Modelling trace metal partitioning in forest floors of northern soils near metal smelters

Trace metal (TM) mobility and toxicity varies with changing soil conditions. Geochemical models can account for the influence of soil characteristics on TM behaviour. We tested the effectiveness of the Stockholm humic model (SHM), and the NICA-Donnan model (NDM) to estimate partitioning coefficients (logKd) in 26 forest floor horizons of podzolic soils enriched in trace metals from deposition by metal smelters. We wanted to know if a consistent approach could be applied to model metal partitioning in forest floors without optimizing each individual soil. When optimized, the SHM reproduced the partitioning of Cd, Cu and Zn but not Pb. It was necessary to revise the affinity constants for the NDM to simultaneously simulate the partitioning of the four metals. Revised affinity constants for the NDM model based on a fixed definition of soil organic carbon, i.e., a fixed ratio of fulvic and humic acids per unit carbon, reproduced metal partitioning more effectively in an independent data set of 16 soils than the use of generic affinity constants available for these models. From the perspective of the applicability of these models to risk assessment, this result suggests geochemical models using affinity constants that have been verified and/or modified against multiple soils from a region can provide good estimates of metal partitioning on a regional scale.     

Environmental and health risk assessment of Pb,Zn, As and Sb in soccer field soils and sediments from mine tailings: solid speciation and bioaccessibility

Areas polluted by the persistent presence of metal(loid)s induce health problems, especially when recreational activities (on land or water) promote human exposure to the pollutants. This study focuses on one of the most encountered worldwide mining waste, i.e. those from the extraction of Pb–Zn–Ag. The representative Pb–Zn-rich tailing (about 64,100 m³) sampled is located near a soccer field and a famous river for fishing. The scientific interests is relative to: (1) mobility and bioaccessibility of metal(oid)s, (2) human risk assessments and (3) relationship between human risks and solid-bearing phases in the environment. Soccer field soils, tailings and sediments from the nearby river were sampled; moreover, metal(loid) speciation (from BCR experiments) and bioaccessibility were measured and solid speciation performed by X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy in order to highlight metal(loid) dispersion and impact. Results demonstrate that the soccer field is highly contaminated by Pb, Zn, As and Sb due primarily to waste runoff. In terms of risk assessment, Pb and As human bioaccessibility highlights the major health risk (48 and 22.5 % of human bioaccessibility, respectively). Since local populations are regularly in close contact with metal(loid)s, the health risk due to pollutant exposure needs to be reduced through sustainable waste disposal and the rehabilitation of polluted sites.     

Fate of metal-associated POM in a soil under arable land use contaminated by metallurgical fallout in northern France

Organic matter is a major metal-retaining constituent in soils. Among the diversity of organic components in soils, particulate organic matter (POM) accumulates large amounts of metals, but the fate of such metal-associated POM is unknown. We studied different POM size fractions and their corresponding mineral size-fractions isolated from the surface horizon of a soil affected by metallurgical fallout. Analyses of total and EDTA extractible metal contents performed on all size fractions demonstrated that with decreasing POM size, larger metal concentrations were observed but they were less extractable. Micromorphological study revealed the occurrence of opaque parts in decaying POM fragments and their individualization as fine, irregularly shaped opaque fragments in the soil matrix. This work suggested a mutual sequestration of metal pollutants and organic carbon as micro-meter sized, metal-enriched organic particles derived from POM, representing an original pathway for natural attenuation of risk related to metal contaminated soils.     

Ion activity and distribution of heavy metals in acid mine drainage polluted subtropical soils

The oxidative dissolution of mine wastes gives rise to acidic, metal-enriched mine drainage (AMD) and has typically posed an additional risk to the environment. The poly-metallic mine Dabaoshan in South China is an excellent test site to understand the processes affecting the surrounding polluted agricultural fields. Our objectives were firstly to investigate metal ion activity in soil solution, distribution in solid constituents, and spatial distribution in samples, secondly to determine dominant environment factors controlling metal activity in the long-term AMD-polluted subtropical soils. Soil Column Donnan Membrane Technology (SC-DMT) combined with sequential extraction shows that unusually large proportion of the metal ions are present as free ion in the soil solutions. The narrow range of low pH values prevents any pH effects during the binding onto oxides or organic matter. The differences in speciation of the soil solutions may explain the different soil degradation observed between paddy and non-paddy soils.     

Sorption of copper, zinc and lead on soil mineral phases

Soil mineral phases play a significant role in controlling heavy metal mobility in soils. The effective study of their relation needs the integrated use of several analytical methods. In this study, analytical electron microscopy analyses were combined with sequential chemical extractions on soils spiked with Cu, Zn and Pb. Our aims were to study the metal sorption capacity of soil mineral phases and the effect of presence of iron oxide and carbonate on this property of soil minerals. Copper and Pb were found to be characterized by higher and stronger sorption on the studied samples than Zn. Only the former two metals showed significant differences in their immobilized metal amounts on the studied samples and soil mineral particles. Highest metal amounts were sorbed on the swelling clay mineral particles (smectites and vermiculites), but iron-oxide phases may also have similar lead sorption capacity. Alkaline conditions due to the carbonate content of soils resulted both in increased sorption on the mineral particles for Cu and in enhanced role of precipitation for all the studied metals. On the other hand, the intimate association of phyllosilicates and iron resulted in significant increase in metal sorption capacity of the given particle. The results of sequential extractions could be successfully completed by the analytical electron microscopy analyses for studying the sorption capacity of discrete mineral particles. Their integrated use helps us in better understanding the heavy metal-mineral interactions in soils.     

Metal partitioning and uptake in central Ontario forests

Evaluation of the potential environmental risk posed by metals depends to a great extent on modeling the fate and mobility of metals with soil-solution partitioning coefficients (Kd). However, the effect of biological cycling on metal partitioning is rarely considered in standard risk assessments. We determined soil-solution partitioning coefficients for 5 metals (Cd, Zn, Pb, Co and Ni) at 46 forested sites that border the Precambrian Shield in central Ontario, where soil pHaq varied from 3.9 to 8.1. Foliage from the dominant tree species and forest floor samples were also collected from each site to compare their metal levels with Kd predictions. Analogous to other studies, log Kd values for all metals were predicted by empirical linear regression with soil pH (r2=0.66-0.72), demonstrating that metal partitioning between soil and soil solution can be reliably predicted for relatively unpolluted forest mineral soils by soil pH. In contrast, whereas the so-called bioavailable water-soluble metal fraction could be predicted from soil pH, metal concentrations in foliage and the forest floor at each site were not consistently related to pH. Risk assessment of metals should take into account the role of biota in metal cycling and partitioning in forests, particularly if metal bio-accumulation and chronic toxicity in the food chain, rather than metal mobility in soils, are of primary concern.     

Degradability of ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid (EDDS) in metal contaminated soils: implications for its use soil remediation

Previous research has identified ethylenediaminedisuccinate (EDDS) as a promising biodegradable alternative for persistent compounds such as EDTA for application in soil washing or enhanced phytoextraction of heavy metals. This study examines heavy metal mobilization in three polluted soils varying in soil composition, with specific attention for competitive behaviour for complexation between the various metals and major elements, such as Al, Fe, Mn, Ca and Mg. In addition, amendment biodegradability was compared between the different soil types. The selected soils included a moderately contaminated calcareous clayey soil, a dredged sediment derived surface soil with similar soil characteristics yet more heavily polluted with Cd, Cr and Zn, and a sandy soil moderately contaminated by historical smelter activity (atmospheric deposition). Biodegradability of EDDS in the three soils varied distinctly. This was mainly expressed in the duration of the lag phase prior to metal complex degradation, and not so much in the half life when degradation effectively did set in. Differences in the lag phase were attributed to differences in soil pollution. However, EDDS was fully degraded within a period of 54 d in all soils regardless of initial delay. Assessment of the cation mobilisation patterns in the three soils under study revealed that mainly Ca, Fe and Al can reduce effectiveness of heavy metal mobilisation by competition for complexation.     

Habitat type-based bioaccumulation and risk assessment of metal and As contamination in earthworms, beetles and woodlice

The present study investigated the contribution of environmental factors to the accumulation of As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in earthworms, beetles and woodlice, and framed within an exposure assessment of the European hedgehog. Soil and invertebrate samples were collected in three distinct habitat types. Results showed habitat-specific differences in soil and invertebrate metal concentrations and bioaccumulation factors when normalized to soil metal concentration. Further multiple regression analysis showed residual variability (habitat differences) in bioaccumulation that could not be fully explained by differences in soil metal contamination, pH or organic carbon (OC). Therefore, the study demonstrated that in bioaccumulation studies involving terrestrial invertebrates or in risk assessment of metals, it is not sufficient to differentiate habitat types on general soil characteristics such as pH and/or OC alone. Furthermore, simple generic soil risk assessments for Cd and Cu showed that risk characterization was more accurate when performed in a habitat-specific way.     

Integration of toxicological and chemical tools to assess the bioavailability of metals and energetic compounds in contaminated soils

Bioavailability is critical for understanding effects that might result from exposure of biota to contaminated soils. Soils from military range and training areas (RTAs) are contaminated principally by energetic materials (EM) and metals. Their chemical characteristics are relatively well known and toxicity assessment of soils from RTAs are in some cases available. However, bioavailability on these sites needs to be comprehensively characterized. A holistic approach to bioavailability, incorporating both chemical and earthworm toxicological indicators, was applied to soils from an anti-tank firing range at a Canadian Forces Base. Results showed that HMX and the metals Zn, Pb, Bi and Cd, though not consistently the prevailing toxicants, were the most accessible to earthworms. Some metals (notably Cu, Zn, Cr and Bi) were also accumulated in earthworm tissue but those were not necessarily expected given their bioaccessibility (i.e., the chemical availability of contaminants in the environment for the organisms) at the beginning of the exposure. The tested soils impaired earthworm reproduction and reduced adult growth. Measurement of selected sublethal parameters indicated that lysosomal integrity (determined as the neutral red retention time--NRRT) was decreased, while elevated superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity suggested that earthworms experienced oxidative stress. The correspondence between the NRRT and metal contamination pattern suggested that metals may be the main cause of lysosomal disruption in EM-contaminated soils. The approach to bioavailability appraisal adopted in this case appears to be a promising practice for site-specific assessment of contaminated land.     

Heavy metals in agricultural soils of the Pearl River Delta,South China

There is a growing public concern over the potential accumulation of heavy metals in agricultural soils in China owing to rapid urban and industrial development and increasing reliance on agrochemicals in the last several decades. Excessive accumulation of heavy metals in agricultural soils may not only result in environmental contamination, but elevated heavy metal uptake by crops may also affect food quality and safety. The present study is aimed at studying heavy metal concentrations of crop, paddy and natural soils in the Pearl River Delta, one of the most developed regions in China. In addition, some selected soil samples were analyzed for chemical partitioning of Co, Cu, Pb and Zn. The Pb isotopic composition of the extracted solutions was also determined. The analytical results indicated that the crop, paddy and natural soils in many sampling sites were enriched with Cd and Pb. Furthermore, heavy metal enrichment was most significant in the crop soils, which might be attributed to the use of agrochemicals. Flooding of the paddy soils and subsequent dissolution of Mn oxides may cause the loss of Cd and Co through leaching and percolation, resulting in low Cd and Co concentrations of the paddy soils. The chemical partitioning patterns of Pb, Zn and Cu indicated that Pb was largely associated with the Fe-Mn oxide and residual fractions, while Zn was predominantly found in the residual phase. A significant percent fraction of Cu was bound in the organic/sulphide and residual phases. Based on the 206Pb/207Pb ratios of the five fractions, it was evident that some of the soils were enriched with anthropogenic Pb, such as industrial and automobile Pb. The strong associations between anthropogenic Pb and the Fe-Mn oxide and organic/sulphide phases suggested that anthropogenic Pb was relatively stable after deposition in soils.     

Evaluation of metal mobility, plant availability and immobilization by chemical agents in a limed-silty soil

Metal-contaminated soils in the vicinity of industrial sites become of ever-increasing concern. Diagnostic criteria and ecological technologies for soil remediation should be calibrated for various soil conditions; actually, our knowledge of calcareous soil is poor. Silty soils near smelters at Evin (Pas de Calais, France) have been contaminated by non-ferrous metal fallout and regularly limed using foams. Therefore, the mobility, bioavailability, and potential phytotoxicity of Cd, Pb and Zn, were investigated using single soil extractions (i.e. water, 0.1 n Ca(NO(3))(2), and EDTA pH 7), and vegetation experiments, in parallel with a biological test based on (iso)-enzymes in leaves and roots, before and following soil treatment with chemical agents, i.e. Thomas basic slags (TBS), hydrous manganese oxide (HMO), steel shots (ST) and beringite. No visible toxicity symptoms developed on the above-ground parts of ryegrass, tobacco and bean plants grown in potted soil under controlled environmental conditions. Cd, Zn and Pb uptake resulted in high concentrations in the above-ground plant parts, but the enzyme capacities in leaves and roots, and the peroxidase pattern indicated that these metal concentrations were not phytotoxic for beans as test plants. The addition of chemical agents to the soil did not increase biomass production, but treatment with either HMO, ST or beringite markedly decreased the mobility of Cd, Zn and Pb. These agents were proven to be effective in mitigating the Cd uptake by plants. HMO and ST decreased either Pb or Zn uptake by ryegrass. TBS was effective in lowering Pb uptake by the same species. Beringite decreased Cd uptake by beans. If fallout could be restricted, the metal content of food crops in this area should be lowered by soil treatment. However, the differences in Cd uptake between plant species were not suppressed, regardless of the type of agents applied to the soil.     

Effects of soil properties on heavy metal accumulation in flowering Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L. ssp. chinensis var. utilis Tsen et Lee) in Pearl River Delta,China

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of soil properties on the heavy metal accumulation in flowering Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L. ssp. chinensis var. utilis Tsen et Lee) at the field scale. The concentrations of cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and chromium (Cr) in topsoil and vegetable samples from Nanhai district of Foshan city in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) were analyzed. The results showed that 56.5% of the soil samples exceeded the grade II of the Chinese Soil Environmental Quality Standard (GB 15618-1995) for Hg concentrations, while 8.70% and 17.4% of the vegetable samples exceeded the criteria of the Chinese Safety Qualification of Agricultural Products (GB 18406.1-2001) for Cd and Hg concentrations, respectively. The calculated bio-concentration factor (BCF; i.e., the ratio of the metal concentration in the edible parts of flowering Chinese cabbage to that in soil) values were ranked as: Cd (0.1415) > Cr (0.0061) > Hg (0.0012) (p < 0.01), which demonstrated that Cd was easier to be accumulated in the edible parts of flowering Chinese cabbage than Hg and Cr. Furthermore, the following relationships between (bio-concentration factor) BCF values (BCFs) and soil physicochemical properties were concluded from our results: i) the mean BCFs of coarse-textured soils were higher than those of fine-textured soils; ii) the BCFs decreased with increasing soil pH; iii) the soils with high organic matter(OM) and Cation exchange capacity (CEC) have low BCFs, resulting from their high sorption capacities for Cd, Hg, and Cr. The stepwise linear multiple regression analyses showed that total metal concentrations and available calcium in soils were two main factors controlling the accumulation of Cd, Hg, and Cr in the flowering Chinese cabbage.     

Effects of soil properties on heavy metal accumulation in flowering Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L. ssp. chinensis var. utilis Tsen et Lee) in Pearl River Delta, China

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of soil properties on the heavy metal accumulation in flowering Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L. ssp. chinensis var. utilis Tsen et Lee) at the field scale. The concentrations of cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and chromium (Cr) in topsoil and vegetable samples from Nanhai district of Foshan city in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) were analyzed. The results showed that 56.5% of the soil samples exceeded the grade II of the Chinese Soil Environmental Quality Standard (GB 15618-1995) for Hg concentrations, while 8.70% and 17.4% of the vegetable samples exceeded the criteria of the Chinese Safety Qualification of Agricultural Products (GB 18406.1-2001) for Cd and Hg concentrations, respectively. The calculated bio-concentration factor (BCF; i.e., the ratio of the metal concentration in the edible parts of flowering Chinese cabbage to that in soil) values were ranked as: Cd (0.1415) > Cr (0.0061) > Hg (0.0012) (p < 0.01), which demonstrated that Cd was easier to be accumulated in the edible parts of flowering Chinese cabbage than Hg and Cr. Furthermore, the following relationships between (bio-concentration factor) BCF values (BCFs) and soil physicochemical properties were concluded from our results: i) the mean BCFs of coarse-textured soils were higher than those of fine-textured soils; ii) the BCFs decreased with increasing soil pH; iii) the soils with high organic matter(OM) and Cation exchange capacity (CEC) have low BCFs, resulting from their high sorption capacities for Cd, Hg, and Cr. The stepwise linear multiple regression analyses showed that total metal concentrations and available calcium in soils were two main factors controlling the accumulation of Cd, Hg, and Cr in the flowering Chinese cabbage.     

Assessment of human health risks and pollution index for heavy metals in farmlands irrigated by effluents of stabilization ponds

Areas contaminated with heavy metals can pose major risks to human health and ecological environments. The aims of this study are to assess human health risk and pollution index for heavy metals in agricultural soils irrigated by effluents of stabilization ponds in Birjand, Iran. The results revealed that the levels of Cr, Mn, Zn, Fe, Cu, Cd, and Pb were in range of 70.3–149.65, 355–570, 31.15–98.45, 23,925–29,140, 22.75–25.95, 0.17–6.51, and 8.5–23.5 mg/kg in topsoils, respectively. Total hazard index values from heavy metals through three exposure routes for adults and children were 9.13E−01 and 1.10, respectively, indicating that there was non-carcinogenic risk for children. The total risk of carcinogenic metals (Cr, Cd, and Pb) through the three exposure routes for adults and children was 1.06E−04 and 9.76E−04, respectively, which indicates that the metals in the soil will not induce carcinogenic risks to these age groups. Pollution levels of heavy metals in soil samples including enrichment factor (EF), contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), and geo-accumulation index (Igeo) showed heavy metal contamination of agricultural soils. The results of the present study provide basic information about heavy metal contamination control and human health risk assessment management in the study area.     

Uptake of metals by food plants grown on soils 10 years after biosolids application

Potentially hazardous trace elements such as Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni and Zn are expected to accumulate in biosolids–amended soil and remain in the soil for a long period of time. In this research, uptake of metals by food plants including cabbage, carrot, lettuce and tomato grown on soils 10 years after biosolids application was studied. All the five metals were significantly accumulated in the biosolids-amended soils. The accumulation of metal in soil did not result in significant increase in concentrations of Cu, Cr and Ni in the edible plant tissues. However, the Cd and Zn concentrations of the edible tissues of plants harvested from the biosolids receiving soils were significantly enhanced in comparison with those of the unaffected soils. The plant uptake under Greenfield sandy loam soil was generally higher than those under the Domino clayey loam soil. The metal concentration of edible plant tissue exhibited increasing trends with respect to the concentrations of the ambulated metals. The extents of the increases were plant species dependent. The indigenous soil metals were absorbed by the plants in much higher rates than those of the biosolids–receiving soils. It appeared that the plant uptake of the indigenous soil-borne metal and the added biosolids-borne metals are independent of one another and mathematically are additive.     

Metal fractionation in soils and assessment of environmental contamination in Vallecamonica, Italy

Metal contamination was investigated in soils of the Vallecamonica, an area in the northern part of the Brescia province (Italy), where ferroalloy industries were active for a century until 2001. The extent in which emissions from ferroalloy plants affected metal concentration in soils is not known in this area. In this study, the geogenic and/or anthropogenic origin of metals in soils were estimated. A modified Community Bureau of Reference sequential chemical extraction method followed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) analyses were employed to evaluate the potential bioavailability of Al, Cd, Mn, Fe, Cr, Zn, and Pb in soils. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to assess the relationships among metal sources in soil samples from different locations. This approach allowed distinguishing of different loadings and mobility of metals in soils collected in different areas. Results showed high concentrations and readily extractability of Mn in the Vallecamonica soils, which may suggest potential bioavailability for organisms and may create an environmental risk and potential health risk of human exposure.     

Response of kidney bean to concentration and chemical form of cadmium, zinc, and lead in polluted soils

Seven soils which had been polluted with heavy metals from a zinc smelter were sequentially extracted so that Cd, Zn, and Pb could be partitioned into five operationally defined geochemical fractions: exchangeable, carbonate, Fe-Mn oxide, organic, and residual fractions. Kidney beans were planted in the soils to examine the effect of concentration and chemical form of the metals in soil on the growth and metal uptake of the plants. The growth of kidney bean was restricted in heavy metal polluted soils compared with controls. Metal concentration and metal uptake by plants were correlated. The highest relationship was found between amount of metal uptake and the metal concentration in exchangeable + carbonate forms. The uptake of metals was according to their solubility sequence, i.e. Cd > Zn > Pb. The uptake rate of exchangeable + carbonate forms was the same for the three elements.     

Recombinant luminescent bacterial sensors for the measurement of bioavailability of cadmium and lead in soils polluted by metal smelters

Environmental hazard of heavy metals in soils depends to a large extent on their bioavailability. The approach used in this study enables the determination of bioavailable metals in solid-phase samples. Two recombinant bacterial sensors, one responding specifically to cadmium and the other to lead and cadmium by increase of luminescence (firefly luciferase was used as a reporter) were used to determine the bioavailability of these metals in soil-water suspensions (a contact assay) and respective particle-free extracts. Fifty agricultural soils sampled near zinc and lead smelters in the Northern France containing up to (mg/kg) 20.1 of Cd, 1050 of Pb and 1390 of Zn were analysed. As the soil matrix interferes with the assay, recombinant luminescent control bacteria lacking the metal recognizing protein and corresponding promoter (thus, being not metal-inducible) but otherwise comparable to the sensor bacteria (the same host bacterium and plasmid encoding luciferase) were used in parallel to take into account the possible quenching and/or stimulating effects of the sample on the luminescence of the sensor bacteria. Both, chemical and sensor analysis showed that only microg/l levels of metals were extracted from the soil into the water phase (0.1% of the total Cd, 0.07% of Pb and 0.5% of Zn). However, 115-fold more Cd and 40-fold more Pb proved bioavailable if the sensor bacteria were incubated in soil suspensions (i.e., in the contact assay). The bioavailability of metals in different soils varied (depending probably on soil type) ranging from 0.5% to 56% for cadmium and from 0.2% to 8.6% for lead.     

Monometal and competitive adsorption of heavy metals by sewage sludge-amended soil

Sewage sludge-amended soils may alter their ability to adsorb heavy metals over time, due to the decomposition of sludge-borne organic matter. Thus, we studied Cd, Ni, and Zn adsorption by a sewage sludge-amended soil (Typic Xerofluvent) before and after one-year incubation in both monometal and competitive systems. In the monometal system, the order of decreasing sorption was Zn>Cd>Ni. Competition significantly reduced metal K(d), especially that of Cd which decreased by nearly 50%. Over the course of the incubation there was a 31% reduction of soil organic matter content. At the same time, in competitive systems Cd K(d) significantly decreased, while Zn K(d) significantly increased, and Ni K(d) remained unaffected. This study shows that sewage sludge-amended soils may change in their ability to sorb heavy metals over time at high metal concentrations. The data suggest that Cd is likely to be of most environmental significance in such soils, since it exhibited decreased sorption under competitive conditions and as the organic matter content of the soil was reduced. The potential for long-term release of metals should be considered in the risk assessment associated with sewage sludge addition to soils, particularly in climates where degradation of organic matter is likely to be enhanced.     

Chelate-induced phytoextraction of metal polluted soils with Brachiaria decumbens

Chelate-induced phytoextraction with high biomass plant species has been proposed for the clean-up of heavy metal polluted soils. In the current work, the effect of the application of two different chelating agents, i.e. EDTA and EDDS, on the metal phytoextraction capacity of Brachiaria decumbens was studied. Although EDTA was, in general, more effective in soil metal solubilization, EDDS, a chelate less harmful to the environment, was more efficient inducing metal accumulation in B. decumbens shoots than EDTA. Indeed, in a moderately heavy metal polluted soil, EDDS caused a 2.54, 2.74 and 4.30-fold increase in Cd, Zn, and Pb shoot metal concentration, respectively, as compared to control plants. In this same soil, EDTA caused a 1.77, 1.11 and 1.87-fold increase in Cd, Zn, and Pb shoot metal concentration, respectively, as compared to control plants. EDDS was also more effective than EDTA in stimulating the translocation of metals from roots to shoots. B. decumbens plants were able to grow in the metal polluted soils showing no visible symptoms of phytotoxicity, which suggests their metal tolerance. Finally, B. decumbens, a fast-growing, high biomass, aluminum tolerant plant species, that has a well-established agronomic system, fulfills most of the requirements for chemically-induced phytoextraction.