Abstract
Lead (Pb)-polluted soils pose a serious threat to human health, particularly by transmitting this heavy metal to the food chain via the crops grown on them. The application of novel amendments in Pb-polluted soils can significantly reduce this problem. In this research, we report the effects of various organic and inorganic amendments i.e., bentonite (BN), biochar (BR), lignin (LN), magnesium potassium phosphate cement (CM) and iron hydroxyl phosphate (FeHP), on the Pb bioavailability in Pb-polluted soil, upon Pb distribution in shoots, roots, grain, the translocation factor (TF) and the bioconcentration factor (BCF) of Pb in pea (Pisum sativum L.) grain. Furthermore, effects of the said amendments on the plant parameters, as well as grain biochemistry and nutritional quality, were also assessed. Lead pollution significantly elevated Pb concentrations in roots, shoots and grain, as well as the grain TF and BCF of Pb, while reducing the nutritional quality and biochemistry of grain, plant height, relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll contents (chl a and chl b) and the dry weight (DW) of shoot, root and grain. The lowest Pb distribution in shoots, roots and grain were found with BN, FeHP and CM, compared to our control. Likewise, the BN, FeHP and CM significantly lowered the TF and BCF values of Pb in the order FeHP > CM > BN. Similarly, the highest increase in plant height, shoot, root and grain DW, RWC, chl a and chl b contents, grain biochemistry and the micronutrient concentrations, were recorded with BR amendment. Biochar also reduced grain polyphenols as well as plant oxidative stress. Given that the BR and BN amendments gave the best results, we propose to explore their potential synergistic effect to reduce Pb toxicity by using them together in future research.
Highlights
Urbanization and industrialization has led to the contamination of world soils with heavy metals [1]
The data regarding the concentrations of Pb in grain, shoots and roots were in the range of 56.0 to 129.8, 220.9 to 365.1 and 658.6 to 843.8 mg kg−1 dry weight (DW), respectively
In the BN 5%, CM 0.5% and FeHP 2% treatments, the Pb concentrations in grain were reduced by 57%, 53% and 50%; in roots by 22%, 19% and 18% and in diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)
Summary
Urbanization and industrialization has led to the contamination of world soils with heavy metals [1]. Lead (Pb) is an important pollutant in soil among other heavy metals. It can enter into soils through the disposal of effluents from industries like batteries and paints, mining and smelting, and the burning of fossil fuels, i.e., coal and leaded gasoline [2,3]. Several natural sources causing soil pollution with Pb are the weathering of rocks, volcanic eruption, forest fires and sea sprays [4]. Lead pollution has an adverse effect on humans, especially the health of teenagers. Consumption of food grown within Pb-contaminated soil may cause neurological effects and cognitive disorders [5,6]
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