Fe oxides and fulvic acids together promoted the migration of Cd(II) to the root surface of Phragmites australis

Abstract

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) or iron/manganese (hydro)oxides were important factors in the migration of Cd in sediments of wetlands. DOM and Fe oxides simultaneously affect the longitudinal and transverse migration of Cd in wetlands sediments of plants was still unclear. In this study, a 14-day rhizobox experiment was conducted and the result showed that the rhizosphere effect of Cd migration was only limited to the upper layer of sediments (− 2 to − 4 cm). Fe with fulvic acid (FA) simultaneously existed can precipitate Cd(II) from supernatant to sediments downward. Fe oxides at sediment concentration could effectively prevent Cd(II) from migrating to root surface (0.21 vs 0.02 at%). While Fe oxides with FA together at sediment concentration could effectively promoted the migration of Cd(II) to root surface (0.07 vs 0.08 at%). The formation of organo-metallic complexes of Fe in the presence of FA profoundly proved this finding (increased by ~33.0%). And the polysaccharides and aromatics in organic matter were the chief functional groups participating in the incorporation of Cd and Fe oxides. The findings reveal the migration rules of Cd(II) in sediments by FA and Fe oxides and give an insight into the mechanisms of Cd(II) migration to the root surface around wetland plants.