Features of heavy metal accumulation in Artemisia gmelinii growing in the Transbaikal Region

The data of a two-factor field experiment conducted to research the content and mutual influence of trace elements (TEs) in soil, segetal vegetation, cultivated grasses and pear plants during the biologization of agrocenosis are presented. The experiment was carried out in the valley of the Salgir River in central Crimea (Simferopol region) on meadow alluvial carbonate soil in the orchard of pear (Pyrus communis L.) cv. Tavricheskaya on the rootstock VA 29. The experiment focused on the influence of the «sod» factor: 1) natural sod of the soil by segetal vegetation (SV) – control; 2) a mixture of herbs: Lolium multiflorum Lam. + Medicago sativa L. (HM2); 3) a mixture of herbs: L. multiflorum + M. sativa + Festuca pratensis Huds. + Trifolium pratense L. + Bromus inermis Leyss (HM4). Additionally, the effect of microbial preparations (MP) was investigated, which included: 1) a control group without MP, 2) Azotobacterin 07-Agro – the nitrogen-fixing and growth-stimulating agent; 3) Microbiocom-Agro (MBC) is a complex fertilizer with nitrogen-fixing, growth-promoting, phosphate-mobilizing, and biological protective properties. Mobile (available) forms of TEs: Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn and Co in soil, and total forms of the same elements in grasses and pear leaves were determined using the atomic absorption method. It was revealed that the concentrations of Fe, Mn and Co in the soil were below the regional background levels, while Mn and Co were at levels that were considered to below for fruit crops. The content of Cu and Zn in the soil was high, but did not exceed the maximum permissible concentration and was located in the following order: Mn ˃ Zn ˃ Fe ˃ Cu ˃ Co. Biologization caused an increase in the mobility of TE. MBC, when applied in combination with CT4, contributed to some relatively greater accumulation of Zn relative to Mn in the soil. It may cause Mn deficiency in the pear plant. The content of total forms of ME in herbs was generally optimal or high, but Mn was low. According to their content in herbs, TEs are arranged in the order: Fe ˃ Cu ≥ Zn ˃ Mn ˃ Co. The lack of Mn in grasses is associated with a deficiency of this element in the soil. MPs contributed to the accumulation of TEs in the biomass of sown grasses (except for Mn), which can be used for phytoremediation of soils contaminated with Co and Zn. The Mn content in herbs decreased under the influence of MBC. The concentration of total forms of TE (excluding Mn) in pear leaves was optimal and high, while Mn level was low. The series of element ratios was similar to that obtained for grasses, but Zn content in pear leaves was higher than Cu. The applied biologization methods increased the contents of Fe, Zn, and Co in leaves and decreased the concentration of Mn below the optimal level for pears. Herbs competed with the fruiting plants in the absorption of TEs, especially when their biodiversity increased and in combination with MPs. During the process of biologization the absorption of Co by the pear increased significantly and the absorption of Mn decreased, which caused a lack of the latter in the pear nutrition, both due to its low content in the soil and antagonism with Fe, Zn, Cu and Co in the plant. This manifested itself in external symptoms of deficiency, such as weak chlorosis and necrosis of young pear leaves. In general, the use of AB in conjunction with HM2 is the more optimal combination of sod and MP (from those studied) in terms of its effect on soil properties and nutrition of pear plants. A research should be conducted to determine optimal doses of manganese fertilizers for application through foliage for specific environmental conditions in order to improve the nutrition of pear by Mn at a low content of its mobile forms in carbonate soils and during biologization.

Введение. Элементный состав почв несёт большой объём информации об их плодородии, генезисе и закономерностях эволюции. В каждом регионе он имеет свои особенности, обусловленные различиями подстилающих пород, рельефа и климата. Знания о процессах трансформации почв и изменениях их элементного состава под воздействием природных факторов необходимы для глубокого познания закономерностей протекания в лесных экосистемах биологического круговорота веществ. Цель исследования – оценка валового содержания химических элементов в песчаных почвах лесных биогеоценозов Марийского Заволжья и создание региональной типологической шкалы их кларков, необходимой для определения степени антропогенного воздействия на природную среду и познания процессов почвообразования. Результаты. Установлен элементный состав песчаных почв лесных биогеоценозов Марийского Заволжья и создана региональная шкала их кларков. Показано, что концентрация только Cu и Si несколько выше их содержания в земной коре, а у Cr и Zr близка к нему. Наиболее низки кларки концентрации в почвах Na (0,09), Mg (0,08), Rb (0,06) и Ca (0,04). Размах между максимальным и минимальным значениями кларка концентрации наиболее велик у Mn (13,5), что свидетельствует о высоком информативном значении этого элемента, отражающего особенности почвообразующих процессов. Меньше же всего его величина изменяется у Si (0,18). Самое высокое валовое содержание многих химических элементов отмечается в сосняках и березняках с липой, а наименьшее – в лишайниковом типе леса. По мере развития почв в них неуклонно возрастает от нижнего слоя к верхнему содержание органического вещества, а также Mn, S и P. Менее чётко увеличивается с возрастом почв также содержание в них Ca, Ti и Zr. Изменения элементного состава почв в ходе их эволюции происходят не монотонно, а скачкообразно, что связано мощным воздействием на биогеоценоз факторов внешней среды. Вывод. Содержание элементов в почвах определяется как орографическими и гидрологическими факторами, так и особенностями развития биоценозов. Особенно большие различия между типами леса и территориальными системами отмечаются по содержанию в почвах органического вещества, Zr, Mn, P и S. Производительность же древостоев зависит не столько от элементного состава почв, сколько от химизма грунтовых вод, а также наличия водоупорного горизонта, поддерживающего высокое содержание влаги в корнеобитаемом слое. Introduction. The elemental composition of soils contains a large amount of information about soil fertility, its genesis and regularities of evolution. In each region, it has its own characteristics due to the differences in underlying rocks, terrain, and climate. Knowledge about the process of soil transformation and the changes in soil elemental composition under the influence of natural factors is important for a deep study of regularities of biological cycle of substances in forest ecosystems. The goal of the study is to assess the gross content of chemical elements in sandy soils of Mari Trans-Volga Region forest biogeocenoses and to develop a regional typological scale of their clarkes which is necessary to determine the degree of anthropogenic impact on the natural environment and study the soil formation processes. Results. The elemental composition of sandy soils of Mari Trans-Volga Region forest biogeocenoses was determined and a regional scale of their clarkes was established. It is shown that concentration of only Cu and Si is slightly higher than their content in the Earth's crust, while concentration of Cr and Zr is close to it. The lowest clarkes of Na (0.09), Mg (0.08), Rb (0.06), and Ca (0.04) concentration in soils are defined. The greatest range between the maximum and minimum values of clarke of concentration is found for Mn (13.5), which indicates a high informative value of this element, reflecting the features of soil-forming processes. Its value changes the least in Si (0.18). The highest gross content of many chemical elements is observed in pine and birch forests with linden, and the lowest one - in the lichen forest type. With the soil evolution, the content of organic matter, as well as Mn, S and P, steadily increases from lower layer to the upper one. The content of Ca, Ti and Zr also increases with the age of soils, but it is less clear. The changes in the elemental composition of soil in evolution do not occur monotonously, but abruptly, which is associated with a powerful impact of environmental factors on the biogeocenosis. Conclusion. The content of elements in soil is determined by both orographic and hydrological factors, as well as the peculiarities of biogeocenoses development. Particularly large differences between forest types and territorial systems are found in the content of organic matter in soils, Zr, Mn, P and S. Stands productivity more depends on the chemistry of groundwater and the presence of impermeable horizon that maintains a high moisture in the root layer, not the elemental composition of the soil.

This study aimed to determine the concentrations of Al (aluminum), Ba (barium), Co (cobalt), Cr (chromium), Cu (copper), Fe (iron), Mn (manganese), Ni (nickel), Pb (lead), S (sulphur), and Zn (zinc) in soil and Veronica grisebachii S. M. WALTERS samples. The research focused on the heavy metal and essential nutrition element contents of these plant species. Plant samples were collected from southeastern Aksaray province, Türkiye, at the geographical coordinates 38°13'54.5"N 34°08'28.8" E and an elevation of 1276 m above sea level. Standard methods were used to determine the plant (root, stem, and leaf parts) and soil elements. The numerical values of essential elements and heavy metals in the species were quantified using ICP-MS. XRF device was also used to determine the elements in the soil. The results showed that the amounts of Cr, Cu, Fe Pb, S, and Zn in the soil were within the optimum range, while the concentrations of Al, Co, Mn, and Ni were above the optimum values. The levels of Al, Co, Mn, and Ni in the soil of the plant's natural habitat were above the reference values. This species has a high capacity to absorb and accumulate heavy metals such as Al, Co, Mn, and Ni from the soil.

Concentrations of major and trace elements in soil and grass at Shimba Hills National Reserve, Kenya

The research was based on a pot experiment in which the impact of increasing Cd, Zn and Pb doses on the content of available trace elements in soil was compared. Seven series of trials were designed: 1 (Cd), 2 (Pb), 3 (Zn), 4 (Cd + Pb), 5 (Cd + Zn), 6 (Pb + Zn), 7 (Cd + Pb + Zn). Aside from the control one (without the metals), three increasing levels of contamination were considered within each series. Mobile forms of trace elements (Cd, Pb, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni, Co, and Cr) in soil were determined, in addition to which selected physicochemical soil properties—reaction (pH), salinity (EC), hydrolytic acidity (HAC), total exchange bases (TEB)—were identified while cation exchange capacity (CEC), base saturation (BS) and availability factor (AF) were calculated. The application of Cd and Pb to soil resulted in an increase in the share of potentially available forms of these metals in their total content. The availability factor (AF) in the pots polluted with these metals was higher than in the control, in the range 17.5–20.0% for Cd, and 62.8–71.5% for Pb. In turn, the share of Zn mobile forms was comparable in most experimental objects, oscillating around 30%. Moreover, addition to soil of Cd, Pb and Zn usually caused a significant decrease in the content of available forms of Fe, Mn and Cu, and resulted in significantly higher content of available forms of Cr in the soil.

The paper presents research data on the content of chemical elements (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ni, Co, Pb) in the soil and species of the genus Artemisia growing in the Transbaikal Territory. The content of chemical elements in the soil does not exceed the maximum permissible and approximately permissible concentrations. It was found that most of the studied elements are concentrated in the above-ground plant’s phytomass. Based on the content of elements in plants, the following accumulation sequence can be constructed: Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu > Ni >Co >Pb. For copper and zinc, exceedances of maximum permissible concentrations in plants were noted.

The article presents research data on the content of chemical elements (Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, Ba, Pb) in soils and plants, growing on the Transbaikal Territory. Exceeded maximum permissible concentrations for chromium, manganese, copper, zinc, barium, lead in the study area was revealed. An excess of the maximum permissible concentrations for copper, zinc, lead in Taraxacum officinale, Chamaenerion angustifolium, Artemisia frigida. The maximum accumulation of chemical elements in Taraxacum officinale.

Introduction. Apple fruits are widely used in the food industry and as non-pharmacopoeial medicinal raw materials. The value of this plant is due to the presence of a large number of biologically active compounds, namely: phenols, flavonoids and tannins. Despite the abundance of information on the chemical composition of this raw material, the study of the elemental composition of apple fruits remains relevant for potential use in the treatment of element deficiency conditions. Objective: to study the content of chemical elements using X-ray fluorescence analysis in three different parts of apple fruits – in the exocarp, mesocarp and endocarp for four varieties, as well as to identify the nitrate content and measure acidity for these apple varieties. Material and methods. Apple tree fruits for research were harvested in the Moscow region. After preliminary ashing of the samples, the content of chemical elements was determined by X-ray fluorescence analysis with a silicon drift detector. pH and nitrate ion concentrations were measured using an EXPERT-001 pH meter. Results. Using X-ray fluorescence analysis (XFA), the elemental composition of four varieties of domestic apple fruits was studied for various parts of the fruit. An increased content of lead was noted in the exocarp of apples of the Spartan variety. A study of the content of nitrate ions and pH was also carried out. Conclusion. The chemical composition of domestic apple fruits was studied using X-ray fluorescence. The content of chemical elements was different in different parts of the fruit. The lowest content of chemical elements was determined in the mesocarp of the fruit. It is also worth noting the high lead content in the exocarp of Spartan apples.

Metal distribution in the Arctic ecosystems of the Chukotka Peninsula, Russia

The link of the chemical composition of the plant with the active volcanism of Kamchatka, is determined by the stable occurrence into the composition of the priority chemical elements for plants, volcanic ashes and soils: Ca, Mg, Mn, P, Cu, Zn and Sr. An elevated geochemical background of Kamchatka plants relative to the bulk chemical composition of the peninsula’s soils was established. The contents of Br, Hg, Hf, Sb, Ga, W, K relative to the clarks for living matter in the plants of the region are exceeded by 3–5 times. Against the background of small variations in the contents of chemical elements in plants of different regions, the relatively rich biogeochemical background of the Western region of the southern province (the western coast of Kamchatka) is determined, where most ancient near-surface volcanic ashes for Kamchatka are transformed into humus-accumulative horizons. On the territory of young volcanic ash fallout in the immediate vicinity of volcanoes, the relative richness of vegetation with chemical elements and the poverty of soils by mobile forms of elements have been established. On the contrary, at a distance from the volcanoes in the zone of far transfer fallout ashes, there is a marked relative poverty of plants and soil richness of available chemical elements.

Standard Rates of Content of Chemical Elements in the Soil: International Experience and Use for Western Siberia

Введение.Минеральная часть почвы, на долю которой приходится 80–90 % общей массы, оказывает большое влияние на её физические, водные и агрохимические свойства, определяя структуру биогеоценозов, их производительность и закономерности развития, являясь для растений источником питательных веществ. Знания о процессах изменения элементного состава почв под воздействием естественных и антропогенных факторов необходимы для глубокого понимания их генезиса, а также особенностей протекания в экотопах биологического круговорота веществ. Цель исследования – оценка валового содержания химических элементов в почвах пойменных экотопов бассейна реки Малая Кокшага Республики Марий Эл, выявление границ и закономерностей его изменчивости. Объекты и методы. Исследования проведены в шести пойменных и одном приводораздельном экотопах, последний из которых служил эталоном сравнения. Оценку валового содержания химических элементов в почве проводили с помощью рентгенофлуоресцентного анализа в институте геологии и нефтегазовых технологий Казанского (Приволжского) федерального университета. Полученный цифровой материал обработан на ПК с использованием методов математической статистики. Результаты. В образцах почвы было выявлено наличие 30 химических элементов, преобладающим из которых является Si. На порядок меньше содержится в них Al и Fe, а за ними следуют K, Mg, Na и Ca. Кларки концентрации наиболее велики у Cu, Zr, Cr, Ni и Mn, несколько повышены они у V и Ti. Среднее значение кларка концентрации Zn, Fe и Al близко к единице, а у Si, Mg и Ba оно изменяется от 0,88 до 0,78. Самые низкие кларки концентрации у Na(0,38), Ca(0,31) и S(0,27). Установлено, что по мере развития почв в них чётко возрастает содержание органического вещества, Mn, P и S, а концентрация же Al и Mg, наоборот, снижается. Содержание остальных химических элементов в процессе эволюции почв практически не меняется. В краткопойменных экотопах под пологом всех древостоев, за исключением сероольшаника, изменения состава почв протекали практически так же, как и в нагорном липняке. Наиболее значительные изменения элементного состава почв произошли на пойменном лугу. Вывод. Особенности эволюции почв лучше всего отражает изменение валового содержания в них фосфора, серы и марганца, тесно связанного с органическим веществом, а также железа, характеризующего особенности протекания окислительно-восстановительных процессов. The mineral part of the soil, which accounts for 80-90 % of the total mass, has a great influence on its physical, water and agrochemical properties, determining the structure of biogeocenoses, their productivity and development patterns, and serving as a nutrient for plants. Knowledge of the processes of change in the elemental composition of soils affected by natural and anthropogenic factors is essential for in-depth understanding of soil genesis and peculiarities of the biological cycle of substances in ecotopes. The purpose of the research is to assess the gross content of chemical elements in the soils of bottomland ecotopes of the Malaya Kokshaga river basin of the Republic of Mari El, as well as determine the limits and patterns of its variation. Objects and methods. The studies were carried out in six bottomland ecotopes and one near-watershed ecotope, the latter served as a benchmark for comparison. Assessment of the gross content of chemical elements in the soil was performed by means of X-ray fluorescence analysis conducted at the Institute of Geology and Petroleum Technologies of Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University. The digital materials obtained were processed on a PC using methods of mathematical statistics. Results.The soil samples exhibited the presence of 30 chemical elements, among which Si prevailed. They also contain an order of magnitude less Al and Fe, followed by K, Mg, Na and Ca. The clarkes of concentration are the highest for Cu, Zr, Cr, Ni and Mn; they are slightly increased for V and Ti. The average clarke value of Zn, Fe and Al concentration is close to 1, and for Si, Mg and Ba it varies from 0.88 to 0.78. The lowest clarkes were observed for Na (0.38), Ca (0.31) and S (0.27) concentration. It was found that with the soil evolution, the content of organic matter, Mn, P and S in soils steadily increases, while the concentrations of Al and Mg, on the contrary, decrease. The content of other chemical elements remains essentially unchanged in the process of soil evolution. In the ecotopes of bottomland subject to short-term flooding, under the canopy of all forest stands with the exception of gray alder forests, alterations in the soil composition proceeded in almost the same manner as in the upland lime-tree forests. The most significant changes in the elemental composition of soils occurred in the floodplain meadow. Conclusion. Particularities of the soil evolution are best reflected in the changes in the gross content of phosphorus, sulfur and manganese in soils, which is closely related to organic matter, as well as the gross content of iron, characterizing the specificity of redox processes.

We analyzed the original and most developed environmental legislation of the Netherlands, Germany, the United States, and Canada, as well as the systems of Finland, the Czech Republic, China, the Republic of South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, which have a number of specific features in terms of the content of chemical elements in soils. We summarized environmental legislation principles and actions in cases of exceeding soil quality standards. Comparing methodologically close legislations, the specificity of calculation of a soil quality standard should be taken into account. The standards for the content of chemical elements are differentiated depending on the properties of soils in Russia, Germany, China, and the Czech Republic; land use is taken into account in Canada, Germany, the Republic of South Africa, China (only for agricultural land), Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Synergism of negative effects on organisms in case of polyelemental contamination is taken into account in the standards of Russia for element pairs Mn + V and Hg + Pb and in the standards of the United States for all substances.

Apportionment of some chemical elements in soils around the coal mining area in northern Bangladesh and associated health risk assessment

This study focuses on the concentrations, distribution, pollution levels, and bioavailability of 12 trace elements in soils along 6 different railways in Japan. Three diesel powered railways and three electricity powered railways were chosen as target. Surface soils (<3cm) were collected in vicinity of railways for analysis. Digestion and extraction were performed before concentration and bioavailability analysis. Enrichment factor was applied to investigate contamination levels of selected elements. The mean concentrations of Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sn, and Pb in soil samples were higher than soil background value in Japan. Concentrations of trace elements in soils along different railway had different characteristics. Horizontal distribution of Cu, Zn, Cd, Sn, and Pb in soil samples showed obviously downtrend with distance along railways with high frequency. Concentrations of V, Mn, Fe, and Co were higher in soils along railways which pass through city center. According to principal component analysis and cluster analysis, concentrations of Cu, Zn, Sn, and Pb could be considered as the indicators of soil contamination level along electricity powered trains, whereas indicators along diesel powered trains were not clear. Enrichment factor analysis proved that operation of freight trains had impact on pollution level of Cr, Ni, and Cd. Bioavailability of Mn, Co, Zn, and Cd in soil along electricity-powered railways were higher, and bioavailability of Pb in railways located in countryside was lower. Thus, enrichment and bioavailability of trace elements can be indicators of railway-originated trace elements pollution in soil.