Abstract
The first risk posed by heavy metal pollution in an ecosystem is metal accumulation in the biomass of growing plants, which has harmful effects on human health. Natural-based nanoparticles are efficient in remediating environmental pollutants because they have a high surface/volume ratio, high chemical activity and produce no harmful side-products. The present study investigates the capacity of natural-based nano-porous adsorbents for reducing the availability of heavy metals to annual alfalfa (Medicago scutellata L.) roots and keeps them in soil. In a factorial experiment based on a randomized design (with four replications), three nano-adsorbents (nano-activated carbon, natural nano-zeolite and modified nano-zeolite) and two heavy metals (lead and cadmium) have been tested. The results demonstrated that applying the highest rate of activated carbon and modified nano-zeolite reduced shoot Pb content by 34% and 33.2%, and shoot Cd content by 35.5% and 46.7%, respectively, compared with the adsorbent-free control.
 
 *********
 In press - Online First. Article has been peer reviewed, accepted for publication and published online without pagination. It will receive pagination when the issue will be ready for publishing as a complete number (Volume 47, Issue 4, 2019). The article is searchable and citable by Digital Object Identifier (DOI). DOI link will become active after the article will be included in the complete issue.
 *********
Highlights
There are several methods for removing environmental pollutants
The results showed that natural zeolite had low capacity for cadmium adsorption, but efficiently adsorbed other heavy metals such as
Increasing the application rate of zeolite reduced the Pb and Cd content in both plant parts; this reduction trend was more evident at 90 and 120 mg zeolite/kg soil rates. This decreasing trend of the Pb and Cd concentration in alfalfa roots and shoots was observed in the interaction of Pb × Cd; application of higher zeolite rates in treatments containing both Pb and Cd resulted in a higher reduction of Pb and Cd in both tissues compared with the treatments containing only Pb
Summary
There are several methods for removing environmental pollutants. Using nano particles is one of the most novel ones. Heavy metals and agrochemicals are introduced into the environment on a large scale through natural sources and human activities. The anthropogenic input of these materials in the environment is far higher than that introduced by natural processes; resulting in the accumulation of heavy metals in the environment (Samarbakhsh et al, 2009; Hoseinzade et al, 2016). Heavy metals pollution in pastures has caused environmental problems. The persistence and bioaccumulation of heavy metals in the tissues of organisms enable them to move up the food chain. This has triggered research on the patterns of heavy metal accumulation and distribution in forage crops in order to ensure consumer health
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
