Macro- and Microelemental Distribution in Phaseolus Vulgaris L. Tissue Irrigated with Water with Varying Isotopic Compositions

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis study investigated the accumulation of macro-, micro-, and toxic elements in Phaseolus vulgaris tissues, including pods, leaves, stems, and roots, as a function of the isotopic composition of irrigation water. The novelty of the paper consists of the simulation of environmental conditions by varying the isotopic content of the water to verify the applicability of obtained results in different climatic areas (i.e., tropical and temperate regions) and the association between highly sensitive analytical techniques and chemometric methods to extract the maximum information from the measurements along with the evaluation of the absorption and translocation of heavy metals by the various plant tissues. The use of tap water for irrigation of P. vulgaris increased the concentrations of chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, and cadmium in the plants, especially in the stems and leaves. Cadmium accumulated in the leaves or stems but not in the pods. The roots and stems absorbed and accumulated cadmium using tropical water and deuterium-depleted water.