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Potential trace elements pollution in cities poses a threat to the environment and human health. Bio-availability affects toxicity levels of potential trace elementss on organisms. This study focused on exploring the relationship between soil, plant, and atmospheric dust pollution in Urumqi, a typical city in western China. It aims to help reduce pollution and protect residents' health. The following conclusions were drawn: 1) potential trace elementss like Cr, Pb, As, and Ni are more prevalent in atmospheric dust and soil than in plants. Chromium was in the first group, Cadmium and Mercury were in the second, and Plumb, Arsenic, and Nickel were in the third. Atmospheric dust and soil exhibit a significantly higher heavy metal content than plants. For example, The atmospheric dust summary Chromium content was up to 88 mg/kg. 2) Soil, atmospheric dust, and plants have the highest amount of residual form. Residual form had the highest percentage average of 53.3%, whereas Organic matter bound form had the lowest percentage of just 7.7%. The plants contained less residual heavy metal than the soil and atmospheric dust. 3) The correlation coefficient between the carbonated form content of Cd of soil and atmospheric dust is 0.95, which is closely related. Other potential trace elements show similar correlations in their bio-available contents in soil, plants, and atmospheric dust. This study suggests that in urban area, the focus should be on converting potential trace elements into residual form instead of increasing plants' absorption of potential trace elements. NOVELTY STATEMENT: The current research in China primarily examines heavy metal pollution in the atmosphere, soil, and plants individually. Although there is significant international research on heavy metal bio-availability in the environment, few studies have focused on the presence of heavy metals in soil, vegetation, and atmospheric dust. Therefore, this study focused on Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, a typical oasis city in the arid region. To understand the bio-availability and morphological characteristics of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Hg, Cr, As, Ni) in the soil-plant-atmosphere of its urban expressway. This study aims to establish a theoretical basis for understanding the pollution hazards caused by heavy metals in oasis cities. It will have practical significance in maintaining urban ecology, promoting sustainable development, and safeguarding citizens' health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a compilation of recent literature on bryophytes, specifically mosses and liverworts. The articles cover a range of topics including the analysis of heavy metals in moss samples, the development of procedures for in vitro production of moss species, the potential use of moss in air purification systems, and the bioaccumulation of heavy metals in mosses. Other articles discuss the diversity and distribution of mosses and liverworts in various regions, as well as their potential medicinal properties. The document provides a valuable resource for researchers studying bryophytes and their ecological and medicinal significance. [Extracted from the article]

This article provides information on the effect of exogenous additives on heavy metal passivation and nitrogen retention in pig manure composting. It highlights the potential risks of high levels of heavy metals in pig manure and the importance of composting in reducing heavy metal pollution. The article discusses various additives, including physical, chemical, and microbial, that can contribute to heavy metal passivation and nitrogen retention during composting. It also emphasizes the need for further research to validate the effectiveness of these additives and assess their impact on soil health and microorganisms. Additionally, a list of references is provided for library patrons to explore these topics further. [Extracted from the article]

Steppe peony (Paeonia tenuifolia L.) is a strictly protected herbaceous species in Serbia, yet its growing conditions, nutrient needs, and heavy metal status are under-researched. This research is vital for conservation, as it supports sustainable cultivation, genetic diversity, and habitat restoration. This study addresses the gap in understanding how climate and soil characteristics affect P. tenuifolia, particularly regarding nutrient availability and heavy metal accumulation. Despite its recognized medicinal value, insufficient data on environmental impacts limit effective conservation and cultivation strategies. Addressing this gap will help determine optimal growth conditions and ensure the species' survival and medicinal use. Data on P. tenuifolia natural habitats in Serbia were collected following the Descriptor List for medicinal plants. Field and laboratory analyses assessed climatic and soil characteristics, as well as macro- and microelement contents and heavy metals in soil and plant organs. In Serbia, P. tenuifolia thrives in a semi-arid steppe climate on light, sandy loam soils with a pH of 6.9–7.4. The soils are rich in humus (4.36–5.76%) and nitrogen (0.34–0.37%), but low in phosphorus (1.16–3.50 mg/100 g) and variable in potassium (12.5–52.4 mg/100 g). Soil microelements are abundant, and harmful heavy metals are below critical levels. Plant organs, including flowers, seeds, leaves, and stems, show high phosphorus and magnesium levels, while potassium, manganese, and copper are generally low. The levels of potentially harmful elements like cadmium and chromium are near the maximum-allowed limits, suggesting avoidance of highly acidic soils for the cultivation of P. tenuifolia. Among the examined soils, Arenic chernozem is recommended for preserving the species' natural resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug-Yugra, situated within Russia's Far North, has undergone substantial industrialization and economic development. However, it is confronted with considerable environmental challenges, notably soil contamination. This study examines the presence of heavy metals (lead, cadmium, copper and zinc) in medicinal and berry plants from the forest ecosystem of this region. The following plant species were analyzed: Hypericum perforatum, Rubus arcticus, Origanum vulgare and Thymus vulgaris. The samples were taken from both open ground and hydroponic cultivation under artificial lighting. The findings indicate that the levels of lead present in all samples remain below the permissible limit of 10 mg/kg. Cadmium levels exhibited variability, with hydroponically grown plants containing 0.01 to 0.5 mg/kg and open ground Hypericum and Rubus perforatum containing up to 0.8 mg/kg. The combination of hydroponic cultivation and specific lighting conditions has been demonstrated to reduce lead and cadmium accumulation by a minimum of 1.6 times in comparison to open ground cultivation. The copper content of the samples ranged from 3 to 8 mg/kg, while the zinc content was 1.2–1.5 times higher in the plants grown in the open compared to those grown hydroponically. Notwithstanding these variations, the heavy metal content of all plant samples remains below the threshold values, thus rendering them safe for harvesting and utilization. This research serves to illustrate the environmental impact of industrial activities and to identify hydroponics as a potential strategy for their mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was to determine the content of heavy metals in soil and, for the first time, in wild Cortaderia nitida, and to discuss its potential as a metal phytoremediator plant. We sampled sediments (bulk and rhizosphere) and C. nitida (roots and shoots) in three nearby spots with different land uses (urban, industrialized and agricultural) along the Chibunga river basin (Ecuador). We analyzed the physico-chemical parameters in soil and heavy metal contents in soil and plants. The agricultural sediments showed the highest conductivity and redox potential, but the lowest pH. Among all the metals analyzed in soil and plants, we only found significant values of Zn and Fe. We observed clear differences in patterns of Zn distribution throughout soil and plants among the three areas sampled, thus suggesting that soil properties played an important role in Zn compartmentalization. Also, C. nitida demonstrated effective Zn translocation from roots to shoots, especially in farmlands (translocation factors between 1.64 and 2.51). Together with the results obtained for other Cortaderia species in metal-polluted areas, this study proposes C. nitida as a candidate to further study its metal phytoremediation potential and encourages this research in heavy metal-enriched soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article introduces the Special Issue on horticultural production systems. Topics include the effects of abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, extreme temperatures, and heavy metal contamination on horticultural crops, recent advancements in understanding plant responses to these stresses, and innovative strategies for improving crop resilience through soil and water management, agronomic practices, and biostimulants.

Municipal solid waste composts (MSWC) are extensively utilized as organic soil conditioners and fertilizers in agricultural fields across many countries. However, the use of MSWC can lead to heavy metal pollution in soil and plants, which may adversely affect plant growth. This study examined the impact of MSWC on the heavy metal content in plants and soil across various pH levels. The experiment was conducted in a pot setting with three replications. The research findings indicated that MSWC application increased the levels of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in soils but had no significant effect on lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) levels. Additionally, increases were observed in the Cu, Zn, and Fe content in plants, while Pb and Ni content remained unchanged. Cu, Zn, and Fe are essential for plant growth, and their enhancement in both soil and plants is a direct result of their relatively high presence in the MSWC used. The soil-plant transfer coefficients show that the transfer of heavy metals from soil to plants is highest under acidic conditions, indicating that the heavy metal content in MSWC can vary depending on soil pH and application rate. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully analyze and evaluate the heavy metal contents of soil and compost samples before employing MSWC in agricultural fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the heavy metal enrichment and spatial distribution characteristics of plants around tailings ponds in typical karst areas, and to screen the dominant plant varieties. Method: The enrichment coefficient was calculated to determine the enrichment ability of different plants to different heavy metals. The spatial distribution model of plant heavy metals was established utilizing general Kriging interpolation and semi-variance function analysis using geographic information analysis software (GIS) . The Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated to analyze the correlation between various heavy metals in plants and soil pH value. Result: Among the 28 plants around the tailings pond, Peristrophe roxburghiana of Solanaceae, Gynura crepidioides of Compositae, and Boehmeria tricuspis of Nettle family had strong enrichment ability of Cd, and Cd pollution was serious in plants. Lyginodendron oldhamium Potonie of Blechnaceae, Bridelia insulana of Kuphorbiaceae had strong enrichment capacity for Pb. There was no enrichment of Cu and Zn in all plants. The spatial distribution model of heavy metals showed that Cd was mainly distributed in the south, southwest, southeast and northwest parts of the tailings pond. Pb is mainly distributed in the southeast, the stream under the dam, and the south. Cu was mainly distributed in the south, southwest and the stream direction under the dam. Zn is mainly distributed in the west, southwest, northwest and north. In the semi-variance model parameters, Cd and Zn were dominated by random errors, and the spatial correlation of each point was weak, while Pb and Cu were dominated by structural errors, and the spatial correlation was strong. The spatial variability and correlation of heavy metal content in plants were Zn

This study investigated heavy metal accumulation in the mangroves of Barangay Tacub, Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, Philippines, situated within a protected area. Recent developments raise concerns about potential heavy metal pollution impacting the local ecosystem. Despite known threats, no prior studies assessed this in Lanao del Norte's coastal areas. The transect-plot method was used to collect leaf and sediment samples for analysis using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Environmental parameters like water temperature were measured on-site. Results revealed higher lead (Pb) concentrations in sediments compared to leaves. Cadmium (Cd) was undetectable in both leaves and sediments. Pb concentrations were highest in Transect 3, closest to the estuary. While statistically insignificant, overall, sediments exhibited higher metal concentrations than leaves. These findings suggest potential for Pb accumulation in the Kauswagan mangroves, particularly near the estuary. Further studies with a larger sample size are recommended to confirm these results and assess potential ecological risks. Understanding heavy metal accumulation in this critical ecosystem is crucial for informing future conservation and management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytoremediation is one of the most suitable techniques for the remediation of heavy metals from polluted soils. The purpose of this paper is to determine the efficiency of several plants varieties for phytoremediation of soils contaminated with lead, iron and arsenic in the vicinity of the municipality of Probishtip. The research was done in the period from May to September 2023. During this period, representative soil samples were taken from several locations in the vicinity of Probishtip. These samples were subjected to laboratory testing to determine the concentration of the elements that compose it. After receiving the results, certain types of plants are planted in the soil samples. Тhe same soil samples are subjected to laboratory testing again after a certain period of time, sufficient for the plants to have an impact on the soil. The results of the soil analysis and risk assessment indicate the presence of heavy metal contamination in the soils surrounding Probishtip, especially in samples near Cranfield and the old tailings dump. The most frequently found metals include iron, lead, zinc, arsenic, copper, and chromium, all of which are the focus of our research. It can be inferred that the heavy metal content before planting the crops is higher than after planting, suggesting a process of soil remediation is underway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microorganisms in the soil that have been contaminated with heavy metals for a long-time exhibited resistance to heavy metals. In recent years, the use of resistant microbes and heavy metal-tolerant plants to repair heavy metal-contaminated soil has become an increasingly hot subject. In this study, heavy metal-tolerant bacteria ZG7 was isolated from the mining soils and injected into Bidens pilosa L. and Medicago sativa L.. The results revealed that: (1) Compared to the non-inoculated group, inoculation with ZG7 notably increased the dry weight and chlorophyll content in plants under heavy metal stress, as well as promoted the content of several types of antioxidant chemicals; (2) Combined remediation improved soil enzyme activities, with soil catalase, sucrase, and phosphatase activities remarkably increased by 136.06%, 124.17% and 180.14% in the ZG7- Bidens pilosa L.; And soil catalase, urease, and sucrase activities promoted by 68.07%, 130.08% and 239.79% in the ZG7- Medicago sativa L.; (3) The content of Pb and Zn in the ZG7- Medicago sativa L. combination soil were considerably lower (9.28% and 6.2%, respectively) than no strain group, but there was no substantial change in soil heavy metal content when combined with the Bidens pilosa L. remediation when compared to no strain group. In summary, the combination of strain ZG7 and plants had a good effect on the remediation of heavy metal contaminated soils, and ZG7- Medicago sativa L. had the best effect, which is a reliable technique for effective control of heavy metal pollution. This study provided theoretical support for microbial-phytoremediation joint remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As industrial and agricultural activities intensify and technology rapidly advances, soil pollution has escalated to alarming levels. The increasing contamination of agricultural areas and the crops cultivated therein has emerged as a significant contemporary issue. Phytoremediation, the use of plants to remove pollutants, is a promising method for mitigating soil heavy metal contamination. This study investigates the bioaccumulation capacity of purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.), a potential phytoremediator, in soils artificially contaminated with cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), and copper (Cu). The purslane was cultivated under controlled conditions with varying doses of Cd, Ni, and Cu. After 55 days, the plants were harvested and analysed for heavy metal concentrations in their roots, stems, and leaves. The results demonstrated a direct correlation between environmental heavy metal concentration and plant heavy metal content, with the most significant accumulation occurring in the roots. The leaf chlorophyll content was adversely affected by increased Cd, Ni, and Cu applications. The highest Cu, Ni, and Cd contents were found in the roots at 140 mg kg-1 Cu, 80 mg kg-1 Ni, and 20 mg kg-1 Cd applications, respectively. The bio-transfer coefficient (BTC), a measure of heavy metal transport from the root region to the leaves, was calculated. The BTC values ranged from 0.84-1.09 for Cu, 0.39-0.84 for Ni, and >1 for Cd at the Control and 5 mg Cd kg-1 treatments. These findings suggest that purslane has potential for phytoremediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils, although the bioaccumulation and bio-transfer of heavy metals are dependent on the specific metal and its concentration in the soil. The study also highlights the potential risks associated with the consumption of plants grown in heavy metal-contaminated soils, as heavy metals can accumulate in different plant tissues, potentially entering the food chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Tridax procumbens L. is a plant that grows abundantly in the Ie-Seu'um geothermal area in Aceh Province, Indonesia. The objective of this study is to determine metabolite compounds from Tridax procumbens plants in a geothermal area using qualitative and quantitative analyses. In addition, the contents of six heavy metals in plants and their toxicology were assessed using an in silico approach. METHODS: The ethanolic extract of Tridax procumbens was analyzed qualitatively using reagents to determine the contents of secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, steroids, triterpenoids, and saponins. In addition, quantitative analysis was conducted using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy to obtain the chromatograms and mass spectra of the metabolite compounds of the ethanolic extract of Tridax procumbens, which were used in computational toxicology analysis using a simplified molecular input system in a predictor server. Atomic absorption spectrometry was conducted to confirm the contents of six heavy metals harmful to medicinal plants. FINDINGS: The results showed that Tridax procumbens from the Ie-Seu'um geothermal area, Aceh, has secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, saponins, steroids, and tannins, with phytol from diterpenoid group having the highest content (32.72 percent). Toxicological analysis showed that the compounds in the ethanolic extract of Tridax procumbens were nontoxic or inactive in five toxicity parameters. The other results of the heavy metal analysis showed the dominance of chromium among the other six metals tested (copper, not detected; cadmium, 0.91 ± 0.03 milligram per kilogram; zinc, 3.50 ± 0.03 milligram per kilogram; iron, 4.65 ± 0.02 milligram per kilogram; lead, 6.42 ± 0.05 milligram per kilogram; and chromium, 13.81 ± 0.07 milligram per kilogram. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the unique secondary metabolite composition of Tridax procumbens under such extreme conditions and underscores the potential implications of heavy metal accumulation in plants in geothermal areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global industrial revolution has led to a substantial rise in heavy metal levels in the environment, posing a serious threat to nature. Plants synthesize phenolic compounds under stressful conditions, which serve as protective agents against oxidative stress. Basilicum polystachyon (L.) Moench is an herbaceous plant of the Lamiaceae family. Some species within this family are recognized for their capacity to remediate sites contaminated with heavy metals. In this study, the effects of mercury (II) chloride and lead (II) nitrate on the in vitro propagation of B. polystachyon were investigated. Shoot tips from in vitro plantlets were cultured in Murashige and Skoog's (MS) media with heavy metals ranging from 1 to 200 µM to induce abiotic stress and enhance the accumulation of phenolic compounds. After three weeks, MS medium with 1 µM of lead (II) supported the highest shoot multiplication, and the maximum number of roots per explant was found in 100 µM of lead (II), whereas a higher concentration of heavy metals inhibited shoot multiplication and root development. The plantlets were hardened in a greenhouse with a 96% field survival rate. Flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS) was used to detect heavy metal contents in plant biomass. At both 200 µM and 50 µM concentrations, the greatest accumulation of mercury (II) was observed in the roots (16.94 ± 0.44 µg/g) and shoots (17.71 ± 0.66 µg/g), respectively. Similarly, lead (II) showed the highest accumulation in roots (17.10 ± 0.54 µg/g) and shoots (7.78 ± 0.26 µg/g) at 200 µM and 50 µM exposures, respectively. Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) identified and quantified various phenolic compounds in B. polystachyon leaves, including gallic acid, caffeic acid, vanillic acid, p-coumaric acid, ellagic acid, rosmarinic acid, and trans-cinnamic acid. These compounds were found in different forms, such as free, esterified, and glycosylated. Mercury (II)-exposed plants exhibited elevated levels of vanillic acid (1959.1 ± 3.66 µg/g DW), ellagic acid (213.55 ± 2.11 µg/g DW), and rosmarinic acid (187.72 ± 1.22 µg/g DW). Conversely, lead (II)-exposed plants accumulated higher levels of caffeic acid (42.53±0.61 µg/g DW) and p-coumaric acid (8.04 ± 0.31 µg/g DW). Trans-cinnamic acid was the predominant phenolic compound in control plants, with a concentration of 207.74 ± 1.45 µg/g DW. These results suggest that sublethal doses of heavy metals can act as abiotic elicitors, enhancing the production of phenolic compounds in B. polystachyon. The present work has the potential to open up new commercial opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two aquatic floating plants of Lemnaceae species were selected, viz., Lemna gibba and Lemna minor to examine their potential to bioremediate toxic metals from polluted water of studied lake. Toxic metals chosen were cadmium, cobalt, copper, nickel, lead and zinc monitored in water, sediment and roots and leaves of the abovesaid plants. The quantity of toxic metals in water, sediment and the tissues of plants were exploited to evaluate the bioconcentration factor, transfer factor value and enrichment coefficient value. The strength and dangerous condition noted in the examined aquatic plants, the six toxic metals were arranged in the order of Zn > Pb > Cd > Cu > Ni > Co. Bioconcentration factor value lies 1.47 to 8.97 for Lemna gibba and 1.38 to 8.67 for Lemna minor. Thus, both these plants showed their broad range of tolerance to all the evaluated metals, which recommends the application of these plants for industrial scale of heavy metal removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metal pollution is one of the most important environmental problems nowadays, and studies on monitoring and reducing heavy metal pollution are among the popular and high-priority study subjects. It was stated that the most effective instrument in monitoring heavy metal pollution and reducing pollution is the plants. However, the heavy metal accumulation potential remarkably differs among the organs of plants. Within the scope of this study, the concentrations of Cu, Mn, and Al, which are among the most dangerous and important heavy metals for human health, in the soils in which forest tree species Pinus nigra Arnold., Pinus silvestris L., Fagus orientalis Libsky., and Abies nordmanniana subsp. bornmülle-riana Mattf. are grown and analyzed at different soil depths and in leaf, bark, wood, cone, and root organs. As a result, the highest concentrations were found in cone and bark for Cu, leaf for Mn, and root for Al. For this reason, among the elements examined here, it is estimated that Mn is taken into the plant body mainly from the air through leaves, and Al is mainly taken from the soil via roots. The results obtained here suggest that the transfer of all three elements between organs was very limited and that species utilize elements in the soil at different levels. Study results might provide important information about which species can be used in reducing heavy metal pollution in which environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indigenous plants growing in mining spoils for phytoremediation have attracted great interest. To search the suitable plants, six plant species popular in the mine slag heaps of Gejiu City were collected and metal concentrations in plants and rhizosphere soils were analyzed. Results showed that the soils were greatly influenced by mine activities and heavy metal contents in plants were dependent upon those in the rhizosphere soils. However, the adaptation strategies varied among them. Bothriochloa ischcemum (Linn.) Keng and Equisetum ramosissimum Desf. had the Cr bioaccumulation factor (BAF) of 1.48 and 1.34, respectively, even though the rhizosphere soils were not contaminated by Cr. However, B. ischaemum and Agave americana Linn. showed the BAF for Pb, Zn Cu and Sn < 1.0, and Cyperus rotundus Linn. showed the similarly low BAF for Zn and Cu. Therefore, the three species had a great tolerance to phytostabilize these metals. Gymnema sylvestre (Retz.) Schult showed the translocation factor (TF) > 1.0 for Pb, Cu and Sn, so translocating these metals to the aboveground parts would be a feasible option. Similarly, Euphorbia cyathophora Murr. demonstrated the high phytotranslocate capacity for Cd and Sn, so it could be employed to remedy Cd and Sn-contaminated soils. This study investigated the phytoremediation potential of six indigenous plants widely growing on mine slag heaps in Gejiu, Yunnan. Bothriochloa ischcemum (Linn.) Keng and Equisetum ramosissimum Desf. were found to own a remarkable capacity to phytoaccumulate Cr. Bothriochloa ischaemum and Agave americana Linn. showed a great capacity to phytostabilize Pb, Zn Cu and Sn. Gymnema sylvestre (Retz.) Schult demonstrated the phytotransfer capacity for Pb, Cu and Sn, and Euphorbia cyathophora Murr. demonstrated the high phytotranslocate capacity for Cd and Sn. These findings will be useful to select suitable indigenous plants for the phytoremediation of local soils contaminated by mining activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accumulation of heavy metals in the environment is one of the most significant environmental problems due to the potential risk to human and animal health. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of the distance from the industrial zone on the heavy metal content in the soil and vegetative parts of wheat. A field experiment with four wheat genotypes was conducted in the area of the city of Pancevo, Serbia, at three locations at different distances from the industrial zone. By atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), concentrations of five heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Cr, Cu, and Cd) were determined in the soil and wheat. The highest total content of Zn, Cr, Cu, and Cd in the soil (72.5, 27.3, 26.2, and 0.3 mg kg−1, respectively) was found at the location closest to the industrial zone, while the highest content of Pb (28.9 mg kg−1) was recorded at a location that is in the immediate vicinity of a road. Heatmap correlations and PCA analysis show a significant relationship between the content of heavy metals in the soil and the plant. Genotype Pobeda had the lowest content of Cr, Cu, and Cd in the root and the lowest content of all the analyzed heavy metals in the stem. The highest translocation factor of heavy metals was found in the genotype Apache, which had the highest content of Pb, Cr, and Cu in the stem. The highest heavy metal bioaccumulation and translocation were established for Cd content (0.86 and 1.93). The obtained results indicate a potential ecological risk in the immediate vicinity of the industrial zone, while the difference in the accumulation of heavy metals between the studied genotypes opens new aspects for breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis of methanol extract of Martynia annua seed revealed the presence of haploperozide and austricine. For safety, heavy metals content investigation of plant powder using the Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) technique showed that the toxic metals (Pb: 2.07 mg/kg; Cd: 0.07 mg/kg; and As: 0.18 mg/kg) concentrations were found to be below the permissible limit. The extract demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against E. coli (MIC value 125 g/mL). Furthermore, it was effective in inhibiting both α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes with a high percentage and IC50 values were 42.28 ± 0.39 µg/mL and 34.11 ± 0.31 µg/mL, respectively. These findings were supported by a molecular docking study, some of the phytochemicals showed higher docking score values than references. However, Martynia annua seeds are safe to consume because they contain low levels of toxic heavy metals and possess antibacterial and anti-diabetic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the effect of biochar and compost on physiochemical properties, heavy metal content, microbial biomass, enzyme activities, and plant growth in Pb–Zn mine tailings. In this study, a pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of biochar, compost, and their combination on the availability of heavy metals, physicochemical features, and enzyme activities in mining soil. Compared to separate addition, the combined application of biochar and compost was more effective to improve soil pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (AP), and potassium (AK). All amendments significantly decreased CaCl2-extractable Pb, Zn, Cu, and Cd. Soil enzyme activities were activated by biochar and compost. Meanwhile, the addition of biochar and compost decreased heavy metal content in plant tissues and increased plant biomass. Pearson's correlation analysis showed that plant biomass was positively correlated with nutrient levels, microbial biomass, and enzyme activities, whereas it was negatively correlated with CaCl2-extractable heavy metals. These results enhance our understanding of the ecological functions of biochar and compost on the restoration of mining soil and reveal the potential benefit of organic amendments on the improvement of mining soil quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metal pollution in soils caused by mining has led to major environmental problems around the globe and seriously threatens the ecological environment. The assessment of heavy metal pollution and the local phytoremediation potential of contaminated sites is an important prerequisite for phytoremediation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to understand the characteristics of heavy metal pollution around a copper-nickel mine tailings pond and screen local plant species that could be potentially suitable for phytoremediation. The results showed that Cd, Cu, Ni, and Cr in the soil around the tailings pond were at the heavy pollution level, Mn and Pb pollution was moderate, and Zn and As pollution was light; The positive matrix factorization (PMF) model results showed that the contributions made by industrial pollution to Cu and Ni were 62.5% and 66.5%, respectively, atmospheric sedimentation and agricultural pollution contributions to Cr and Cd were 44.6% and 42.8%, respectively, the traffic pollution contribution to Pb was 41.2%, and the contributions made by natural pollution sources to Mn, Zn, and As were 54.5%, 47.9%, and 40.0% respectively. The maximum accumulation values for Cu, Ni, Cr, Cd, and As in 10 plants were 53.77, 102.67, 91.10, 1.16 and 7.23 mg/kg, respectively, which exceeded the normal content of heavy metals in plants. Ammophila breviligulata Fernald had the highest comprehensive extraction coefficient (CEI) and comprehensive stability coefficient (CSI) at 0.81 and 0.83, respectively. These results indicate that the heavy metal pollution in the soil around the copper nickel mine tailings pond investigated in this study is serious and may affect the normal growth of plants. Ammophila breviligulata Fernald has a strong comprehensive remediation capacity and can be used as a remediation plant species for multiple metal compound pollution sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four granulates were prepared from waste, including lignite ash, industrial sludge, sawdust, ammonium nitrate and potassium salt (60% K2O). The produced granulates were chemically tested. They contained significant Ca and C organic contents and slightly less S, P, K and Mg. The concentration of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn did not exceed the applicable standards. Then, they were tested in a experiment with 2 plants: spring rape, Larissa cv., and spring triticale, Milikaro cv. The content of the tested heavy metals in rape seed and triticale grain largely depended on the chemical properties and the amount of components used to produce granulates. As a rule, a higher share of industrial sludge and a lower share of lignite ash (granulates II with industrial sludge 40% and IV with industrial sludge 50%) in the granulates increased the content of heavy metals in the test plants. Applying the 2nd and 3rd doses of granulates increased the contents of cadmium, copper, chromium, nickel, lead, and zinc. Increasing doses of granulates significantly increased the uptake of heavy metals by rape seed and triticale grain. Under the influence of applied fertilizer granulates, the content of heavy metals in rape seeds and triticale grain was significantly positively correlated with their uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays people are becoming poisoned through the consumption of herbal remedies that comprise heavy metals (HMs) worldwide. It is possible for HMs to be present in pharmaceutical herb materials coming from anthropogenic activities like agriculture, industrial waste, and natural sources. In various ethnic groups, there is evidence that contaminants were purposefully added in the belief that they had some sort of therapeutic benefit. HM toxicity of medicinal plant products has been linked to a wide range of adverse health effects, causing dysfunction of the liver, kidney, and heart, and even death. Natural plant-based products established around the world have progressed to the point that they now combine a variety of synthetic products for their purported medical benefits. This assessment focuses on the impacts of HMs on plants, sources of HMs, herbal sample collection, and identification techniques, especially in medicinal plant samples. At the same time, it focuses on the sociocultural applications of HMs as well as the dangers associated with their usage in conventional therapies. It is necessary to implement appropriate regulation and monitoring systems for natural supplements due to the prevalence of hazardous HMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study is aimed at solving the urgent problem of processing waste intended for storage at MSW landfills as a result of human activities for the reclamation/restoration of disturbed territories as a result of the unauthorized placement of trade objects on land not intended for this (lawns, parks, lawns, etc.) in the urban environment. The most promising solution is to use paper and cardboard waste from office work and office work as one of the components of biomats with the inclusion of an organic component in the form of plant waste when caring for tree and shrub plantings (last year's compost of leaves and needles). As a result of a laboratory assessment of the applicability of paper and cardboard waste from office work and office work and plant waste in caring for tree and shrub plantings in the composition of biomats, it was established that there is no excess content of heavy metals and the presence of plant nutrients in the necessary quantities for the favorable growth of seeds and in protecting them from erosion processes and mechanical impact of birds and rodents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioretention facilities reduce stormwater runoff and pollutants, but there is a concern that plants in bioretention facilities may absorb heavy metal pollutants from stormwater runoff, which might impair the growth of the plant species. To investigate this issue, stormwater runoff containing various amounts of Pb and Cd heavy metals was used as the irrigation water in a bioretention facility. The low concentrations of Pb and Cd were 0.08 and 0.04 mg/L, and the high values were 0.68 and 0.32 mg/L. The plant heavy metal content and physiological indicators were measured. The indicators were chlorophyll content (CC), net photosynthetic rate (NPR), and transpiration rate (TR). The results showed that the changes in plant chlorophyll content (CC) were highly correlated with changes in the plants' Pb. Low concentrations of Pb and Cd slightly inhibited the Ginkgo biloba L. and Ligustrum × vicaryi NPRs, the effect was more obvious at high concentrations and the Ligustrum × vicaryi's NPR decreased from the initial 8.97 μmol CO2/(m2s) to 5.77 μmol CO2/(m2s) under high concentration conditions. Pb and Cd increased the Ginkgo biloba L. and Ligustrum × vicaryi's TRs, and the effect at low Pb and Cd concentrations was more significant. Under low concentrations of Pb and Cd stress, the Ginkgo biloba L.'s TRs reached 0.63 mmol H2O/(m2s), Ligustrum × vicaryi's TRs reached 1.30 mmol H2O/(m2s). The TRs of the two plants in the experimental groups remained high throughout the experiment, and there was no significant inhibition. The study found that Pb and Cd in stormwater runoff did affect the physiological function of species to some extent. Different plant species behaved differently in bioretention facilities, but the stormwater runoff did not lead to the death of species. Our study may provide a better understanding of the development of typical plant species in bioretention facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The municipal sludge and construction waste can be used in cultivating substrate for plants, but the effect of plant growth on the microbial diversity and heavy metal contents is largely unknown. In this study, municipal sludge and construction waste residue were mixed to cultivate Syringa reticulata subsp. amurensis. After sowing seeds on the mixed substrate, the microbial diversity and heavy metal contents of the substrate were measured after 3-month and 7-month growth of S. reticulata subsp. amurensis. The results showed that S. reticulata subsp. amurensis seedlings grew well in the mixed substrate. Moreover, the substrate revealed a different microbial diversity. The relative abundance of the top microbial phylum, Proteobacteria, decreased with the plant growth, as well as Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria. Gemmatimonadetes presented increasing relative abundance. In addition, the heavy metal contents decreased with plant growth, suggesting that S. reticulata subsp. amurensis removed heavy metals from the mixed substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water pollution is one of the major challenges and is of serious concern in the world. Toxicities generated by industrial activities severely deteriorate aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems during their uncontrolled discharge and accentuate water scarcity problems. An adequate treatment of released effluents seems to be mandatory. This study investigated the effect of synthetic textile wastewater (STWW) before and after an innovative algal–bacterial treatment occurred under anoxic–aerobic conditions on growth and mineral contents of radish plants. The health risk assessment was performed after the consumption of irrigated plants by rats. Results revealed a significant reduction in heavy metals content in plants irrigated with treated STWW, and rats fed with these plants showed normal health status. Rats fed with plants irrigated with raw STWW showed a disturbance of their homeostasis. The innovative treatment using algal–bacteria under anoxic–aerobic conditions succeeds to reduce the toxicity of raw STWW and provide an alternative water resource able to tackle water shortage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymetallic contamination of soils caused by mining activities seriously threatens soil fertility, biodiversity and human health. Bioremediation is thought to be of low cost and has minimal environmental risk but its effectiveness needs to be improved. This study aimed to identify the combined effect of plant growth and microbial strains with different functions on the enhancement of bioremediation of polymetallic contaminated soil. The microbiological mechanism of bioremediation was explored by amplicon sequencing and gene prediction. Soil was collected from polymetallic mine wastelands and a non-contaminated site for use in a pot experiment. Remediation efficiency of this method was evaluated by planting ryegrass and applying a mixed bacterial consortium comprising P-solubilizing, N-fixing and SO 4 -reducing bacteria. The plant-microbe joint remediation method significantly enhanced the above-ground biomass of ryegrass and soil nutrient contents, and at the same time reduced the content of heavy metals in the plant shoots and soil. The application of the composite bacterial inoculum significantly affected the structure of soil bacterial communities and increased the bacterial diversity and complexity, and the stability of co-occurrence networks. The relative abundance of the multifunctional genera to which the strains belonged showed a significant positive correlation with the soil nutrient content. Genera related to carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and sulphur (S) cycling and heavy metal resistance showed an up-regulation trend in heavy metal-contaminated soils after the application of the mixed bacterial consortium. Also, bacterial strains with specific functions in the mixed consortium regulated the expression of genes involved in soil nutrient cycling, and thus assisted in making the soil self-sustainable after remediation. These results suggested that the remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soil needs to give priority to the use of multifunctional bacterial agents. • Multifunctional bacterial agents remediate heavy metal-contaminated soil effectively. • Application of mixed inoculum can upregulate genes related to soil nutrient cycling. • A combined microbe-plant remediation was conducted. • Regulating the microbial community makes soil a self-sustaining microenvironment. • Microbial inoculation increased bacterial co-occurrence network complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pot experiment was carried out on lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) for growing 2021 season to study the effect of various water sources i.e., fresh water (FW), agricultural drainage (ADW), sewage (SW) and industrial drainage (IDW) after treated with moringa seed extract (MSE) on remove water and soils contamination and its effect on yield and heavy metals content of lettuce plants. The lowest values of SSP, SAR, SCAR, RSC, RSBC, PI, PS, KR and MAR were obtaind in fresh water followed by industrial drainage water, sewage water and agricultural drainage water when treated with MSE. The classification of all water sources indicates before treated with MSE of high salinity-low sodicity (C4S1) and moderate low sodicity (C2S1) after treated with MSE. Addition of MSE to water soureces reduced water turbidity, NO3-N, BOD, COD, DO and heavy metals compared with untreated water. The highest values of fresh and dry weight, N, P and K- uptake of lettuce plants obtainted in different water sources treated with MSE. Addition of MSE to different water sources gave the lowest accumulation of Pb, Cd, Ni, Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn in soil and lettuce plants compared to untreated water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The content of metal ions in fruits is inseparable from plant intake of trace elements and health effects in the human body. To understand metal ion content in the fruit and pericarp of melon (Cucumis melo L.) and the candidate genes responsible for controlling this process, we analyzed the metal ion content in distinct parts of melon fruit and pericarp and performed RNA-seq. The results showed that the content of metal ions in melon fruit tissue was significantly higher than that in the pericarp. Based on transcriptome expression profiling, we found that the fruit and pericarp contained elevated levels of DEGs. GO functional annotations included cell surface receptor signaling, signal transduction, organic substance metabolism, carbohydrate derivative binding, and hormone-mediated signaling pathways. KEGG pathways included pectate lyase, pentose and glucuronate interconversions, H+-transporting ATPase, oxidative phosphorylation, plant hormone signal transduction, and MAPK signaling pathways. We also analyzed the expression patterns of genes and transcription factors involved in hormone biosynthesis and signal transduction. Using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), a co-expression network was constructed to identify a specific module that was significantly correlated with the content of metal ions in melon, after which the gene expression in the module was measured. Connectivity and qRT–PCR identified five candidate melon genes, LOC103501427, LOC103501539, LOC103503694, LOC103504124, and LOC107990281, associated with metal ion content. This study provides a theoretical basis for further understanding the molecular mechanism of heavy metal ion content in melon fruit and peel and provides new genetic resources for the study of heavy metal ion content in plant tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The average content of heavy metals in Weining soil of karst landforms is generally higher than that of other agricultural regions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the heavy metal content in potatoes from Weining county and to analyze the correlation between the content of heavy metals in potatoes planted in the soil of karst landform and the soil's environmental factors (soil heavy metals, soil pH, soil organic matter, altitude). Weining county (Guizhou province, China) is a typical karst landform, and has a potato production yield of 2.7 million tons. In this study, 56 soil and potato samples were collected from Weining county and the heavy metal content in the soils and potatoes was detected by inductively coupled plasma atomic mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The content of Cr, Ni, and As in the soil was found to be higher, with almost half of the samples exceeding the maximum allowable levels. A total of 9 of the 56 samples tested had pollution load index values greater than 1.0, which indicates serious soil pollution. It was found that the ability of the potato to absorb heavy metals from the soil was very low, with the average bio-concentration factors of the metals Zn, Cu, Pb, Cr, Ni, and As being 0.087, 0.088, 0.0028, 0.0034, 0.0066, and less than 0.001, respectively. The content of the six heavy metals in the potatoes were all lower than the maximum permissible limit. The results show that a high As content in the soil could increase the content of Pb in potatoes, that a lower pH was beneficial to the bioaccumulation of Cr and Ni in potatoes, and that a high altitude is detrimental to the bioaccumulation of zinc and copper in potatoes. The HRI ranged between 1.12 × 10−2 and 5.92 × 10−2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Agronomy Science is the property of University of Life Sciences in Lublin and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Soil heavy metal pollution is becoming more and more serious. Biomass charcoal application can play an important role in alleviating the toxicity of heavy metals in soils. Compared with other biochar, bamboo charcoal has more unique properties and may have a unique effect on heavy metal pollution. Zhejiang Province of Southeastern China is rich in bamboo resources. However, few studies related to bamboo charcoal application for heavy metal remediation in farmland were reported. In this study, four treatments with different amounts of bamboo charcoal application were set up through a field experiment, namely BC0 (no bamboo charcoal application), BC1 (2500 kg⋅ha-1), BC2 (5000 kg⋅ha-1), and BC3 (10000 kg⋅ha-1), and each treatment was replicated three times. The results showed that (1) The application of bamboo charcoal significantly increased the soil pH and organic matter content. Compared with BC0, the pH and organic content of BC3 increased by 7.4% and 17.4% (P < 0.05) respectively. (2) The HCl-extractable Cd content of paddy soil in the BC1 treatment was significantly lower than other treatments (P < 0.05), and decreased by 15.3%, compared with BC0. The soil HCl-extractable Zn and Cu content did not differ significantly between treatments (P > 0.05). (3) With the increase of bamboo charcoal application, the Cd content in rice gradually decreased, the BC3 treatment significantly decreased by 39.0% (P < 0.05), and the Zn and Cu contents in rice did not differ significantly between treatments (P > 0.05), compared with BC0. (4) Soil pH, organic matter and Cd in rice seeds were significantly negatively correlated (P < 0.01). The heavy metal content in rice does not change with the change of heavy metal content with HCl-extractable state in soil. It means bamboo charcoal does not reduce heavy metal content in rice by simply declining the heavy metal content with HCl-extractable state. The mechanism of action is relatively complicated, and further study is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment pose challenges related to long-term operational efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions on a global scale. This study investigated the impact of adding peat, humic acid, and biochar into the substrates of constructed wetlands and focused on Cr, and Ni removal, greenhouse gas emissions, and microbial communities in constructed wetlands. Biochar addition treatment achieved the highest removal efficiencies for total Cr (99.96%), Cr (VI) (100%), and total Ni (91.04%). Humic acid and biochar addition both significantly increased the heavy metal content in wetland plant Leersia hexandra and substrates of constructed wetlands. Further analysis of microbial community proportions by high-throughput sequencing revealed that biochar and humic acid treatments enhanced Cr and Ni removal efficiency by increasing the abundance of Bacteroidetes, Geobacter and Ascomycota. Humic acid addition treatment reduced CO 2 emissions by decreasing the abundance of Bacteroidetes and increasing that of Basidiomycota. Peat treatment decreased CH 4 emissions by reducing the abundance of the Bacteroidetes. Biochar treatment increased the abundance of the Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria as well as Basidiomycota, resulting in reduced N 2 O emissions. Biochar and humic acid treatments efficiently removed heavy metals from wastewater and mitigated greenhouse gas emissions in constructed wetlands by modifying the microbial communities. [Display omitted] • Carbon source addition increases the Cr/Ni content in Leersia hexandra and substrates in constructed wetlands (CWs). • Alkaline nitrogen shapes microbial communities. • Biochar, humic acid, and peat reduce N 2 O, CO 2 and CH 4 , respectively. • Biochar and humic acid improve Cr/Ni removal and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in CWs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological remediation with native plants is the main measure to control the pollution of solid waste in Northwest China. However, the heavy metal transport characteristics of these native plants are still unidentified. This study analyzed the distribution of 16 heavy metals in native plants in the desulfurization gypsum yard (DGY), the gangue yard (GY) and the fly ash yard (FAY). The results showed that the soil contained many heavy metals in high concentrations. For instance, As concentrations were comparable to the global soil background values, whereas Cr and Mn concentrations in the area were 2–3 times greater than the global soil background values. The content of heavy metals in the plant root system increased first, then decreased as the distance from the yard increased. Ni, Pb, and Cd migrated well in Artemisia frigida Willd and Artemisia sieversiana Ehrhart ex Willd, with A. sieversiana showing a particularly strong migration in GY. A. sieversiana , on the other hand, was more successful at migrating Cd at DGY and had a similar capability for Mg migration in all three locations. Festuca rubra L was potentially suitable for planting in GY for Ni removal. In conclusion, the migration patterns of different heavy metals were not alike for plants in the three landfills. The results provided a basis for plant selection for ecological restoration in arid and semi-arid regions. [Display omitted] • Horizontal migration laws of plants are similar in the three landfills. • Different plant species have different abilities to transfer heavy metals. • Screening of plants with heavy metal migration advantage in different landfills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of BCL Cu–Ni mines on the surrounding environment has indicated high levels of heavy metal contamination in soil and some plant species. A comprehensive assessment of heavy metal concentration in plants, heavy metal concentration and availability in soils, and the estimates of risk associated with grazing animals in the area are presented. Exhaustive quantification of heavy metal contents in 82 plant samples revealed that some plants such as Boscia albitrunca and Boscia foetida are suitable for multi-metal phytoextraction, and others can accumulate one or two of the metals in soils or tolerate high levels of contamination. Current levels of soil contamination were manifested by acidification and high electrical conductivity, high contamination factor, and a pollution index between 8.31 and 10.79. The amount of exchangeable fractions of metals was higher than ordinary soils which is attributed to the high solubility of deposited materials on the soil surfaces. Daily intake estimates showed a possible risk associated with Pb and Cu contamination among grazing animals in the study area. Overall, the information has identified potential plants or combination of plants that could be utilized for the rehabilitation of the study area through phytoremediation. In addition, the estimates of the daily intake of the minerals due to consumption of plants in the vicinity of the BCL mines warrant for evaluation of the actual levels of heavy metals in grazing animals near the study area and in other mining areas in Botswana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a sustainable and profitable agriculture production system, balanced and integrated use of nutrients is a key strategy. In addition, partial replacement of chemical fertilizers with organics ones reduces both environmental concerns and economic costs and provides greater soil health benefits. With this hypothesis, an experiment was conducted to assess the yield and economic benefits of a rice-wheat cropping system (RWCS) as influenced by the joint application of sewage sludge (SSL) and fertilizer. The treatments comprised: without fertilizer or SSL; 100% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF); 100% RDF + 20 Mg ha−1 SSL; 100% RDF + 30 Mg ha−1 SSL; 50% RDF + 20 Mg ha−1 SSL; 60% RDF + 20 Mg ha−1 SSL; 70% RDF + 20 Mg ha−1 SSL; 50% RDF + 30 Mg ha−1 SSL; 60% RDF + 30 Mg ha−1 SSL and 70% RDF + 30 Mg ha−1 SSL. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with three replications. The result of our study indicate that the highest percent increase in mean plant height i.e., ~14.85 and ~13.90, and grain yield i.e., ~8.10 and ~18.90 for rice and wheat, respectively, were recorded under 100% RDF + 30 Mg SSL ha−1 treatment compared to 100% RDF, while 70% RDF + 20 Mg ha−1 SSL produced a statistically equivalent grain yield of 100% RDF in RWCS. The application of 20 and 30 Mg SSL ha−1 along with recommended or reduced fertilizer dose, significantly increased the heavy metal content in plant and soil systems above that of 100% RDF, but this enhancement was found within permissible limits. Moreover, the reduced use of SSL i.e., 20 Mg SSL ha−1, resulted in lower heavy metal content in grain and soil than did the 30 Mg ha−1 SSL treatment, but significantly higher than in the absolute control or 100% RDF treatment. In summary, the use of 20 Mg ha−1 SSL along with 70% RDF provided a safer, profitable and sustainable option in a rice-wheat cropping system in the middle Ganegatic alluvial plain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of seven herbaceous species (Hypericum perforatum L., Dactylis glomerata L., Plantago lanceolata L., Verbascum thapsus L., Picris hieracioides L., Cichorium intybus L., Daucus carota L.) to accumulate heavy metals such as Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn has been studied. The concentration of heavy metals was determined in roots, basal and cauline leaves, flowers, and stalks for each collected species. The species were selected according to their cosmopolitan characteristics, morphology, life cycle, and phenology. Soils and plants were collected from two sites: close to a high traffic road in the inner city of Rome and in a natural park north of Rome (Canale Monterano). The concentration of elements in soil in descending order were Zn>Pb>Cu>Ni>Cr>Cd, while the EDTA extractable element concentrations in the roots followed the sequence Zn>Cu≈Pb>Cd>Cr>Ni. The bioaccumulation factors (BF) and the transport factors (TF) were calculated for each plant species. Results showed a significant relationship between heavy metals content in soil and plant species. H. perforatum showed a high Pb accumulation capacity in the stalk (70.30 mg kg−1) and roots (73.41 mg kg−1); moreover, BF>1 for this species at urban site has been obtained. Plantago lanceolata and Dactlys glomerata have shown higher Cd absorption (BF=1.33 and 0.55 in rural and urban sites, respectively). Plantago lanceolata in general shows high heavy metal uptake. The distribution of metals within the plant strongly depends on the species; the main accumulation of Ni, Cd, and Cu was observed in the leaves, while the highest Cr concentration was observed in the flowers. Plant species can be effectively considered as valid bioindicators of heavy metals derived from human activities and can be used to monitor pollution changes in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potentially toxic metals and metalloids present in mining residues can affect ecosystems, particularly plant growth and development. In this study we evaluated heavy metal (Fe, Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb) and As contents in maize (Zea mays L) plants grown in soils collected near (40 m), at intermediate (400 m) and remote (3000 m) distances from mine tailings near Taxco City, Mexico. Soils sampled near and at intermediate sites from the tailings contained high levels of heavy metals which were 3- to 55-fold higher compared to the control samples. Heavy metal and As content in plants reflected the soil contamination being the greatest for most studied elements in root samples followed by stems, leaves, and kernels. Though plants were capable of completing their life cycle and producing the seeds, high bioaccumulation levels had a strong impact negatively on plant development. Abnormalities in the organs like malformations in reproductive structures (tassel and ear), reduction in the phytomer number and the plant height were present. Microscopic studies and morphometric analyses suggest that strongly affected plant growth result from negative and synergistic action of heavy metals and As in soils on cell growth and cell production. This study showed that maize grown near mine tailings accumulated high levels of heavy metals and As which decrease significantly plant yield and could be dangerous if it is consumed by animals and humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of application of municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) on copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) levels in soil and wheat plant was studied. The effectiveness of complementary remediations including compost washing (three levels), wood ash and sawdust application (each at three levels) was also examined. A completely randomized design pot experiment with medium-textured soil was performed. The diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid–triethanolamine (DTPA–TEA) extracts of the soil and plant shoots were tested for heavy metal content using atomic absorption. The heavy metal contents of plant showed a definite dependence on extractable heavy metals in differently treated soil. The highest metal uptake by plant was observed in unleached compost-amended soil, followed by leaching, sawdust and wood ash remediations. No significant differences were observed within different levels of leaching and wood ash applications. The highest crop yield was obtained for wood ash amendment (1 wt%). Consequently, wood ash is an appropriate remediation for MSWC-treated soil to reduce heavy metal phytoavailability although monitoring of total heavy metal in soil is necessary for long-term application of MSWC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triticum eastivum (wheatgrass) is a very important plant due to its economic value. Recently the environment is polluted with many compounds like heavy metals and industrial waste. This research study the effect of ceramic (TiO2) and heavy metal (Cd) nanoparticles on the wheat plant in vitro on some parameter germination, number and length of root and shoot, fresh and dry weight for root and shoot, and the accumulation of TiO2 and Cd in plant part (root and shoot). Results demonstrated that the percentage of germination increase when treated with TiO2 and Cd as compere with control, increasing in number and length of root and shoot compere with control for TiO2 and decrease in root number and length for Cd, whereas the Cd has no significant differences on number and length of the shoot. The dry and fresh weight of root and shoot under TiO2 stress does not significantly different from control, while the Cd has significantly decreased the fresh and dry weight compared with control. The atomic absorption analysis showed that the TiO2 can accumulate in root more than shoot, whether the Cd accumulated in shoot more than root. This study showed that the plant can tolerate and sometimes stimulate plant growth at low concentrations of ceramic and heavy metal nanoparticles (TiO2 and Cd) the two compounds can accumulate in the plant in root or shoot which can represent a danger to the consumer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current paper deals with studying the ability of the water hyacinth to adsorb heavy metals from polluted water and detecting the adsorbed amount of these metals in different parts of the plant. The studied samples included the water hyacinth herb growing in two regions on the Diyala Governorate; the first region was the east bank of Tigris river at Al- Al- Rashdiya sub-district, southern west of Baqubah and the other region was the tributaries of Al-Zuhairat village in the subdistrict of Abu-Sayda, northern east of Baqubah. The obtained plants were cutted very carefully and the parts of the water hyacinth herb extracted from the two regions were isolated, which are the roots, leaves, stems, stolons and the rafts. Determination of heavy metals using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) in the different parts of the water hyacinth was done by analyzing the plant parts in addition to the tendency of the river near and far from the herb to identify the ability of this herb to take toxic metals from the water. The results of the analysis showed that the water hyacinth plant has a high ability to adsorb heavy metals from water and that the specifications of the water near the herb are in conformity with Iraqi and international specifications. Thus, this herb can be one of the materials to filter the water contaminated with these polluting and toxic metals and use it in a beneficial way instead of getting rid of it because of the great damage it causes to the water eco-systems accessing to Zero Residues Level (ZRL). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Wanshan mercury mine, which is an abandoned mine located in northeastern Guizhou Province in Southwest China, has introduced serious Hg pollution to the local ecosystem resulting from previous mining and smelting activities. However, it is not clear to date whether soil pollution has actually improved after treatment by related departments. Therefore, the present study investigates the vegetation community and heavy metal contents of the soil and plants in the Wanshan mercury mining area. The results showed that most of Hg, Cd, As, Cu, and Zn contents in soil samples were higher than those of Soil Environment Quality Risk Control Standard for Soil Contamination of Agricultural Land in China (GB15618-2018). The observed plant species mainly consisted of Compositae, followed by Leguminosae. Unfortunately, this investigation found that heavy metal concentrations in these plants were not extremely high and far below the standard of hyperaccumulator. Despite all this, the maximum values of bioaccumulation factor for Pb, Cd, Hg, As, Cu and Zn were Serissa japonica (Thunb.) Thunb., Rhus chinensis Mill., Potentilla sibbaldii Haller f., Erigeron canadensis L., Clerodendrum bungei var. bungei. and Rhus chinensis Mill., respectively. Regardless of the carcinogenic or noncarcinogenic risk index, the potential risk to urban children is higher. Our results suggest that heavy metal pollution was indeed relieved since their contents in soil significantly decreased in comparison with those reported in other previous studies. This finding provides a reference for the long-term treatment of heavy metal pollution in the local environment and other areas employing analogous environmental protection measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of biological silicon nano-particles (Bio-Si-NPs) is an eco-friendly and low-cost method. There is no study focusing on the effect of Bio-Si-NPs on the plants grown on saline soil contaminated with heavy metals. In this study, an attempt was made to synthesis Bio-Si-NPs using potassium silica florid substrate, and the identified Aspergillus tubingensis AM11 isolate that separated from distribution systems of the potable water. A two-year field trial was conducted to compare the protective effects of Bio-Si-NPs (2.5 and 5.0 mmol/L) and potassium silicate (10 mmol/L) as a foliar spray on the antioxidant defense system, physio-biochemical components, and the contaminants contents of Phaseolus vulgaris L. grown on saline soil contaminated with heavy metals. Our findings showed that all treatments of Bio-Si-NPs and potassium silicate significantly improved plant growth and production, chlorophylls, carotenoids, transpiration rate, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, membrane stability index, relative water content, free proline, total soluble sugars, N, P, K, Ca2+, K+/Na+, and the activities of peroxidase, catalase, ascorbic peroxidase and superoxide oxide dismutase. Application of Bio-Si-NPs and potassium silicate significantly decreased electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde, H 2 O 2 , O 2 •−, Na+, Pb, Cd, and Ni in leaves and pods of Phaseolus vulgaris L. compared to control. Bio-Si-NPs were more effective compared to potassium silicate. Application of Bio-Si-NPs at the rate of 5 mmol/L was the recommended treatment to enhance the performance and reduce heavy metals content on plants grown on contaminated saline soils. [Display omitted] A diagram shows the effect of contaminated saline soil and biological silicone nanoparticles on growth and yield, physio-biochemical attributes, and antioxidant defense systems in stressed common bean plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vehicular emissions containing traces of different heavy metals are known to cause significant contamination of roadside soils and plants. The present study was conducted to investigate the heavy metal concentrations in roadside soil and plant samples (Alstonia scholaris, Nerium oleander, Tabernaemontana divaricata, and Thevetia peruviana) collected from urban areas of Amritsar city of Punjab, India, under different traffic densities. The soil and plant samples were collected in pre- and post-monsoon seasons from seven roadside sites under varying levels of traffic density and analyzed for four heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn). In addition to that, total protein and carotenoid contents in plant samples were also determined. pH and electrical conductivity analysis of roadside soil samples revealed slight to strongly alkaline and non-saline nature of soil. Significant reduction in contents of total proteins and carotenoids was observed in plants collected from sites with moderate to high traffic density. The trend of heavy metal contents in plants and their corresponding soil samples was observed to be Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd for both the seasons. Index of geo-accumulation indicated moderate contamination of soil with metals analyzed, while bio-accumulation factor (BAF) showed both absorption and accumulation of metals in plants under study. The study revealed significant contamination of roadside soil and plants of Amritsar city which was linked to vehicular emissions posing potential risk to human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Agro-Environment Science is the property of Journal of Agro-Environment Science Editorial Board and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)