环境分析化学方面包括了环境分析监测方法、标准参考物质、环境分析方法、形态分析、采样技术与分析测试仪器化等方面。环境污染化学包括了有关大气、水体和土壤环境中化学问题的研究，着重对大气污染物表征、迁移和转化、化学模式和重金属、有机物的水环境化学、水环境中金属烷基化以及土壤中农药等环境化学研究。有关污染生态效应中的化学集中介绍了硒与地方病环境因素关系有     

江苏省夏季浮萍种类及其生长水环境调查

对江苏省多个县（市）分布有浮萍的工业区、生活区、农田水体进行调查与采样,观测各地浮萍种类及其生长水体的富营养化状况,探讨水体pH值,铵态氮、硝态氮、总氮、总磷含量与浮萍分布的关系。调查结果表明,浮萍适宜生长在静止的水体中,流动的河流中较为少见;此外,浮萍适宜生长在农田和生活区水体中,工业区附近样本数较少。江苏省夏季浮萍的主要品种为紫萍（Spirodelapolyrrhiza）、青萍（Lemmaminor）、芜萍（Wolffiaarrhiza）和少根紫萍（Spirodelaoligorrhiza）,调查期间未发现稀脉浮萍（Lemmaperpusilla）与品藻（Lemmatrisulca）。紫萍和青萍在所调查的每个采样点均有分布,其生长水体的pH值变化范围（4．5～7．5）较大。浮萍生长水环境的氮、磷养分浓度范围很广,铵态氮、硝态氮、总氮、总磷质量浓度范围分别为0～42、0．2—2．0、0．2～45和0．02～13mg·L-1,尚未发现浮萍分布与水体氮、磷含量之间的必然联系。工业区附近水体中常见紫萍与青萍以共生形式存在,偶尔还伴有芜萍。在利用浮萍去除水中氮、磷营养物质时,应优先考虑利用各地当季优势浮萍品种及不同品种浮萍的共生复合系统,保障浮萍的最大生长量以及对水体氮、磷的最大去除率。     

Interacting Effects of Phenotypic Plasticity and Evolution on Population Persistence in a Changing Climate

Abstract: Climate change affects individual organisms by altering development, physiology, behavior, and fitness, and populations by altering genetic and phenotypic composition, vital rates, and dynamics. We sought to clarify how selection, phenotypic plasticity, and demography are linked in the context of climate change. On the basis of theory and results of recent empirical studies of plants and animals, we believe the ecological and evolutionary issues relevant to population persistence as climate changes are the rate, type, magnitude, and spatial pattern of climate‐induced abiotic and biotic change; generation time and life history of the organism; extent and type of phenotypic plasticity; amount and distribution of adaptive genetic variation across space and time; dispersal potential; and size and connectivity of subpopulations. An understanding of limits to plasticity and evolutionary potential across traits, populations, and species and feedbacks between adaptive and demographic responses is lacking. Integrated knowledge of coupled ecological and evolutionary mechanisms will increase understanding of the resilience and probabilities of persistence of populations and species.     

长期不同施肥条件下红壤小麦和玉米季CO2、N2O排放特征

基于中国农业科学院红壤实验站红壤旱地小麦-玉米轮作长期定位试验,采用静态箱/气相色谱法,研究红壤旱地连续施肥16 a后,不同施肥条件下小麦季和玉米季土壤CO2和N2O的排放特征。结果表明,CO2和N2O排放具有明显的季节性,施肥对土壤CO2和N2O排放有明显影响,且有机肥的施用显著促进了土壤CO2和N2O排放。不施肥对照（CK）、氮磷配施（NP）、氮钾配施（NK）、氮磷钾配施（NPK）和有机无机肥配施（NPKM）处理小麦季和玉米季土壤CO2累积排放量分别为5 904、8 062、4 298、9 235、14 098和4 708、7 530、5 435、7 089、15 472 kg.hm-2,土壤N2O累积排放量分别为0.34、0.63、0.44、0.62、1.00和0.25、0.39、0.35、0.52、1.73 kg.hm-2,小麦休闲期土壤CO2和N2 O累积排放量平均占小麦生长季的63.52%和28.43%,玉米休闲季平均占玉米生长季的49.98%和32.72%,说明休闲期土壤CO2和N2O累积排放量不容忽视。除玉米季NP、NK、NPK处理外,其他各处理小麦季和玉米季土壤CO2排放通量与5 cm深处土壤温度显著相关;而土壤N2O排放通量与土壤温度间均未表现出显著相关性;除NPKM处理外,其他各处理土壤CO2或N2O排放通量与土壤水分间相关性均未达显著水平。     

资源性供给紧约束条件下的消费理论研究述评

通过对国内外关于资源性供给紧约束条件下的消费理论研究的文献回顾,认为在资源环境问题日益严峻的现代社会,深入分析和探寻人与自然和谐共处的居民消费行为,客观上要求我国必须从伦理学、社会学、生态学和法学等多学科领域进行探讨和研究,而不能仅局限于经济学学科研究领域。加快构建生态文明型消费模式,不仅是目前消费理论创新研究的重要方向,而且也是我国贯彻落实科学发展观,实现人口消费与社会、经济、资源和环境全面协调可持续发展的必然选择。     

Toxicology of arsenic in fish and aquatic systems

Arsenic (As) is found in waters such as seawater, warm springs, groundwater, rivers, and lakes. In aquatic environments, As occurs as a mixture of arsenate and arsenite, with arsenate usually predominating. The unrestricted application of As pesticides, industrial activities, and mining operations has led to the global occurrence of soluble As above permissible levels of 0.010 mg/L. Continuous exposure of freshwater organisms including fish to low concentrations of As results in bioaccumulation, notably in liver and kidney. As a consequence As induces hyperglycemia, depletion of enzymatic activities, various acute and chronic toxicity, and immune system dysfunction. Here we review arsenic chemistry, the occurrence of arsenic in aquatic system, the transformation and metabolism of arsenic; arsenic bioaccumulation and bioconcentration; behavioral changes; and acute and other effects such as biochemical, immunotoxic, and cytogenotoxic effects on fish.     

土壤中金属的生物可给性及其动态变化的研究

土壤中金属的生物可给性常应用于人体健康风险评价,如能准确地判定土壤中金属在胃肠阶段不同时间的溶出动态,研究者就可以更好地分析其对人体的健康风险。本文采集5种不同地区的重金属污染的土壤,利用改进的PBET方法,分别在胃阶段的20、40、60、80 min以及小肠阶段的1、2、3、4、5 h时取样并分析,探究土壤中8种金属元素（As、Al、Cd、Cr、Fe、Mn、Ni、Pb）的生物可给性和溶出动态,探讨造成金属溶出动态变化的影响因素,对其溶出机理进行初步探究。研究结果表明,Fe、Al的生物可给性较低,并且在胃肠阶段差异较小。与胃阶段相比,土壤中Pb、Cd的生物可给性在小肠阶段明显降低,而As、Mn、Cr、Ni的生物可给性在小肠阶段均升高。升幅最大的两个元素是Ni、Cr,其小肠阶段的平均生物可给性分别升高61.4%、29.9%。在溶出量随时间变化方面,在胃阶段,假定1 h时溶出率为100%。20 min时,土壤中Fe、Ni的平均溶出率较低,分别为59.3%、56.8%,其他6种金属元素的平均溶出率在71.2%~79.5%。As、Cd、Pb的溶出速率是先快后慢,Cr和Ni的溶出速率是先慢后快,而Fe、Mn、Al的溶出速率基本保持不变。在小肠阶段,假定4 h时溶出率为100%。Al、As、Cd、Mn的溶出率基本不变。1 h时,土壤中Cr（土壤A除外）、Ni的平均溶出率最低,分别为31.5%、32.7%,而5 h时,Fe、Cr、Ni的溶出率还在升高。由此可见,土壤中不同金属元素的生物可给性以及溶出动态是有明显差异的。     

Ecotypes diversity in autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb): A single plant with multiple micronutrient genes

Elaeagnus umbellata, a member of the Elaeagnaceae family, is native to Pakistan, China, India, Korea, and Japan. It is found commonly at altitudes ranging from 1200 to 2100 m and thrives on eroded and degraded land due to its ability to fix nitrogen. The plant also grows under variable pH (4-8) and drought, and is used locally as fuel wood, fencing, fodder, basket making, and shelterbelts. The fruit of the plant is well known for its essential nutrients and medicinal compounds such as vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, carotenoids (lycopene), soluble solids, and sugars. Medicinally, it is widely believed to protect against myocardial infections, pulmonary infections, and various forms of cancers. Ten ecotypes from variable microclimatic conditions were investigated for their morphological, molecular and biochemical diversity improvement and commercialization purposes. Comparisons and disabilities indicated significant variability in terms of morphological (plant height, number of branches, thorn size and number, leaf area, fruit size, 100 fruit weight, and yield), molecular (SDS-PAGE), and micro- and macronutrient (vitamin C, Fe, mg, P, Na, K, essential oils, and sugar) bases among the ecotypes. This variability will be helpful in developing commercial varieties of the plant utilizing the conventional techniques of selection and hybridization for economic activities. The plant has ample quantities of multiple micronutrients, thus indicating their expression through a powerful promoter at one place (fruit mesocarp). Efforts to identify and isolate the micronutrient genes (vitamin A, C, E, and Fe), the deficiency of which causes malnutrition and disabilities within the population of developing countries. Micronutrient genes have also been initiated for their characterization and future transformation into staple food crops for stable bio-fortification.     

Partitioning of cadmium,copper, lead and zinc amongst above-ground parts of seed and grain crops grown in selected locations in the USA

The distribution of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in above-ground parts of corn, small grains and pulse crops was investigated. Sampled parts included grain or seed, leaves, stems, silk and husks of corn-ears, rachilla and chaff of small grains and pods of bean plants. The distribution of these elements was variable and reflected, primarily, their relative mobility between plant parts including transfer into the grain. Generally, Zn and Cu were preferentially transferred into the seed or grain, while Cd and Pb were selectively excluded from these organs. For example, the distribution pattern in ears of corn was: for Cd, husks > silk > grain; for Zn, silk > grain > husks. The selective transfer of Zn and Cu into seed or grain, in contrast to the restricted movement of Cd and Pb into these organs, may be the result of selective absorption of Zn and Cu over Cd and Pb by vascular transfer cells within the plant's reproductive tissues. The effect of soil type on Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn levels in cereal grain or pulse seed was small compared to the differences found in the concentrations of these elements between different plant organs. Thus, grain and seed crops serve as natural barriers to the movement of the potentially toxic heavy metals, Cd and Pb, into the animal/human food chain, minimising their transfer from soils while conserving Zn and Cu levels in edible portions of these crops.Soil Scientist, USDA, Soil Conservation Service, Retired.