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Arsenic (As) is easily accumulated in wild Boletus. However, the accurate health risks and adverse effects of As on humans were largely unknown. In this study, we analyzed the total concentration, bioavailability, and speciation of As in dried wild boletus from some typical high geochemical background areas using an in vitro digestion/Caco-2 model. The health risk assessment, enterotoxicity, and risk prevention strategy after consumption of As-contaminated wild Boletus were further investigated. The results showed that the average concentration of As was 3.41-95.87 mg/kg dw, being 1.29-56.3 folds of the Chinese food safety standard limit. DMA and MMA were the dominant chemical forms in raw and cooked boletus, while their total (3.76-281 mg/kg) and bioaccessible (0.69-153 mg/kg) concentrations decreased to 0.05-9.27 mg/kg and 0.01-2.38 mg/kg after cooking. The EDI value of total As was higher than the WHO/FAO limit value, while the bioaccessible or bioavailable EDI suggested no health risks. However, the intestinal extracts of raw wild boletus triggered cytotoxicity, inflammation, cell apoptosis, and DNA damage in Caco-2 cells, indicating existing health risk assessment models based on total, bioaccessible, or bioavailable As may be not accurate enough. Given that, the bioavailability, species, and cytotoxicity should be systematically considered in accurate risk assessment. In addition, cooking mitigated the enterotoxicity along with decreasing the total and bioavailable DMA and MMA in wild boletus, suggesting that cooking could be a simple and effective way to decrease the health risks of consumption of As-contaminated wild boletus., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Microplastics exposure is a new human health crisis. Although progress in understanding health effects of microplastic exposure has been made, microplastic impacts on absorption of co-exposure toxic pollutants such as arsenic (As), i.e., oral bioavailability, remain unclear. Microplastic ingestion may interfere As biotransformation, gut microbiota, and/or gut metabolites, thereby affecting As oral bioavailability. Here, mice were exposed to arsenate (6 μg As g -1 ) alone and in combination with polyethylene particles of 30 and 200 μm (PE-30 and PE-200 having surface area of 2.17 × 10 3 and 3.23 × 10 2  cm 2  g -1 ) in diet (2, 20, and 200 μg PE g -1 ) to determine the influence of microplastic co-ingestion on arsenic (As) oral bioavailability. By determining the percentage of cumulative As consumption recovered in urine of mice, As oral bioavailability increased significantly (P < 0.05) from 72.0 ± 5.41% to 89.7 ± 6.33% with PE-30 at 200 μg PE g -1 rather than with PE-200 at 2, 20, and 200 μg PE g -1 (58.5 ± 19.0%, 72.3 ± 6.28%, and 69.2 ± 17.8%). Both PE-30 and PE-200 exerted limited effects on pre- and post-absorption As biotransformation in intestinal content, intestine tissue, feces, and urine. They affected gut microbiota dose-dependently, with lower exposure concentrations having more pronounced effects. Consistent with the PE-30-specific As oral bioavailability increase, PE exposure significantly up-regulated gut metabolite expression, and PE-30 exerted greater effects than PE-200, suggesting that gut metabolite changes may contribute to As oral bioavailability increase. This was supported by 1.58-4.07-fold higher As solubility in the presence of up-regulated metabolites (e.g., amino acid derivatives, organic acids, and pyrimidines and purines) in the intestinal tract assessed by an in vitro assay. Our results suggested that microplastic exposure especially smaller particles may exacerbate the oral bioavailability of As, providing a new angle to understand health effects of microplastics., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Arsenic-hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata is efficient in taking up arsenate (AsV) and arsenite (AsIII), however, their impacts on P. vittata growth and nutrient uptake remain unclear. The uptake of AsV and AsIII, their influences on nutrient uptake and plant biomass, and As speciation were investigated in P. vittata after exposing to 5 or 50 μM AsV or AsIII for 12 d under hydroponics. The results show that AsV uptake in P. vittata was 1.2 times more efficient than AsIII, corresponding to 1.7-2.1 fold greater biomass than the control at 50 μM As. While AsV was dominant in the roots at ∼60%, AsIII was more dominant in the fronds at ∼70% in all treatments. Macronutrients P, K, Ca, and S were increased by 118-185% at 50 μM As, with greater uptake of micronutrients Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn at 5 μM As. Further, positive correlations between P. vittata biomass and its As contents (r = 0.97), and P. vittata biomass and its S, Mg, P, or Ca contents (r = 0.70-0.98) were observed. Our results suggest that its increased nutrient uptake probably enhanced P. vittata growth under As exposure., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Abnormally high concentrations of metals including nickel (Ni) in soils result from high geochemical background (HB) or anthropogenic contamination (AC). Metal bioaccessibility in AC-soils has been extensively explored, but studies in HB-soils are limited. This study examined the Ni bioaccessibility in basalt and black shale derived HB-soils, with AC-soils and soils without contamination (CT) being used for comparison. Although HB- and AC-soils had similar Ni levels (123 ± 43.0 vs 155 ± 84.7 mg kg -1 ), their Ni bioaccessibility based on the gastric phase of the Solubility Bioaccessibility Research Consortium (SBRC) in vitro assay was different. Nickel bioaccessibility in HB-soils was 6.42 ± 3.78%, 2-times lower than the CT-soils (12.0 ± 9.71%) and 6-times lower than that in AC-soils (42.6 ± 16.3%). Based on the sequential extraction, a much higher residual Ni fractionation in HB-soils than that in CT- and AC-soils was observed (81.9 ± 9.52% vs 68.6 ± 9.46% and 38.7 ± 16.0%). Further, correlation analysis indicate that the available Ni (exchangeable + carbonate-bound + Fe/Mn hydroxide-bound) was highly correlated with Ni bioaccessibility, which was also related to the organic carbon content in soils. The difference in co-localization between Ni and other elements (Fe, Mn and Ca) from high-resolution NanoSIMS analysis provided additional explanation for Ni bioaccessibility. In short, based on the large difference in Ni bioaccessibility in geochemical background and anthropogenic contaminated soils, it is important to base contamination sources for proper risk assessment of Ni-contaminated soils., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Antimony (Sb) and arsenic (As) are chemical analogs, but their behaviors in plants are different. To investigate the Sb uptake, translocation and speciation in As-hyperaccumulator P. cretica, a hydroponic experiment was conducted. In this study, P. cretica was exposed to 0.2-strength Hoagland nutrient solution, which contained 0.5 or 5 mg/L antimonite (SbIII) or antimonate (SbV). After 14 d exposure, P. cretica took up 1.4-2.8 times more SbIII than SbV. Since P. cretica was unable to translocate Sb, its roots accumulated >97% Sb with the highest at 7965 mg/kg. In both SbIII and SbV treatments, SbIII was the predominant species in P. cretica, with 90-100% and 46-100% SbIII in the roots. As the first barrier against Sb to enter plant cells, more Sb was accumulated in cell wall than cytosol or organelles. The results suggest that P. cretica may detoxify Sb by reducing SbV to SbIII and immobilizing it in root cell walls. Besides, the presence of SbIII significantly reduced the concentrations of dissolved organic C including organic acids in P. cretica root exudates. Further, increasing Sb levels promoted P accumulation in the plant, especially in the fronds, which may help P. cretica growth. The information from this study shed light on metabolic transformation of Sb in As-hyperaccumulators P. cretica, which helps to better understand Sb uptake and detoxification by plants., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Arsenic (As) and copper (Cu) are common co-contaminates in soils. However, their interactive effects on their accumulation and distribution in As-hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata are poorly understood. A hydroponic experiment was conducted with As being 0, 5, or 50 μM and Cu being 0.32, 3.2, or 32 μM to evaluate their phytotoxicity, accumulation, and distribution in P. vittata. In addition, As and Cu uptake kinetics were examined using the Michaelis-Menten kinetics model. Total As and Cu concentrations in P. vittata were up to 487 and 1355 mg kg -1 . About 39-81% of the As was in the fronds compared to 0.6-18% for Cu. At 50 μM As, increasing Cu concentration from 0.32 to 32 μM increased root As while decreasing frond As concentrations, with the translocation factor (ratio of As in fronds to roots) being reduced from 4.0 to 0.31. In contrast, As did not affect Cu accumulation in P. vittata. Michaelis constant K m value for As was higher than that of Cu (6.49-24.9 vs. 0.43-3.36), consistent with higher Cu uptake than As. Besides, Cu reduced root K but increased P levels in the roots, whereas As increased the K and P concentrations in the fronds. Our results suggest that P. vittata accumulated more Cu than As in the roots, contributing to its low As translocation. As such, high levels of Cu are likely to reduce As uptake by P. vittata during phytoremediation of As-contaminated sites., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Sediment serves as a sink for metals, thus it is critical to assess its contamination and associated risk. A typical riparian wetland close to a Zn-smelting operation in karst areas in southwest China was investigated. Sediment and reed plant (Phragmites australis) samples from wet and dry seasons were analyzed for total As, Cu, and Zn concentrations. Metal pollution in the sediment was assessed based on geoaccumulation index (I geo ). Further, metals in the sediment were fractionated into exchangeable, water and acid-soluble, reducible, oxidizable, and residual fractions based on the BCR sequential extraction. The results showed that the As, Cu, and Zn concentrations in the sediment were significantly higher than the background values (740-4081, 96-228, and 869-3331 vs. 10, 22, and 70 mg kg -1 ). With the I geo being 10-17, the data indicate that the sediment was highly-polluted. While total As, Cu and Zn in the sediment increased from dry to wet season, their available concentrations decreased except Cu. With 62-94% of As, Cu, and Zn being in the residual fraction, metal availability in the sediment was low based on fractionation data. The data are consistent with low metal uptake by reed as their concentration ratios in plant roots to the sediment were 0.01-0.32. The results suggest that the riparian sediment was highly-polluted with As, Cu and Zn, but showing low metal availability and limited plant uptake., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Accumulation and oral bioavailability of nickel (Ni) were rarely assessed for staple crops grown in high geogenic Ni soils. To assess exposure risk of geogenic Ni, soil, wheat, and rice samples were collected from a naturally high background Ni area and measured for Ni oral relative bioavailability (RBA, relative to NiSO 4 ) using a newly developed mouse urinary Ni excretion bioassay. Results showed that soils were enriched with Ni (80.5 ± 23.0 mg kg -1 , n = 58), while high Ni contents were observed in rice (2.66 ± 1.46 mg kg -1 ) and wheat (1.32 ± 0.78 mg kg -1 ) grains, with rice containing ∼2-fold higher Ni content than wheat. Ni-RBA was low in soil (14.8 ± 7.79%, n = 18), but high in wheat and rice with rice Ni-RBA (85.9 ± 19.1%, n = 9) being ∼2-fold higher than wheat (46.1 ± 21.2%, n = 16). A negative correlation (r = 0.61) was observed between Ni-RBA and iron content in rice and wheat, suggesting the low iron status of rice drives its high Ni bioavailability. The higher Ni accumulation and bioavailability for rice highlights that rice consumption was a more important contributor to daily Ni intake compared to wheat, while Ni intake from direct soil ingestion was negligible. This study suggests a potential health risk of staple crops especially rice when grown in high geogenic Ni areas., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors of the manuscript “Geogenic nickel exposure from food consumption and soil ingestion: A bioavailability based assessment” declare that there was no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Soil contamination in urban environment by trace metals is of public concerns. For better risk assessment, it is important to determine their background concentrations in urban soils. For this study, we determined the background concentrations of 9 trace metals including As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn in 214 urban soils in Florida from two large cities (Orlando and Tampa) and 4 small cities (Clay County, Ocala, Pensacola and West Palm Beach). The objectives were to determine: 1) total concentrations of trace metals in urban soils in cities of different size; 2) compare background concentrations to Florida Soil Cleanup Target Levels (FSCTLs); and 3) determine their distribution and variability in urban soils via multivariate statistical analysis. Elemental concentrations in urban soils were variable, with Pb being the highest in 5 cities (165-552 mg kg -1 ) and Zn being the highest concentration in Tampa (1,000 mg kg -1 ). Besides, the As and Pb concentrations in some soils exceeded the FSCTL for residential sites at 2.1 mg kg -1 As and 400 mg kg -1 Pb. Among the cities, Clay County and Orlando had the lowest concentrations for most elements, with Cd, Co, and As being the lowest while Ba, Pb and Zn being the highest. Among all values, geometric means were the lowest while 95th percentile was the highest for all metals. Most 95th percentile values were 2-3 folds higher than the GM data, with Pb presenting the greatest difference, being 4 times greater than GM value (58.9 vs. 13.6 mg kg -1 ). Still they were lower than FSCTL, with As exceeding FSCTL for residential sites at 2.1 mg kg -1 . In addition, the linear discriminate analysis showed distinct separation among the cities: Ocala (Ba & Ni) and Pensacola (As & Pb) were distinctly different from each other and from other cities with higher metal concentrations. The large variations among elemental concentrations showed the importance to establish proper background concentrations of trace metals in urban soils., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Lead bioavailability in contaminated soils varies considerably depending on Pb speciation and sources of contamination. However, little information is available on bioavailability of Pb associated with different fractions. In this study, the Tessier sequential extraction was used to fractionate Pb in 3 contaminated soils to exchangeable (F1), carbonate-bound (F2), Fe/Mn oxides-bound (F3), organic-bound (F4), and residual fractions (F5). In addition, soil residues after F1-F2 extraction (F 345 ), F1-F3 extraction (F 45 ), and F1-F4 extraction (F 5 ) were measured for Pb relative bioavailability (RBA) using a mouse kidney model. Based on the mouse model, Pb-RBA in the soils was 44-93%, which decreased to 43-89%, 28-75%, and 15-68% in the F 345 , F 45 , and F 5 fractions, respectively. Based on Pb-RBA in the soil residues, Pb-RBA in different fractions was calculated based on a mass balance. The data showed that Pb-RBA was the highest (∼100%) in the exchangeable and carbonate fraction, and the lowest (15-68%) in the residual fraction. In addition, Pb in the first three fractions (F1-F3) contributed most (83-89%) to bioavailable Pb in contaminated soils. Our study shed light on oral bioavailability of Pb in contaminated soils of different fractions based on sequential extraction and provide important information for soil remediation., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest There is no conflict of interest from all authors., (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Lead (Pb) exposure is known to affect the health of children while soil Pb is an important contributor to human Pb exposure. To analyze the effects of both environmental and other factors, especially total and bioaccessible Pb in neighborhood soil, on school-aged urban children's blood lead level (BLL), 75 children (6-11 years old) were recruited from an industry city in eastern China for BLL measurement and questionnaire survey. Soil samples were collected from their living neighborhoods and measured for total and bioaccessible Pb. The mean BLL was 4.82 μg dL -1 , with 42 out of 75 children having BLL exceeding the international guideline of 5 μg dL -1 . Low Pb contamination was observed in soil with total Pb ranging from 12.5 to 271 mg kg -1 (mean 34.3 mg kg -1 ). Based on the in vitro Solubility Bioaccessibility Research Consortium (SBRC) gastric fluid extraction, bioaccessible Pb in soil ranged from 0.40 to 79.1 mg kg -1 (mean 7.58 mg kg -1 ) with Pb bioaccessibility ranging from 1.74 to 68.1 (mean 19.9%). When BLL was correlated with total Pb in soil, insignificant linear relationship was observed (P > 0.05, correlation coefficient 95%CI = -0.047-0.40, R 2  = 0.07). However, when BLL was correlated with soil bioaccessible Pb or Pb bioaccessibility, much stronger linear relationships were observed (P < 0.01, correlation coefficient 95%CI = 0.28-0.64, R 2  = 0.16-0.20), suggesting that bioaccessible Pb was a much stronger predictor of BLL. In addition, strong associations were also observed between BLL and social factors such as house decoration, residence time, and personal habits, suggesting that both soil Pb contamination and social factors play important roles in elevating BLL for city children., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Urbanization and industrialization have elevated metal concentrations in soils. However, systematic investigation on their availability in regional soils under industrial impacts is lacking. In this study, 230 paired soil-rice samples were collected from two areas in Southeast China, with low and high industrial impacts. Classic equilibrium-based CaCl 2 and EDTA extraction methods, and dynamic-based diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGT) technique were used to study metal availability in soils, with the results being compared with metal concentrations in soils and rice grains. Generally, Cd, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cr and Pb concentrations in soils exceeded the Chinese Soil Quality Standard (GB15618-2018), whereas only Cd and Ni in some rice grains exceeded the Chinese Safety Guidelines. CaCl 2 and EDTA extractions, DGT method and soil total metal concentrations provided good predication of grain Cd (R = 0.51-0.66, p < 0.01), whereas only CaCl 2 and DGT tests provided good predication of grain Ni (R = 0.36-0.47, p < 0.01). Overall, CaCl 2 extraction best predicted Cd and Ni accumulation in rice grains, explaining 66% of grain Cd and 47% of grain Ni. The extraction rate of available Cd was higher than that of Ni, indicating higher Cd availability than Ni, consistent with the parameters (response time, T c , and desorption rate, k -1 ) from DIFS (DGT-induced flux in soils) model and bioconcentration factor values. This study showed that, at regional scale, CaCl 2 extraction method is efficient in predicting Cd and Ni accumulation in rice grains from contaminated soils., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The lack of efficient methods to treat As-rich biomass is a drawback for phytoremediation technology. In this study, we applied anaerobic digestion to reduce biomass and remove As from As-rich Pteris vittata biomass. P. vittata biomass including control (3.1 mg kg -1 As) and As-rich (2665 mg kg -1 As), together with positive and negative controls, was anaerobically digested at 35 °C for 35 d. Arsenic partitioning among gas, liquid and solid phases after anaerobic digestion was determined. Methane index potential assay was used to assess methane yields whereas liquid-displacement method was used to measure methane gas production. After 35 d, As partitioning in the liquid, solid and gas phases was 79, 30 and 1%, respectively. Besides, volatile solid was decreased from 91 to 12-17% total solid, while P. vittata biomass was decreased by 73-83%. Moreover, anaerobic digestion solubilized 76% As from P. vittata biomass, with 90% soluble As at 4.95 mg L -1 being recovered by As-Mg precipitation. Finally, methane production after 35 d was 197-212 L N CH 4 /kg volatile solid, showing slight As inhibition. Effective As removal from P. vittata biomass prior to disposal can improve the phytoremediation process., (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

The effects of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) on each other's uptake and oxidative stress in As-hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata were investigated. P. vittata plants were exposed to 50 μM As, Cd and/or Zn for 15 d in 0.2-strength Hoagland solution. When applied alone, P. vittata accumulated 185 mg kg -1 As, 164 mg kg -1 Cd and 327 mg kg -1 Zn in the fronds. While Cd and Zn did not impact each other's uptake, As affected Cd and Zn uptake. Whereas As decreased Zn uptake, Zn affected As speciation in P. vittata fronds, with more arsenate (AsV) than arsenite (AsIII) being present. At 50 μM As, 75 μM Zn increased As accumulation in P. vittata fronds by 10 folds to 2363 mg kg -1 compared to 50 μM Zn. Although AsV was the predominant As species in all tissues, Cd enhanced AsIII levels in the fronds but increased AsV in the roots. Co-exposure of Cd + Zn elevated oxidative stress basing on thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, H 2 O 2 content, Evans blue dye uptake, membrane injury index and reactive oxygen species (ROS) relative to single metal. By lowering Cd and Zn concentrations in P. vittata fronds, As reduced the associated stress comparative to Cd or Zn treatment. The results enhance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the interactions between As, Cd and Zn in As-hyperaccumulator P. vittata., (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

In corneal epithelium, tight junctions play a vital role in its barrier function. Human cornea is highly susceptible to damage by dust. Continued daily exposure to dust has been associated with increased risks of corneal injury. Studies demonstrated that water extract of dust induced cytotoxicity in human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs); however, its effects on corneal epithelial barrier function are unknown. In this study, we determined the concentrations of heavy metals in water extracts of dust, with office dust having higher concentrations of heavy metals than housedust, and Cu and Zn being highest among metals for both dust. Changes in barrier function and its associated mechanism after exposing HCECs to water extracts of dust at 48 μg/100 μ L for 7 d were evaluated. Water extracts of both dust caused decrease of TEER value (39-73%), down-regulation of gene expression related to tight junction and mucin (0.2-0.8 fold), and loss of ZO-1 immunoreactivity from cellular borders, with office dust having greater potential than housedust to disrupt corneal epithelial barrier function. Our data implied the importance to reduce heavy metals in dust to reduce their adverse impacts on human eyes., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Metal concentrations (As, Cd, Pb, Cr, Ba, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn) in conventional and organic produce were assessed, specifically, five most-consumed vegetables from the US including potato, lettuce, tomato, carrot and onion. They were from four representative supermarkets in a college town in Florida. All vegetables contained detectable metals, while As, Cd, Pb, Cr, and Ba are toxic metals, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn are nutrients for humans. The mean concentrations of As, Cd, Pb, Cr and Ba in five vegetables were 7.86, 9.17, 12.1, 44.8 and 410 μg/kg for organic produce, slightly lower than conventional produce at 7.29, 15.3, 17.9, 46.3 and 423 μg/kg. The mean concentrations of Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn in five vegetables were 3.86, 58.5, 632, and 2528 μg/kg for organic produce, comparable to conventional produce at 5.94, 68.2, 577, and 2354 μg/kg. For toxic metals, the order followed tomato < lettuce < onion < carrot < potato, with root vegetables being the highest. All metals in vegetables were lower than the allowable concentrations by FAO/WHO. Health risks associated with vegetable consumption based on daily intake and non-carcinogenic risk based on hazard quotient were lower than allowable limits. For the five most-consumed vegetables in the US, metal contents in conventional produce were slightly greater than organic produce, especially for Cd and Pb., (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

While phosphate (P) inhibits arsenic (As) uptake by plants, phytate increases As uptake by As-hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata. Here we tried to understand the underling mechanisms by investigating the roles of phytate in soil As desorption, P transport in P. vittata, short-term As uptake, and plant growth and As accumulation from soils. Sterile soil was used to exclude microbial degradation on phytate. Results showed that inorganic P released 3.3-fold more As than that of phytate from soil. However, P. vittata accumulated 2-2.5 fold more As from soils with phytate than that in control and P treatment. In addition, different from P suppression on As uptake, solution uptake experiment showed that As uptake in phytate treatment was comparable to that of control under 0.1-7.5 μM As after 1-24 h. Moreover, responding to phytate, P. vittata P transporter PvPht1;3 increased by 3-fold while PvPht1;1 decreased by 65%. The data suggested that phytate upregulated PvPht1;3, thereby contributing to As uptake in P. vittata. Our results showed that, though with lower As release from soil compared to P, phytate induced more As uptake and better growth in P. vittata by upregulating P transporters., (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Even though the Amazon region is widely studied, there is still a gap regarding Cr exposure and its risk to human health. The objectives of this study were to 1) determine Cr concentrations in seven chemical fractions and 6 particle sizes in Amazon soils, 2) quantify hexavalent Cr (CrVI) concentrations using an alkaline extraction, 3) determine the oral and lung bioaccessible Cr, and 4) assess Cr exposure risks based on total and bioaccessible Cr in soils. The total Cr in both A (0-20 cm) and B (80-100 cm) horizons was high at 2346 and 1864 mg kg -1 . However, sequential extraction indicated that available Cr fraction was low compared to total Cr, with Cr in the residual fraction being the highest (74-76%). There was little difference in total Cr concentrations among particle sizes. Hexavalent Cr concentration was also low, averaging 0.72 and 2.05 mg kg -1 in A and B horizon. In addition, both gastrointestinal (21-22 mg kg -1 ) and lung (0.95-1.25 mg kg -1 ) bioaccessible Cr were low (<1.2%). The low bioavailability of soil Cr and its uniform distribution in different particle sizes indicated that Cr was probably of geogenic origin. Exposure based on total Cr resulted in daily intake > the oral reference dose for children, but not when using CrVI or bioaccessible Cr. The data indicated that it is important to consider both Cr speciation and bioaccessibility when evaluating risk from Cr in Amazon soils., (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Traditional tea (Camellia sinensis) and herbal tea are being consumed across the world. However, long term consumption of tea can increase the chances of fluorosis owing to the presence of fluoride (F) in teas. Therefore, it is imperative to assess the health risk associated with tea consumption. The main objectives of this study were to: 1) estimate total F in 47 popular teas, including traditional and herbal teas and F concentrations in 1% (w/v) infusion of 5 min, and 2) assess the exposure risks of F from tea consumption in children and adults. The data showed that total F was the least in herbal teas (33-102 mg/kg) and their infusions (0.06-0.69 mg/L) compared to traditional teas (296-1112 mg/kg) and their infusions (1.47-6.9 mg/L). During tea infusion, 6-96% and 18-99% of the F was released into the water from herbal and traditional teas, respectively. Ten samples of traditional teas, including five green teas had chronic daily intake (CDI) values of F > 0.05 mg/d/kg bw, the stipulated permissible limits of F intake from all sources. Although the F from teas posed no immediate health hazards with hazard quotient <1, some tea samples could potentially contribute >4 mg F/d, thereby adding to the overall F burden. Therefore, together with F from food and water sources, daily F consumptions from teas might increase its health risks to humans. So, caution should be excised when drinking teas containing high F., (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP) is one of the most detected organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) in the environment, especially in indoor dust. Continuous daily exposure to TDCPP-containing dust may adversely impact human cornea. However, its detrimental effects on human corneal epithelium are largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the cell apoptosis in normal human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) after TDCPP exposure and elucidated the underlying molecular mechanisms. Our data indicated a dose-dependent decrease of cell viability after TDCPP exposure with LC 50 at 202 μg/mL. A concentration-dependent apoptotic sign was observed in HCECs after exposing to ≥2 μg/mL TDCPP. Endoplasmic reticulum stress induction was evidenced by up-regulation of its biomarker genes (ATF-4, CHOP, BiP, and XBP1). Furthermore, alternation of Bcl-2/Bax expression, mitochondrial membrane potential loss, cellular ATP content decrease, and caspase-3 and -9 activity increase were observed after exposing to 2 or 20 μg/mL TDCPP. Taken together, the data implicated the involvement of endoplasmic reticulum stress in TDCPP-induced HCEC apoptosis, probably mediated by mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Our findings showed TDCPP exposure induced toxicity to human cornea. Due to TDCPP's presence at high levels in indoor dust, further study is warranted to evaluate its health risk on human corneas., (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Arsenic (As) in soils is of major environmental concern due to its ubiquity and carcinogenicity. Pteris vittata (Chinese brake fern) is the first known As-hyperaccumulator, which is highly efficient in extracting As from soils and translocating it to the fronds, making it possible to be used for phytoremediation of As-contaminated soils. In addition, P. vittata has served as a model plant to study As metabolisms in plants. Based on the recent advances, we reviewed the mechanisms of efficient As solubilization and transformation in rhizosphere soils of P. vittata and effective As uptake, translocation and detoxification in P. vittata. We also provided future research perspectives to further improve As phytoremediation by P. vittata., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Phytate is abundant in soils, which is stable and unavailable for plant uptake. However, it occurs in root exudates of As-hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata (PV). To elucidate its effect on As uptake and growth, P. vittata were grown on agar media (63 μM P) containing 50 μM As and/or 50 or 500 μM phytate with non As-hyperaccumulator Pteris ensiformis (PE) as a congeneric control for 60 d. Phytate induced efficient As and P uptake, and enhanced growth in PV, but had little effects on PE. The As concentrations in PV fronds and roots were 157 and 31 mg kg -1 in As 50 +phytate 50 , 2.2- and 3.1-fold that of As 50 treatment. Phosphorus uptake by PV was reduced by 27% in As treatment than the control (P vs. P+As) but increased by 73% comparing phytate 500 to phytate 500 +As, indicating that PV effectively took up P from phytate. Neither As nor phytate affected Fe accumulation in PV, but phytate reduced root Fe concentration in PE (46-56%). As such, the increased As and P and the unsuppressed Fe uptake in PV probably promoted PV growth. Thus, supplying phytate to As-contaminated soils may promote As uptake and growth in PV and its phytoremediation ability., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Arsenic (As) in soils is often adsorbed on Fe-(hydro)oxides surface, rendering them more resistant to dissolution, which is undesirable for phytoremediation of As-contaminated soils. Arsenic hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata prefers to grow in calcareous soils where available Fe and As are low. To elucidate its mechanisms of acquiring Fe and As from insoluble sources in soils, we investigated dissolution of goethite with pre-adsorbed arsenate (AsV; As-goethite) in presence of four organic ligands, including two root exudates (oxalate and phytate, dominant in P. vittata) and two microbial siderophores (PG12-siderophore and desferrioxamine B). Their presence increased As solubilization from As-goethite from 0.03 to 0.27-5.33 mg L -1 compared to the control. The siderophore/phytate bi-ligand treatment released 7.42 mg L -1 soluble Fe, which was 1.2-fold that of the sum of siderophore and phytate, showing a synergy in promoting As-goethite dissolution. In the ligand-mineral-plant system, siderophore/phytate was most effective in releasing As and Fe from As-goethite. Moreover, the continuous plant uptake induced more As-goethite dissolution. The continued release of As and Fe significantly enhanced their plant uptake (from 0.01 to 0.43 mg plant -1 As and 2.7-14.8 mg plant -1 Fe) and plant growth (from 1.2 to 3.1 g plant -1 fw) in P. vittata. Since microbial siderophores and root exudates often coexist in soil rhizosphere, their synergy in enhancing dissolution of insoluble As-Fe minerals may play an important role in efficient phytoremediation of As-contaminated soils., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Antimonite (SbIII) is transported into plants via aquaglyceroporin channels but it is unknown in As-hyperaccumulator Ptreis vittata (PV). We tested the effects of SbIII analogs (arsenite-AsIII, glycerol, silicic acid-Si, and, glucose), antimonate (SbV) analog (phosphate-P), and aquaglyceroporin transporter inhibitor (silver, Ag) on the uptake of SbIII or SbV by PV gametophytes. PV gametophytes were grown in 20% Hoagland solution containing 65 μM SbIII or SbV and increasing concentrations of analogs at 65-6500 μM for 2 h or 4 h under sterile condition. After exposing to 65 μM Sb for 2 h, PV accumulated 767 mg/kg Sb in SbIII treatment and 419 mg/kg in SbV treatment. SbIII uptake by PV gametophytes was not impacted by glycerol or AsIII nor aquaglyceroporin inhibitor Ag during 2 h exposure. While Si increased SbIII uptake and glucose decreased SbIII uptake by PV gametophytes, the impact disappeared during 4 h exposure. Under P-sufficient condition, P increased SbIII uptake and decreased SbV uptake during 2 h exposure, but the effect again disappeared after 4 h. After being P-starved for 2 weeks, P decreased SbIII with no effect on SbV uptake during 2 h exposure. Our results indicated that: 1) PV gametophytes could serve as an efficient model to study Sb uptake, and 2) unique SbIII uptake by PV may be related to its trait of As hyperaccumulation., (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

The impact of siderophore produced by arsenic-resistant bacterium Pseudomonas PG12 on FeAsO4 dissolution and plant growth were examined. Arsenic-hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata was grown for 7 d in 0.2-strength Fe-free Hoagland solution containing FeAsO4 mineral and PG12-siderophore or fungal-siderophore desferrioxamine B (DFOB). Standard siderophore assays indicated that PG12-siderophore was catecholate-type. PG12-siderophore was more effective in promoting FeAsO4 dissolution, and Fe and As plant uptake than DFOB. Media soluble Fe and As in PG12 treatment were 34.6 and 3.07 μM, 1.6- and 1.4-fold of that in DFOB. Plant Fe content increased from 2.93 to 6.24 g kg(-1) in the roots and As content increased from 14.3 to 78.5 mg kg(-1) in the fronds. Besides, P. vittata in PG12 treatment showed 2.6-times greater biomass than DFOB. While P. vittata fronds in PG12 treatment were dominated by AsIII, those in DFOB treatment were dominated by AsV (61-77%). This study showed that siderophore-producing arsenic-resistant rhizobacteria may have potential in enhancing phytoremediation of arsenic-contaminated soils., (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Arsenic (As) pollution in aquatic environment may adversely impact fish health by disrupting their thyroid hormone homeostasis. In this study, we explored the effect of short-term exposure of arsenite (AsIII) on thyroid endocrine system in zebrafish. We measured As concentrations, As speciation, and thyroid hormone thyroxine levels in whole zebrafish, oxidative stress (H2O2) and damage (MDA) in the liver, and gene transcription in hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis in the brain and liver tissues of zebrafish after exposing to different AsIII concentrations for 48 h. Result indicated that exposure to AsIII increased inorganic As in zebrafish to 0.46-0.72 mg kg(-1), induced oxidative stress with H2O2 being increased by 1.4-2.5 times and caused oxidative damage with MDA being augmented by 1.6 times. AsIII exposure increased thyroxine levels by 1.3-1.4 times and modulated gene transcription in HPT axis. Our study showed AsIII caused oxidative damage, affected thyroid endocrine system and altered gene transcription in HPT axis in zebrafish., (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

A total of 45 children's toys and jewelry were tested for total and bioaccessible metal concentrations. Total As, Cd, Sb, Cr, Ni, and Pb concentrations were 0.22-19, 0.01-139, 0.1-189, 0.06-846, 0.14-2894 and 0.08-860,000 mg kg(-1). Metallic products had the highest concentrations, with 3-7 out of 13 samples exceeding the European Union safety limit for Cd, Pb, Cr, or Ni. However, assessment based on hazard index >1 and bioaccessible metal showed different trends. Under saliva mobilization or gastric ingestion, 11 out of 45 samples showed HI >1 for As, Cd, Sb, Cr, or Ni. Pb with the highest total concentration showed HI <1 for all samples while Ni showed the most hazard with HI up to 113. Our data suggest the importance of using bioaccessibility to evaluate health hazard of metals in children's toys and jewelry, and besides Pb and Cd, As, Ni, Cr, and Sb in children's products also deserve attention., (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

We investigated the effects of chromate (CrVI) and phosphate (P) on their uptake and translocation in As-hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata (PV). Plants were exposed to 1) 0.10 mM CrVI and 0, 0.25, 1.25, or 2.50 mM P or 2) 0.25 mM P and 0, 0.50, 2.5 or 5.0 mM CrVI for 24 h in hydroponics. PV accumulated 2919 mg/kg Cr in the roots at CrVI₀.₁₀, and 5100 and 3500 mg/kg P in the fronds and roots at P₀.₂₅. When co-present, CrVI and P inhibited each other's uptake in PV. Increasing P concentrations reduced Cr root concentrations by 62-82% whereas increasing CrVI concentrations reduced frond P concentrations by 52-59% but increased root P concentrations by 11-15%. Chromate reduced P transport, with more P being accumulated in PV roots. Though CrVI was supplied, 64-78% and 92-93% CrIII were in PV fronds and roots. Based on X-ray diffraction, Cr₂O₃ was detected in the roots confirming CrVI reduction to CrIII by PV. In short, CrVI and P inhibited each other in uptake and translocation by PV, and CrVI reduction to CrIII in PV roots served as its detoxification mechanism. The finding helps to understand the interactions of P and Cr during their uptake in PV., (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Physiologically based in vitro methods have been developed to measure bioaccessibility of organic contaminants in soils. However, bioaccessibility of hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) can be underestimated by in vitro tests if gastrointestinal (GI) solution fails to provide sufficient sorption sink for HOCs. To circumvent this drawback, Tenax was included in GI solution as sorption sink to trap mobilized HOCs and maintain the desorption gradient between soil and GI solution. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were selected as target HOCs, and physiologically based extraction test (PBET) was selected as the in vitro method. Inclusion of Tenax in GI solution increased bioaccessibility of PAHs in five spiked soils from 8.25-20.8% to 55.7-65.9% and the bioaccessibility of PAHs in a field contaminated soil from 3.70-6.92% to 16.3-31.0%. Our results demonstrated the effectiveness of Tenax as sorption sink to enhance PAH mobilization in bioaccessibility measurement in soils., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

We investigated the effects of arsenic species on As accumulation, plant growth and rhizospheric changes in As-hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata (PV). PV was grown for 60-d in a soil spiked with 200 mg kg(-1) arsenate (AsV-soil) or arsenite (AsIII-soil). Diffusive gradients in thin-films technique (DGT) were used to monitor As uptake by PV. Interestingly AsIII-soil produced the highest PV biomass at 8.6 g plant(-1), 27% and 46% greater than AsV-soil and the control. Biomass increase was associated with As-induced P uptake by PV. Although AsIII was oxidized to AsV during the experiment, As species impacted As accumulation by PV, with 17.5% more As in AsIII-soil than AsV-soil (36 vs. 31 mg plant(-1)). As concentration in PV roots was 30% higher in AsV-soil whereas As concentration in PV fronds was 7.9% greater in AsIII-soil, suggesting more rapid translocation of AsIII than AsV. These findings were important to understand the mechanisms of As uptake, accumulation and translocation by PV., (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

We investigated effects of storage temperature and duration on release of antimony (Sb) and bisphenol A (BPA) from 16 brands of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) drinking water bottles in China. After 1-week storage, Sb release increased from 1.88-8.32 ng/L at 4 °C, to 2.10-18.4 ng/L at 25 °C and to 20.3-2604 ng/L at 70 °C. The corresponding releases for BPA were less at 0.26-18.7, 0.62-22.6, and 2.89-38.9 ng/L. Both Sb and BPA release increased with storage duration up to 4-week, but their releasing rates decreased with storage time, indicating that Sb and BPA release from PET bottles may become stable under long term storage. Human health risk was evaluated based on the worst case, i.e., storage at 70 °C for 4-week. Chronic daily intake (CDI) caused by BPA release was below USEPA regulation, Sb release in one brand exceeded USEPA regulated CDI (400 ng/kg bw/d) with values of 409 and 1430 ng/kg bw/d for adult and children., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Even though antimony (Sb) and arsenic (As) are chemical analogs, differences exist on how they are taken up and translocated in plants. We investigated 1) Sb uptake, efflux and speciation in arsenic hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata after 1 d exposure to 1.6 or 8 mg/L antimonite (SbIII) or antimonate (SbV), 2) Sb uptake by PV accessions from Florida, China, and Brazil after 7 d exposure to 8 mg/L SbIII, and 3) Sb uptake and oxidation by excised PV fronds after 1 d exposure to 8 mg/L SbIII or SbV. After 1 d exposure, P. vittata took 23-32 times more SbIII than SbV, with all Sb being accumulated in the roots with the highest at 4,192 mg/kg. When exposed to 8 mg/L SbV, 98% of Sb existed as SbV in the roots. In comparison, when exposed to 8 mg/L SbIII, 81% of the total Sb remained as SbIII and 26% of the total Sb was effluxed out into the media. The three PV accessions had a similar ability to accumulate Sb at 12,000 mg/kg in the roots, with >99% of total Sb in the roots. Excised PV fronds translocated SbV more efficiently from the petioles to pinnae than SbIII and were unable to oxidize SbIII. Overall, P. vittata displayed efficient root uptake and efflux of SbIII with limited ability to translocate and transform in the roots., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

We investigated effects of arsenate (AsV), chromate (CrVI) and sulfate on As and Cr uptake and translocation by arsenic hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata (PV), which was exposed to AsV, CrVI and sulfate at 0, 0.05, 0.25 or 1.25 mM for 2-wk in hydroponic system. PV was effective in accumulating large amounts of As (4598 and 1160 mg/kg in the fronds and roots at 0.05 mM AsV) and Cr (234 and 12,630 mg/kg in the fronds and roots at 0.05 mM CrVI). However, when co-present, AsV and CrVI acted as inhibitors, negatively impacting their accumulation in PV. Arsenic accumulation in the fronds was reduced by 92% and Cr by 26%, indicating reduced As and Cr translocation. However, addition of sulfate increased uptake and translocation of As by 26-28% and Cr by 1.63 fold. This experiment demonstrated that As and Cr inhibited each other in uptake and translocation by PV but sulfate enhanced As and Cr uptake and translocation by PV., (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Tree islands are habitat for wading birds and a characteristic landscape feature in the Everglades. A total of 93 surface soil and 3 soil core samples were collected from 7 degraded/ghost and 34 live tree islands. The mean Hg concentration in surface soils of ghost tree islands was low and similar to marsh soil. For live tree islands, Hg concentrations in the surface head region were considerably greater than those in mid and tail region, and marsh soils. Hg concentrations in bird guano (286 μg kg(-1)) were significantly higher than those in mammal droppings (105 μg kg(-1)) and plant leaves (53 μg kg(-1)). In addition, Hg concentrations and δ(15)N values displayed positive correlation in soils influenced by guano. During 1998-2010, estimated annual Hg deposition by guano was 148 μg m(-2) yr(-1) and ~8 times the atmospheric deposition., (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

AsIII uptake in living cells is through aquaglyceroporin transporters, but it is unknown in arsenic-hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata. We investigated the effects of AsIII analogs glycerol and antimonite (SbIII) at 0-100 mM and aquaporin inhibitor AgNO(3) at 0-0.1 mM on the uptake of 0.1 mM AsIII or AsV by P. vittata over 1-2 h. Glycerol or SbIII didn't impact AsIII or AsV uptake by P. vittata (p < 0.05), with As concentrations in the fronds and roots being 4.4-6.3 and 3.9-6.2 mg/kg. However, 0.01 mM AgNO(3) reduced As concentrations in the fronds and roots by 64% and 58%. Hence, AsIII uptake in P. vittata might be via an aquaporin transporter different from glycerol and SbIII transporters. Further as AsIII analogs and aquaporin inhibitor had no impact on AsV uptake, AsIII and AsV were likely taken up by different transporters in P. vittata. Our results imply a different AsIII transporter in P. vittata from other plants., (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

This experiment examined the effects of sulfate (S) and reduced glutathione (GSH) on arsenic uptake by arsenic hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata after exposing to arsenate (0, 15 or 30 mg As L(-1)) with sulfate (6.4, 12.8 or 25.6 mg S L(-1)) or GSH (0, 0.4 or 0.8 mM) for 2-wk. Total arsenic, S and GSH concentrations in plant biomass and arsenic speciation in the growth media and plant biomass were determined. While both S (18-85%) and GSH (77-89%) significantly increased arsenic uptake in P. vittata, GSH also increased arsenic translocation by 61-85% at 0.4 mM (p < 0.05). Sulfate and GSH did not impact plant biomass or arsenic speciation in the media and biomass. The S-induced arsenic accumulation by P. vittata was partially attributed to increased plant GSH (21-31%), an important non-enzymatic antioxidant countering oxidative stress. This experiment demonstrated that S and GSH can effectively enhance arsenic uptake and translocation by P. vittata., (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

This study investigated the effects of arsenic on the in vitro activities of the enzymes (nitrate reductase and nitrite reductase) involved in nitrate metabolism in the roots, rhizomes, and fronds of four-month old Pteris vittata (arsenic - hyperaccumulator) and Pteris ensiformis (non-arsenic-hyperaccumulator) plants. The arsenic treatments (0, 150, and 300 microM as sodium arsenate) in hydroponics had adverse effects on the root and frond dry weights, and this effect was more evident in P. ensiformis than in P. vittata. Nitrate reductase and nitrite reductase activities of arsenate-treated plants were reduced more in P. ensiformis than in P. vittata. This effect was accompanied by similar decreases in tissue NO(3)(-) concentrations. Therefore, this decrease is interpreted as being indirect, i.e., the consequence of the reduced NO(3)(-) uptake and translocation in the plants. The study shows the difference in the tolerance level of the two Pteris species with varying sensitivity to arsenic.

It is important to examine mechanisms of Pb and Cd sorption in soils to understand their bioavailability. The ability of three tropical soils to retain Pb, Cd, and Ca was evaluated. The objectives of this study were to (1) determine the extent to which soil sorption sites are metal specific, (2) investigate the nature of reactions between metals and soil surfaces, and (3) identify how metals compete for sorption sites when they are introduced to soils sequentially or concurrently. Lead was shown to be much less exchangeable than Cd and inhibited Cd sorption. Cadmium had little effect on Pb sorption, though both Ca and Cd inhibited the adsorption of Pb at exchange sites. Lead appears to more readily undergo inner-sphere surface complexation with soil surface functional groups than either Cd or Ca. Thus, regardless of when Pb is introduced to a soil, it should be less labile than Cd.

The effects of timing in phosphate application on plant growth and arsenic removal by arsenic hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata L. of different ages were evaluated. The hydroponic experiment consisted of three plant ages (A45d, A90d and A180d) and three P feeding regimens (P200+0, P134+66 and P66+134) growing for 45 d in 0.2-strength Hoagland-Arnon solution containing 145 microg L(-1) As. While all plants received 200 microM P, P was added in two phases: during acclimation and after arsenic exposure. High initial P-supply (P200+0) favored frond biomass production and plant P uptake, while split-P application (P134+66 and P66+134) favored plant root production. Single P addition favored arsenic accumulation in the roots while split-P addition increased frond arsenic accumulation. Young ferns (A45d) in treatment P134+66 were the most efficient in arsenic removal, reducing arsenic concentration to below 10 microg L(-1) in 35 d. The results indicated that the use of young ferns, coupled with feeding of low initial P or split-P application, increased the efficiency of arsenic removal by P. vittata.

This greenhouse experiment evaluated arsenic removal by Pteris vittata and its effects on arsenic redistribution in soils. P. vittata grew in six arsenic-contaminated soils and its fronds were harvested and analyzed for arsenic in October, 2003, April, 2004, and October, 2004. The soil arsenic was separated into five fractions via sequential extraction. The ferns grew well and took up arsenic from all soils. Fern biomass ranged from 24.8 to 33.5 g plant(-1) after 4 months of growth but was reduced in the subsequent harvests. The frond arsenic concentrations ranged from 66 to 6,151 mg kg(-1), 110 to 3,056 mg kg(-1), and 162 to 2,139 mg kg(-1) from the first, second and third harvest, respectively. P. vittata reduced soil arsenic by 6.4-13% after three harvests. Arsenic in the soils was primarily associated with amorphous hydrous oxides (40-59%), which contributed the most to arsenic taken up by P. vittata (45-72%). It is possible to use P. vittata to remediate arsenic-contaminated soils by repeatedly harvesting its fronds.

This study investigated phosphate-induced lead immobilization from different Pb minerals in soils under varying pHs. Four soils were used, including one Pb-contaminated soil (NC-Soil) and three soils spiked with litharge (PbO), cerrusite (PbCO3), or anglesite (PbSO4), referred to as PbO-soil, PbCO3-soil, and PbSO4-soil, respectively. The soils were equilibrated with KCl and Ca(H2PO4)(2).H2O under pH of 3-7. At low pH (3 and 5), Pb solubility followed PbO-soil>PbCO3-soil>PbSO4-soil; while at pH=7, it was PbSO4-soil>PbO-soil>PbCO3-soil. Phosphate decreased Pb dissolution time from >180 to <60 min and reduced soluble Pb by 67-100%. This was mostly via transformation of Pb minerals into chloropyromorphite [Pb(5)(PO(4))(3)Cl]. Our results indicated that P addition can effectively transform various Pb minerals into insoluble chloropyromorphite in soils. This transformation was more significant at acidic condition (e.g., pH

This study examined the effects of heavy metals and plant arsenic uptake on soil arsenic distribution. Chemical fractionation of an arsenic-contaminated soil spiked with 50 or 200mg kg(-1) Ni, Zn, Cd or Pb was performed before and after growing the arsenic hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata L for 8weeks using NH(4)Cl (water-soluble plus exchangeable, WE-As), NH(4)F (Al-As), NaOH (Fe-As), and H(2)SO(4) (Ca-As). Arsenic in the soil was present primarily as the recalcitrant forms with Ca-As being the dominant fraction (45%). Arsenic taken up by P. vittata was from all fractions though Ca-As contributed the most (51-71% reduction). After 8weeks of plant growth, the Al-As and Fe-As fractions were significantly (p<0.01) greater in the metal-spiked soils than the control, with changes in the WE-As fraction being significantly (p=0.007) correlated with plant arsenic removal. The plant's ability to solubilize soil arsenic from recalcitrant fractions may have enhanced its ability to hyperaccumulate arsenic.

This greenhouse experiment evaluated the influence of arsenic uptake by arsenic hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata L. and non-arsenic hyperaccumulator Nephrolepis exaltata L. on arsenic chemistry in bulk and rhizosphere soil. The plants were grown for 8 weeks in a rhizopot with a soil containing 105 mg kg(-1) arsenic. The soil arsenic was fractionated into five fractions with decreasing availability: non-specifically bound (N), specifically bound (S), amorphous hydrous-oxide bound (A), crystalline hydrous-oxide bound (C), and residual (R). P. vittata produced larger plant biomass (7.38 vs. 2.32 mg plant(-1)) and removed more arsenic (2.61 vs. 0.09 mg pot(-1) arsenic) than N. exaltata. Plant growth reduced water-soluble arsenic, and increased soil pH (P. vittata only) in the rhizosphere soil. P. vittata was more efficient than N. exaltata to access arsenic from all fractions (39-64% vs. 5-39% reduction). However, most of the arsenic taken up by both plants was from the A fraction (67-77%) in the rhizosphere soil, the most abundant (61.5%) instead of the most available (N fraction).

This study examined the roles of arsenic translocation and reduction, and P distribution in arsenic detoxification of Pteris vittata L. (Chinese Brake fern), an arsenic hyperaccumulator and Pteris ensiformis L. (Slender Brake fern), a non-arsenic hyperaccumulator. After growing in 20% Hoagland solution containing 0, 133 or 267 microM of sodium arsenate for 1, 5 or 10 d, the plants were separated into fronds, rhizomes, and roots. They were analyzed for biomass, and concentrations of arsenate (AsV), arsenite (AsIII) and phosphorus. Arsenic in the fronds of P. vittata was up to 20 times greater than that of P. ensiformis, yet showing no toxicity symptoms as did in P. ensiformis. While arsenic was concentrated primarily in the fronds of P. vittata as arsenite it was mainly concentrated in the roots of P. ensiformis as arsenate. Arsenic reduction in the plants took longer than 1-d. P. vittata maintained greater P in the roots while P. ensiformis in the fronds. The high arsenic tolerance of the hyperaccumulator P. vittata may be attributed to its ability to effectively reduce arsenate to arsenite in the fronds, translocate arsenic from the roots to fronds, and maintain a greater ratio of P/As in the roots.

Pteris vittata was the first terrestrial plant known to hyperaccumulate arsenic (As). However, it is unclear how As hyperaccumulation influences nutrient uptake by this plant. P. vittata fern was grown in soil spiked with 0-500 mg As kg(-1) in the greenhouse for 24 weeks. The concentrations of essential macro- (P, K, Ca, and Mg) and micro- (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, B and Mo) elements in the fronds of different age were examined. Both macro- and micronutrients in the fronds were found to be within the normal concentration ranges for non-hyperaccumulators. However, As hyperaccumulation did influence the elemental distribution among fronds of different age of P. vittata. Arsenic-induced P and K enhancements in the fronds contributed to the As-induced growth stimulation at low As levels. The frond P/As molar ratios of 1.0 can be used as the threshold value for normal growth of P. vittata. Potassium may function as a counter-cation for As in the fronds as shown by the As-induced K increases in the fronds. The present findings not only demonstrate that P. vittata has the ability to maintain adequate concentrations of essential nutrients while hyperaccumulating As from the soil, but also have implications for soil management (fertilization in particular) of P. vittata in As phytoextraction practice.

Leaching of arsenic (As) from chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated wood may elevate soil arsenic levels. Thus, an environmental concern arises regarding accumulation of As in vegetables grown in these soils. In this study, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate As accumulation by vegetables from the soils adjacent to the CCA-treated utility poles and fences and examine the effects of soil amendments on plant As accumulation. Carrot (Daucus carota L.) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) were grown for ten weeks in the soil with or without compost and phosphate amendments. As expected, elevated As concentrations were observed in the pole soil (43 mg kg(-1)) and in the fence soil (27 mg kg(-1)), resulting in enhanced As accumulation of 44 mg kg(-1) in carrot and 32 mg kg(-1) in lettuce. Addition of phosphate to soils increased As accumulation by 4.56-9.3 times for carrot and 2.45-10.1 for lettuce due to increased soil water-soluble As via replacement of arsenate by phosphate in soil. However, biosolid compost application significantly reduced plant As uptake by 79-86%, relative to the untreated soils. This suppression is possibly because of As adsorbed by biosolid organic mater, which reduced As phytoavailability. Fractionation analysis showed that biosolid decreased As in soil water-soluble, exchangeable, and carbonate fraction by 45%, whereas phosphate increased it up to 2.61 times, compared to the untreated soils. Our results indicate that growing vegetables in soils near CCA-treated wood may pose a risk of As exposure for humans. Compost amendment can reduce such a risk by reducing As accumulation by vegetables and can be an important strategy for remediating CCA-contaminated soils. Caution should be taken for phosphate application since it enhances As accumulation.

The effects of Cd, Ni, Pb, and Zn on arsenic accumulation by the arsenic hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata were investigated in a greenhouse study. P. vittata was grown for 8 weeks in an arsenic-contaminated soil (131 mg As kg(-1)), which was spiked with 50 or 200 mg kg(-1) Cd, Ni, Pb, or Zn (as nitrates). P. vittata was effective in taking up arsenic (up to 4100 mg kg(-1)) and transporting it to the fronds, but little of the metals. Arsenic bioconcentration factors ranged from 14 to 36 and transfer factors ranged from 16 to 56 in the presence of the metals, both of which were reduced with increasing metal concentration. Fern biomass increased as much as 12 times compared to the original dry weight after 8 weeks of growth (up to 19 g per plant). Greater concentrations of Cd, Ni, and Pb resulted in greater catalase activity in the plant. Most of the arsenic in the plant was present as arsenite, the reduced form, indicating little impact of the metals on plant arsenic reduction. This research demonstrates the capability of P. vittata in hyperaccumulating arsenic from soils in the presence of heavy metals., (Copyright 2004 Elsevier Ltd.)

Pteris vittata (Chinese brake fern) has potential for phytoremediation of As-contaminated sites. In this study, the synthesis of total thiols and acid-soluble thiols in P. vittata was investigated under arsenic exposure. The strong and positive correlation between As concentration and acid-soluble thiols in plant leaflets suggests that acid-soluble thiols may play a role in As detoxification. A major As-induced thiol was purified and characterized. A molecular ion (M + 1) of 540 m/z suggests that the thiol was a phytochelatin (PC) with two base units (PC(2)). However, the ratios of acid-soluble thiols to As in leaflets exposed to As ranged from 0.012 to 0.026, suggesting that only a very small part of As is complexed by PC(2). PCs could play a minor detoxification role in this hyperaccumulator. A PC-independent mechanism appears to be mainly involved in As tolerance, while PC-dependent detoxification seems to be a supplement.

The solid-liquid interface reaction between phosphate rock (PR) and metals (Pb, Cu, and Zn) was studied. Phosphate rock has the highest affinity for Pb, followed by Cu and Zn, with sorption capacities of 138, 114, and 83.2 mmol/kg PR, respectively. In the Pb-Cu-Zn ternary system, competitive metal sorption occurred with sorption capacity reduction of 15.2%, 48.3%, and 75.6% for Pb, Cu, and Zn, respectively compared to the mono-metal systems. A fractional factorial design showed the interfering effect in the order of Pb>Cu>Zn. Desorption of Cu and Zn was sensitive to pH change, increasing with pH decline, whereas Pb desorption was decreased with a strongly acidic TCLP extracting solution (pH = 2.93). The greatest stability of Pb retention by PR can be attributed to the formation of insoluble fluoropyromorphite [Pb(10)(PO(4))(6)F(2)], which was primarily responsible for Pb immobilization (up to 78.3%), with less contribution from the surface adsorption or complexation (21.7%), compared to 74.5% for Cu and 95.7% for Zn. Solution pH reduction during metal retention and flow calorimetry analysis both supported the hypothesis of retention of Pb, Cu, and Zn by surface adsorption or complexation. Flow calorimetry indicated that Pb and Cu adsorption onto PR was exothermic, while Zn sorption was endothermic. Our research demonstrated that PR can effectively remove Pb from solutions, even in the presence of other heavy metals (e.g. Cu, Zn).

Much research has focused on changes in solubility and mobility of trace metals in soils under incubation. In this experiment, changes in solubility and mobility of trace metals (Pb, Cu and As) and Fe in two contaminated soils from Tampa, Florida and Montreal, Canada were examined. Soils of 30 g were packed in columns and were incubated for 3-80 days under water-flooding incubation. Following incubation, metal concentrations in pore water (water soluble) and in 0.01 M CaCl2 leachates (exchangeable+water soluble) were determined. While both soils were contaminated with Pb (1600-2500 mg kg(-1)), Tampa soil was also contaminated with As (230 mg kg(-1)). Contrast to the low pH (3.8) of Tampa soil, Montreal soil had an alkaline pH of 7.7 and high Ca of 1.6%. Concentrations of Fe(II) increased with incubation time in the Tampa soil mainly due to reductive Fe dissolution, but decreased in the Montreal soil possibly due to formation of FeCO3. The inverse relationship between concentrations of Pb and Fe(II) in pore water coupled with the fact that Fe(II) concentrations were much greater than those of Pb in pore water may suggest the importance of Fe(II) in controlling Pb solubility in soils. However, changes in concentrations of Fe(II), Pb, Cu and As in pore water with incubation time were similar to those in leachate, i.e. water soluble metals were positively related to exchangeable metals in the two contaminated soils. This research suggests the importance of Fe in controlling metal solubility and mobility in soils under water-flooded incubation.