Effects of sepiolite on stabilization remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soil and its ecological evaluation

Stabilization in the remediation of heavy metal contaminated soils has been gaining prominence because of its cost-effectiveness and rapid implementation. In this study, microbial properties such as microbial community and enzyme activities, chemical properties such as soil pH and metal fraction, and heavy metal accumulation in spinach (Spinacia oleracea) were considered in assessing stabilization remediation effectiveness using sepiolite. Results showed that soil pH values increased with rising sepiolite concentration. Sequential extraction results indicated that the addition of sepiolite converted significant amounts of exchangeable fraction of Cd and Pb into residual form. Treatments of sepiolite were observed to reduce Cd and Pb translocation from the soil to the roots and shoots of spinach. Concentrations of Cd and Pb exhibited 12.6%–51.0% and 11.5%–46.0% reduction for the roots, respectively, and 0.9%–46.2% and 43.0%–65.8% reduction for the shoots, respectively, compared with the control group. Increase in fungi and actinomycete counts, as well as in catalase activities, indicated that soil metabolic recovery occurred after sepiolite treatments.     

低浓度Pb^2＋对Cd^2＋污染下冬小麦幼苗根微域土壤水解酶活性及与根微域土壤生化特征关系的影响

采用盆栽试验法探讨了Cd^2＋、低于国家“土壤环境质量标准”规定的II类土壤环境基准值300mg-kg^-1干土时的Pb^2＋与Cd^2＋复合处理对冬小麦幼苗根微域土壤磷酸酶、转化酶和脲酶活性及与根微域土壤微生物数量和生化特征关系的影响特征。结果表明：（1）Cd^2＋对冬小麦幼苗根微域土壤转化酶、脲酶和磷酸酶活性表现为显著抑制效应;而低浓度Pb^2＋主要表现为协同Cd抖污染抑制根微域土壤水解酶活性效应;（2）Cd^2＋处理下,磷酸酶活性与微域土壤有机质含量呈极显著正相关;转化酶活性与细菌、真菌和放线菌数量呈显著负相关,与有机质呈显著正相关;脲酶活性与细菌、真菌和放线菌数量及微生物量碳表现为极显著正相关;（3）Pb^2＋／cd^2＋处理下,碱性磷酸酶活性与微生物量碳表现为显著正相关;转化酶活性与全氮含量表现为显著负相关,与有机质含量呈极显著正相关;脲酶活性与全氮呈极显著正相关,与有机质为极显著负相关,总体来讲,Cd^2＋／Pb2＋与Cd^2＋处理之间酶活性与生化特征的关系存在明显差异;同时Pb^2＋／Cd^2＋处理下磷酸酶、转化酶和脲酶活性与土壤微生物数量之间的相关性特点与Cd^2＋处理下也明显不同。     

Tree species and mycorrhizal associations influence the magnitude of rhizosphere effects

Previous research on the effects of tree species on soil processes has focused primarily on the role of leaf litter inputs. We quantified the extent to which arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and ectomycorrhizal (ECM) tree species influence soil microbial activity and nutrient availability through rhizosphere effects. Rhizosphere soil, bulk soil, and fine roots were collected from 12 monospecifc plots (six AM and six ECM tree species) planted on a common soil at the Turkey Hill Plantations in Dryden, New York. Rhizosphere effects were estimated by the percentage difference between rhizosphere and bulk soil samples for several assays. Rhizosphere effects on soil microbes and their activities were significant for ECM species but in only a few cases for AM species. In AM tree species, microbial biomass, net N mineralization, and phosphatase enzyme activity in the rhizosphere were 10-12% greater than in bulk soil. In ECM tree species, rhizosphere effects for microbial biomass, C mineralization rates, net N mineralization, and phosphatase activity were 25-30% greater than bulk soil, and significantly greater than AM rhizosphere effects. The magnitude of rhizosphere effects was negatively correlated with the degree of mycorrhizal colonization in AM tree species (r = -0.83) and with fine root biomass (r = -0.88) in ECM tree species, suggesting that different factors influence rhizosphere effects in tree species forming different mycorrhizal associations. Rhizosphere effects on net N mineralization and phosphatase activity were also much greater in soils with pH < 4.3 for both AM and ECM tree species, suggesting that soil pH and its relation to nutrient availability may also influence the magnitude of rhizosphere effects. Our results support the idea that tree roots stimulate nutrient availability in the rhizosphere, and that systematic differences between AM and ECM may result in distinctive rhizosphere effects for C, N, and P cycling between AM and ECM tree species.     

鱼腥草对土壤中镉的富集及根系微生物的促进作用

通过采集自然条件的鱼腥草和未受污染的土壤,在实验室条件下培育,以及利用镉的筛选,培养出土壤菌悬液,研究了鱼腥草Huttuynia cordata对土壤中镉的富集作用,以及经过根系微生物处理后放线菌对富集后转移的促进作用。结果表明,根部经过微生物处理的鱼腥草地上部（土壤含镉200 mg·kg^-1）有最高的含镉浓度和最大的富集量,分别是是对照组的20倍和50倍。土壤含镉50 mg·kg^-1时,鱼腥草地上部与地下部镉富集量的比例是2.5,高于对照组（1.5）。而当土壤含镉200 mg.kg^-1时,经过处理的鱼腥草地上部与地下部镉含量之比是未经处理的2倍。所以,鱼腥草对土壤中的镉有很强的富集作用,且在根系微生物的促进下,地下部的镉能更有效地转移到地上部,大大加强植物的修复效率;且与其他的诸如添加化学螯合剂等方法相比,土壤根系微生物能更好地适应植物根系环境,更不会对土壤本身的微生态系统造成二次污染。所以研究根系环境中微生物、根系、土壤酶、金属离子等的相互影响关系,将是土壤重金属植物修复的另一重要领域。     

The uptake and translocation of selected elements by cole (Brassica) grown using oasis soils in pot experiments

Pot experiments were conducted on cole (Brassica) grown in soils jointly treated with traces of two heavy metals cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn). As the concentration of heavy metals in the soil increased, the uptake of these metals by the plants rose. However, the ratio of heavy metal concentration in soil to uptake by plants increased at a slower rate. Bioavailability of heavy metals considered between the roots and soil using non-linear regressions was shown to be statistically significant. Similarly, the bioavailability of these two heavy metals between leaves and roots using a linear regression was also statistically significant. The bioconcentration factors (BCFs) for Cd and Zn were 0.282 and 4.289, respectively. Significant variation of BCF with the heavy metal bioavailability in soil was noted from non-linear models. The transfer factors (TFs) were 4.49 for Cd and 1.39 for Zn. The Zn concentration in leaves under all treatments did not exceed threshold set standards, but Cd levels exceeded these standards when the concentration of Cd in the soil was more than 1.92 mg kg^?1 dry weight (dw). Data indicate that cole (Brassica) is not a suitable crop for oasis soils because of plant contamination with heavy metals, especially Cd.     

Plant diversity reduces the effect of multiple heavy metal pollution on soil enzyme activities and microbial community structure

It is unclear whether certain plant species and plant diversity could reduce the impacts of multiple heavy metal pollution on soil microbial structure and soil enzyme activities. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was used to analyze the genetic diversity and microbial similarity in planted and unplanted soil under combined cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) pollution. A metal hyperaccumulator, Brassica juncea, and a common plant, Festuca arundinacea Schreb, were used in this research. The results showed that microorganism quantity in planted soil significantly increased, compared with that in unplanted soil with Cd and Pb pollution. The order of microbial community sensitivity in response to Cd and Pb stress was as follows: actinomycetes>bacteria>fungi. Respiration, phosphatase, urease and dehydrogenase activity were significantly inhibited due to Cd and Pb stress. Compared with unplanted soil, planted soils have frequently been reported to have higher rates of microbial activity due to the presence of additional surfaces for microbial colonization and organic compounds released by the plant roots. Two coexisting plants could increase microbe population and the activity of phosphatases, dehydrogenases and, in particular, ureases. Soil enzyme activity was higher in B. juncea phytoremediated soil than in F. arundinacea planted soil in this study. Heavy metal pollution decreased the richness of the soil microbial community, but plant diversity increased DNA sequence diversity and maintained DNA sequence diversity at high levels. The genetic polymorphism under heavy metal stress was higher in B. juncea phytoremediated soil than in F. arundinacea planted soil.     

四种改良剂对Cu、Cd复合污染土壤中Cu、Cd形态和土壤酶活性的影响

以黑麦草（Lolium perenne L.）作为修复植物进行田间试验,研究了石灰、磷灰石、蒙脱石、凹凸棒石4种改良剂对铜镉复合污染土壤中Cu、Cd形态和土壤酶活性的影响。结果表明,改良剂提高了污染土壤pH,降低了土壤可交换态（EX）Cu、Cd含量;改良剂提高了土壤脲酶、酸性磷酸酶和过氧化氢酶活性,每种改良剂对土壤酶活性增加幅度随其添加剂量增加而增大;土壤酶活性与土壤EX态Cu、Cd含量呈显著或极显著负相关关系,与土壤pH呈显著或极显著正相关关系;高剂量石灰（石灰占污染土壤耕作层质量的0.4%）和高剂量磷灰石（磷灰石占污染土壤耕作层质量的2.32%）处理钝化污染土壤中Cu、Cd及提高土壤酶活性效果最好。     

恩诺沙星对土壤微生物群落代谢功能多样性的影响（Effects of Enrofloxacin on the Functional Diversity of Soil Microbial Communities）

为了评价恩诺沙星(Enrofloxacin)对土壤微生物群落的影响,借助BIOLOG检测法比较了不同浓度恩诺沙星影响下的土壤微生物的群落特征.结果表明,加药组土壤微生物的丰富度指数和多样性指数显著低于空白对照组,且药物浓度越高丰富度和多样性越小.用药后第3d、14d,恩诺沙星含量0.1～100μg·g-1使土壤微生物群落代谢功能多样性显著降低(p<0.05);第35d,恩诺沙星含量10～100μg·g-1使土壤微生物群落代谢功能多样性显著降低,随着药物作用的时间延长,药物含量0.01～1μg·g-1组土壤微生物群落代谢功能多样性与空白对照组之间的差异变小.     

铜陵矿集区土壤中污染元素对微生物特性的影响研究

通过铜陵矿集区土壤中重金属污染元素含量与土壤中微生物生物量之间的对应关系,研究其环境效应。采集深度为20cm的土样,分别制备不同微生物的培养基以期对土壤中的微生物进行分离计数,细菌和放线菌采用稀释平板涂布法计数,高铁还原菌采用最大或然数法计数。研究结果表明,铜陵矿集区土壤中As、Au、Cd、Zn、Cu、Pb元素含量与土壤中细菌、放线菌、高铁还原菌数量之间的相关关系为：As、Au、Zn、Cu与细菌和放线菌,Cd、Pb与放线菌的含量呈负相关关系,指示了土壤中高浓度污染元素对微生物的抑制作用;Cd、Pb与细菌,Cd、Zn与高铁还原菌的含量呈正相关关系,反映部分微生物受污染元素的胁迫已产生了耐受性;Au、Pb、As与高铁还原菌数量的关系不明显。通过实验数据发现,微生物在重金属含量高的区域和含量低的区域的数量下降了大约2～3个数量级,有些区域微生物数量下降了约50%。矿集区土壤中三种菌种对污染元素的敏感程度不同,其敏感程度依次是：放线菌〉细菌〉高铁还原菌。矿集区部分土壤中,细菌、高铁还原菌由于其本身的耐受性或由于受胁迫而产生了耐受性,对Cd、Zn、Pb等三种重金属污染元素的抗性水平较高,具有作为土壤重金属元素污染修复微生物菌种的潜力。     

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.     

超积累植物和化学改良剂联合修复锌镉污染土壤后的微生物特征

通过盆栽试验,观察分析不同的土壤改良配方对重金属超积累植物东南景天盆栽土壤中细菌、真菌和放线菌数量、Cmic及Nmic的影响,以此来筛选出最优的促进东南景天修复锌镉污染土壤的改良剂配方。结果显示:细菌、真菌和放线菌数量,与土壤Zn、Cd的去除率、东南景天植株干质量、Cmic及Cmic/Nmic两两之间都呈现极显著正相关关系(但Cmic/Nmic与真菌数量仅呈显著相关)。添加了土壤改良剂后,细菌、放线菌、真菌的数量都有不同程度的增加,其中以细菌数量的增加最为显著,放线菌次之,真菌则对各种土壤处理相对较不敏感;在各种土壤配方中,添加了6 g赤泥、15 g污泥和15 g沸石的T7处理最有利于各类土壤微生物的生长,微生物量碳达到345.64 mg.kg-1,与其它处理之间都达到显著差异。因此,可以利用土壤微生物作为污染土壤改良情况的生物指标。该研究为下阶段研究化学改良剂-植物-微生物修复技术奠定了基础。     

Effect of clay minerals on extractability of heavy metals and sewage sludge mineralization in soil

An incubation experiment lasting 111 d was carried out to study the effect of the addition of three clay minerals (Na-bentonite, Ca-bentonite, and zeolite) to soil derived from sewage sludge on water-extractable and exchangeable forms of four heavy metals (Zn, Cd, Cu, and Ni), as well as on soil organic matter mineralization, microbial biomass C and the release of inorganic N. The addition of clay minerals led to a significant decrease in water-extractable and exchangeable forms of heavy metals. The extent of decrease ranged from 14 to 75% for the water-extractable heavy metals and from 12 to 42% for the exchangeable form over the incubation time, as compared with untreated soil. The reduction in extractability of heavy metals was greater due to the addition of Na-bentonite and Ca-bentonite than that due to the addition of zeolite. Addition of clay minerals did not affect any of the following microbiological parameters in the soil: microbial biomass C, organic C (C_org) mineralization, and metabolic quotient (qCO₂), and release of inorganic N during the first 3 weeks of incubation. However, as the incubation period increased, these parameters were significantly increased by the addition of clay minerals, especially by the addition of Na-bentonite and Ca-bentonite. This result is explained by a strong reduction in extractability of heavy metals after the addition of Na-bentonite and Ca-bentonite.     

铅-苯并[a]芘复合污染在土壤-植物体系的归宿规律研究

通过室内盆栽试验研究了中、低浓度铅（Pb）和苯并[a]芘（B[a]p）复合污染在土壤-植物系统中的归宿规律和相互影响,以考查Pb-B[a]p复合污染的相互作用.采用4因素6水平均匀设计试验方案,w（Pb）范围为0～1 120 mg·kg^-1,w（B[a]p）范围为0～6.4 mg·kg^-1.结果表明,在非根际环境中,Pb的不同结合态未受到B[a]p的影响,而土壤中B[a]p的自然降解过程也未受到Pb的影响;在黑麦草根际环境中,Pb的可交换态和碳酸盐结合态以及Fe/Mn氧化物结合态含量与非根际土壤相比明显降低,有机物和硫化物结合态含量明显升高,这与黑麦草根际分泌物和植物根际的吸收作用有关;玉米和黑麦草地上部和根部Pb含量均与土壤中Pb总量之间呈显著正相关关系,与B[a]p含量间不存在显著相关性;在玉米和黑麦草根际环境中,B[a]p的降解速率比非根际土壤有明显提高,其中黑麦草的促降解作用强于玉米;Pb对玉米和黑麦草根际土壤中B[a]p的降解过程具有一定的抑制作用,这与根际环境对Pb的活化作用进而增加Pb对微生物有效性有关;Pb对植物根部吸附B[a]p的过程也有一定影响.总体而言,在根际和非根际条件下B[a]p与Pb的共存均未影响Pb的归宿,在非根际环境中Pb也未影响B[a]p的归宿,但在根际环境中Pb抑制了B[a]p在土壤中的降解及植物根部对B[a]p的吸收.     

Heavy-metal fractionation and distribution in soil profiles short-term-irrigated with sewage wastewater

Six soil profiles irrigated and non-irrigated with sewage wastewater were investigated for soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter (OM), and CaCO₃. The distributions and chemical fractions of Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb, and their lability were also studied. The results indicated that pH, EC, OM, and CaCO₃, as well as metal fractionation in soil profiles were affected by wastewater irrigation, especially in the surface layer. The surface layer (0-15 cm) irrigated with wastewater exhibited a 0.6 unit decrease in soil pH, a 40.6% decrease in CaCO₃, and a 200% increase in EC as compared with that of the non-irrigated soil. The soil OM increased from 0.04% to 0.35% in the surface layer. The irrigation of soil with wastewater resulted in transformation of metals from the carbonate fraction (CARB) towards the exchangeable (EXCH), Fe-Mn oxide (ERO), and organic (OM) fraction for Zn, towards the EXCH, the OM, and residual fraction for Cu, and towards the exchangeable (EXCH) fraction for Cd. It was concluded that the use of sewage wastewater led to salt accumulation and an increase in the readily labile fraction of Zn, Cu, and Cd in the surface layer. Therefore, this reason may limit the use of wastewater under arid and semi-arid conditions.     

外加锌在土壤中形态的研究

本文采用化学逐级提取法对吸附锌后的土壤分别提取了交换态、CaCO_3结合态、氧化物结合态和有机质结合态的锌量,并讨论pH、温度和溶液中锌离子浓度对不同形态锌分布的影响。实验结果表明:外加锌被石灰性土壤吸附后,高pH值(7.5)时形态分布为:CaCO_3结合态≥交换态>氧化物结合态>有机质结合态;低pH值(5.5)时则为:交换态>CaCO_3结合态>氧化物结合态>有机质结合态。各形态锌的分配系数还受到吸附时的温度和溶液中锌离子浓度的影响。     

磷对铝胁迫下荞麦根际土壤铝形态和酶活性的影响

采用土培法,以耐铝性明显差异的两个荞麦Fagopyrum esculentum基因型“江西养麦”(耐性)和“内蒙荞麦”(敏感)为材料,研究铝胁迫下磷对荞麦生长和根际土壤铝形态、土壤酶活性的影响.结果表明,0.4 g·kg~(-1)铝配施0.2 g·kg~(-1)磷的内蒙和江西荞麦根系生物量分别比不施磷组增加了67.9%和21.2%,磷能显著缓解铝对荞麦根系生长的抑制,提高根系生物量和根冠比.磷铝互作下根际土壤的交换态铝含量显著降低,毒性较小的吸附态羟基铝和络合态铝含量显著增加.根际土壤酶活性变化复杂,过氧化氢酶活性与磷质量分数呈正相关,w_p=0.2 g·kg~(-1)对铝胁迫下荞麦根际土壤转化酶活性最有利.说明施磷降低铝胁迫根际土壤的交换态铝含量,提高土壤过氧化氢酶活性,减缓铝毒对植株生长的抑制作用.     

Stabilization of Cd-, Pb-, Cu- and Zn-contaminated calcareous agricultural soil using red mud: a field experiment

Red mud (RM) was used to remediate heavy metal-contaminated soils. Experiments with two different dosages of RM added to soils were carried out in this study. It was found that soil pH increased 0.3 and 0.5 unit with the dosage of 3 and 5% (wt%), respectively. At the dosage of 5%, the highest stabilization efficiencies for Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn reached 67.95, 64.21, 43.73 and 63.73%, respectively. The addition of RM obviously transferred Cd from the exchangeable fraction to the residual fraction. Meanwhile, in comparison with the control (no RM added), it reduced 24.38, 49.20, 19.42 and 8.89% of Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn in wheat grains at the RM addition dosage of 5%, respectively. At the same time, the yield of wheat grains increased 17.81 and 24.66% at the RM addition dosage of 3 and 5%, respectively. Finally, the addition of RM did not change the soil bacterial community. These results indicate that RM has a great potential in stabilizing heavy metals in calcareous agricultural soils.

     

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.     

钾肥对小麦根际土壤镉的吸收及其植物毒性的影响

研究不同钾肥对Cd在根际土壤-植物系统中转移及植物有效性的影响可为农业生产提供依据。以潮褐土为供试土样,采用盆栽方法研究了氯化钾、硝酸钾、硫酸钾对小麦(Triticum aestivum L)根际环境镉的吸收转移及植物有效性的影响。结果表明,(1)KCl提高根际土中有效态Cd质量分数(wCd),K2SO4和KNO3降低根际土壤有效态wCd。(2)K2SO4处理下,小麦根wCd显著大于对照;随KNO3和KCl施入量的增加,小麦根中Cd含量逐渐升高。(3)相同处理三种钾肥比较小麦地上部干物重表现为:KNO3>KCL>K2SO4,根干物质量均低于对照。(4)钾肥的施入提高小麦体内CAT,POD酶活性。建议Cd污染土施用KNO3,尽量避免施用KCl和K2SO4。     

Distribution of heavy metals in soil and accumulation in plants at an agricultural area of Umudike,Nigeria

This study assessed the distribution of heavy metals in soil and their subsequent accumulation in plants at a site at Umudike, Nigeria, that had been contaminated by agrochemicals. Soil and plant samples were analysed for zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr) and cadmium (Cd). The highest concentrations of Zn (251.50 mg/kg) and Cd (61.33 mg/kg) were obtained at a soil depth of 0–10 cm. The highest concentrations of Zn (16.52 mg/kg), Cd (27.12 mg/kg) and Cr (164.07 mg/kg) were accumulated by Baphia nitida. The levels of Cd, Cr and Zn in soil were 27.97–61.33, 24.97–45.43 and 148.57–251.50 mg/kg, and their concentrations in B. nitida were 16.18–27.13, 97.99–164.07 and 0.10–16.52 mg/kg, respectively. There were significant correlations between Cd and Cr and Cd and Zn in soil, as well as between Cd and Cr in plants. The concentration of Cd in soil reflected a state of pollution relative to Dutch criteria for soil and the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission.