Content Of Risk Elements Research Articles

The effect of soil risk element contamination level on the element contents in Ocimum basilicum L.

Abstract Red basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) cv. Red Rubin was cultivated in model pot experiment in the soil amended by arsenic, cadmium and lead solutions in stepwise concentrations representing the soil concentration levels of former mining area in the vicinity of Příbram, Czech Republic. The element levels added to the soil reached up to 40 mg Cd, 100 mg As, and 2000 mg Pb per kg of soil. Moreover, essential macro-and microelements as well as cyanidine contents were investigated to assess their potential interactions with the risk elements. The extractable element portions in soils determined at the end of vegetation period differed according to the individual elements. Whereas the plant-available (extractable with 0.11M CH3COOH) content of Cd represented 70-100% of the added Cd, the mobile portion of Pb did not exceed 1%. The risk element content in plants reflected the increasing element contents in soil. The dominant element portions remained in plant roots indicating the limited translocation ability of risk elements to the aboveground biomass of this plant species. Although the risk element contents in amended plants significantly increased, no visible symptoms of phytotoxicity occurred. However, the effect of enhanced risk element contents on the essential element uptake was assessed. Considering inter-element relationships, elevated sulphur levels were seen in amended plants, indicating its possible role of phytochelatin synthesis in the plants. Moreover, the molybdenum contents in plant biomass dropped down with increasing risk element uptake by plants confirming As-Mo and Cd-Mo antagonism. The increasing content of cyanidine in the plant biomass confirmed possible role of anthocyanins in detoxification mechanism of risk element contaminated plants and suggested the importance of anthocyanin pigments for risk element tolerance of plants growing in contaminated areas.

Impact of Floods and Their Frequency on Content and Distribution of Risk Elements in Alluvial Soils

The aim of this study was to compare the pollution levels of risk elements in flooded and non- flooded alluvial soils as a function of inundation fre- quency and river distance, depth of soil horizon, and pollution origin. Totally, 43 soil profiles of flooded and non-flooded soils were sampled in two layers (topsoil and subsoil). The total contents of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn were measured and grouped according to the assumed geogenic or anthropogenic origin. Flooded soils were classified according to inun- dation stage/river distance. Concerning the depth gradi- ent, it can be concluded that the content of anthropo- genic risk elements decreased with the depth, while geogenic risk elements revealed no trend. The distance from the river had no influence on the distribution of anthropogenic risk elements in soil. On the contrary, geogenic risk elements showed increasing concentra- tions with increasing distance. These results indicate that frequency of floods has no influence on the risk elements distribution in soil. The process of sedimenta- tion seems to be the main factor influencing the level of pollution, it differs between groups of anthropogenic and geogenic risk elements. The result of this country- wide study shows higher levels of soil contamination in flooded areas even without significant point sources of pollution, than in non-flooded areas in standard agricul- tural conditions.

The Contents of Selected Risk Elements and Organic Pollutants in Soil and Vegetation within a Former Military Area

The contents of selected risk elements (As, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Sb, Ti, V, Zn), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and n-alkanes were determined in soils collected at the former military training base Milovice-Mladá (Czech Republic), where military activities were terminated in 1991. Seventeen soil samples were collected from the former tank shooting range called “Benátecký vrch” (area 16.2 ha) covered with herbaceous vegetation cover. No sample exceeding the threshold limits for maximum permissible limits of risk elements in soil was identified. The contents of organic pollutants in soil also did not pose a potential environmental risk. The risk element contents (especially Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in aboveground biomass of Dactylis glomerata (Poaceae), Hypericum perforatum (Hypericaceae), Galium verum (Rubiaceae), and Plantago lanceolata (Plantaginaceae) sampled close to the soil sampling points indicated, however, potential environmental damage originating from the municipal landfill covering a substantial part of the area since 1995.

Physico-chemical Variability of Alluvial Sediments in a Floodplain Area of the Downstream Vltava (Moldau) River in the Czech Republic after the Most Recent Catastrophic Flood in 2013

The physico-chemical parameters of the Fluvisols that have developed in long-term deposited river sediments at a depth of 0–10cm (topsoil) and 30–40cm (subsoil) were determined immediately after the catastrophic flood in 2013 across the area of Veltrusy Castle (290ha), which is situated in the inundation zone of the downstream Vltava River. We investigated the soil texture, the active and exchange reaction, the total electric conductivity, the content of total carbon and nitrogen, the available content (Mehlich 3) of selected nutrients (Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P and Zn), and the total content of risk elements (As, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb, V and Zn), for which the maximum allowed content in soils is laid down in the relevant legislation. An analysis was also made of a sample of the most recent coarse sandy-gravel mineral sediment and of the fine organic-clay sediment. A comparison was made between the data for topsoil affected by the most recent erosion and by the accumulation of sediments, on the one hand, and the subsoil, which was probably unaffected by this most recent flood. The comparison was made on woody plots (42), grassy plots (19) and ploughed field plots (31). The results showed that the most recent flood in the area had mainly affected the texture of the soil cover by accumulation of sandy-gravel sediments and to some extent the content of some elements present in organic clayey sediments. Surprisingly, it was detected a low effect of the most recent flood, and on the salinity and the content of total carbon, nitrogen and other elements.

Long-term effect of diet amended by risk elements contaminated soils on risk element penetration and physiological parameters of rats

The long-term accumulation of risk elements (As, Cd, Pb) originated from differently contaminated soils in rat organism was investigated during a model two-generation experiment. The effect of soil contamination level, gender, and length of exposure as well as the interactions between risk elements and selected essential macro- and microelements were studied. Rat diet contained 10% of individual soils (based on dry weight): (i) Fluvisol heavily polluted by As, Cd, Zn, and Pb, (ii) Luvisol contaminated by As, Cd, and Zn, and (iii) uncontaminated Chernozem. Male and female Wistar rats used for the experiment were housed in cages in a room with controlled temperature for 60 days and were fed ad libitum the mentioned diets. Subsequently, the pregnant females were continuously fed the experimental diet until weaning when the young animals were separated to male and female and fed the experimental diet till day 110 of age. The element contents in rat tissues reflected the risk element contents in contaminated soils. The bioaccessibility and bioavailability of the risk elements decreased in the order Cd>As>Pb and was affected by the soil physicochemical parameters. No significant differences were observed between male and female rats as well as between the first and the second generation. However, interactions were reported among the risk elements where the high cadmium content in Fluvisol resulted in increasing arsenic accumulation in the rat liver. Moreover, arsenic–copper interactions were observed where significant increase of the copper level was determined in kidney of the animals fed Luvisol exceeding 50-fold the maximum permissible limits for As content in agricultural soils. Among the hematological and biochemical characteristics of rats, total erythrocyte count (Er), hematocrit (Hct) increased confirming adverse effect of soil-derived risk elements especially in male rats.  

Effect of the diet amended with risk elements contaminated soil on risk elements content in tissues and hematological parameters of rats

 Penetration of rat organisms by risk elements (As, Cd, Pb) originated from differently contaminated soils as well as interactions between the risk elements and selected essential macro- and microelements were investigated. Rat diet contained 10% of individual soils (based on dry weight) which were: (i) Fluvisol heavily polluted by As, Cd, Zn, and Pb, (ii) Luvisol contaminated by As, Cd, and Zn, and (iii) uncontaminated Chernozem. Male Wistar rats used for the experiment were housed in cages in a room with controlled temperature for 60 days and fed ad libitum on the mentioned diet. The levels of both risk and essential elements were measured in liver, kidney, and bones of the animals and main biochemical parameters were determined to assess potential toxic effect of the soil-derived risk elements. Alternatively, in vitro Physio-<br />logically Based Bioavailability Test (PBET) was used for evaluation of the bioaccessible pool of elements in the soil-amended diets. The element contents in the rat tissues reflected the risk element contents in the contaminated soils. Bioaccessibility and bioavailability of the risk elements decreased in the order Cd > As > Pb and were influenced by the soil physicochemical parameters. Significant changes in essential elements (Cu, Fe, Mg, P) deposition in rat tissues attended the high levels of the risk elements. Total leukocyte count in the blood of the rats fed the heavy polluted soil indicated adverse effect of soil-derived risk elements on biochemical parameters of the animals.    

The effect of intensive traffic on soil and vegetation risk element contents as affected by the distance from a highway

The potential effect of intensive traffic on detrimental element contents in soil and vegetation was investigated in the vicinity of a selected section (1 km) of a highly frequented highway as affected by the distance from the roadway (1 m, 35 m, and 70 m). Aqua regia and 0.11 mol/L acetic acid soluble contents of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, and Zn in soils and total contents of these elements in the aboveground biomass of Achillea millefolium L. (Asteraceae) and Vicia cracca L. (Fabaceae) were determined. The main physicochemical parameters of the soils were determined, as well. The element contents did not exceed the maximum permissible limits for both soils and plants (evaluated as fodder crops). Moreover, high variability of element contents in soils and plants, and soil characteristics did not allow us to estimate the rate of potential effect of road traffic. Some of the elements however tightly related to atmospheric deposition caused by traffic such as Pb and Zn tended to decrease in soils with increasing distance from the roadway.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and risk elements in honey from the South Moravian region (Czech Republic)

The aim of this study was to determine the actual content of some exogenous contaminants in the honey from the South Moravian region of the Czech Republic. The content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and risk elements (Mercury - Hg, Cadmium - Cd, Lead - Pb, and Arsenic - As) in multifloral blossom and honey dew samples of honey were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography and atomic absorption spectroscopy methods. The samples were collected form beekeepers and from retail stores located in South Moravia in the Czech Republic. Concentrations of individual PAHs in honey samples ranged between 0.02 μg·kg-1–1.93 μg·kg-1. The limit of benzo[a]pyrene for infant formula (1.0 μg·kg-1) was not exceeded and fluoranthene was not quantified in any of the samples. Concentrations of Hg, Cd, and Pb were in the range of 3.24 μg·kg-1–11.31 μg·kg-1, 0.95 μg·kg-1–32.35 μg·kg-1, and 22.80 μg·kg-1–177.85 μg·kg-1, respectively. Concentration of As exceeded the detection limit only in three samples, ranging from 3.51 μg·kg-1 to 4.35 μg·kg-1. Acceptable limits for trace elements in infant formula were met. Results of this study complete present knowledge of the contaminant content in Czech honey and confirmed high quality and safety of honey from the South Moravian region.

The contents of risk elements, arsenic speciation, and possible interactions of elements and betalains in beetroot (Beta vulgaris, L.) growing in contaminated soil

Abstract The effect of enhanced soil risk element contents on the uptake of As, Cd, Pb, and Zn was determined in two pot experiments. Simultaneously, transformation of arsenic and its compounds in beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) plants was investigated. The mobile fractions of elements were determined in 0.05 mol L−1 (NH4)2SO4 extracts and did not exceed 2% of total soil arsenic, 9% of total cadmium, 3% of total lead, and 8% of total zinc, respectively. Although the soils were extremely contaminated the mobile portions of the elements represented only a small fragment of the total element content. Arsenic contents in beet plants reached up to 25 mg As kg−1 in roots and 48 mg As kg−1 in leaves in the soil characterized by the highest mobile arsenic portion. Arsenic portions extractable with water and phosphate buffer from the beetroot samples did not show significant differences between the extraction agents but the extractability was affected by the arsenic concentration. Arsenic was almost quantitatively extractable from the samples with the lowest total arsenic concentration, whereas in the samples with the highest total arsenic concentration less than 25% was extractable. Arsenate was the dominant arsenic compound in the extracts (70% in phosphate buffer, 50% in water extracts). A small portion of dimethylarsinic acid, not exceeding 0.5%, was detected only in the sample growing in the soil with the highest arsenic concentration. The role of betalains (betanin, isobetanin, vulgaxanthin I and vulgaxanthin II) in transformation/detoxification of arsenic in plants was not confirmed in this experiment because the plants were able to grow in the contaminated soil without any symptoms of arsenic toxicity.

PROBLEM OF RISK ELEMENTS ACCUMULATION IN CEREAL RAW MATERIALS AND FOODSTUFFS

Four kinds of cereals- wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), barley (Hordeum sativum L.), triticosecale (Triticosecale sativum L.) and oat (Avena sativa L) were taken from risk region of Slovakia in order to determine risk elements content in individual parts of grain. The results indicate significant differences in the content of the risk elements in four mill streams. Among observed cereals the highest content of risk metals decreased in order: oat>barley>triticosecale >spring wheat>winter wheat. Significant high contents of Pb and Cd were confirmed especially in some mill streams (MF III and MF IV) during all period of research. Results of baking trial confirmed there excess content of the same risk elements which were detected in mill products used for baking.

Variation in the uptake of Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, and Zinc by different species of willows Salix spp. grown in contaminated soils

AbstractThe experiment assessed the variability of in seven clones of willow plants of high biomass production (Salix smithiana S-218, Salix smithiana S-150, Salix viminalis S-519, Salix alba S-464, Salix ’Pyramidalis’ S-141, Salix dasyclados S-406, Salix rubens S-391). They were planted in a pots for three vegetation periods in three soils differing in the total content of risk elements. Comparing the calculated relative decrease of total metal contents in soils, the phytoextraction potential of willows was obtained for cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn), moderately contaminated Cambisol and uncontaminated Chernozem, where aboveground biomass removed about 30% Cd and 5% Zn of the total element content, respectively. The clones showed variability in removing Cd and Zn, depending on soil type and contamination level: S. smithiana (S-150) and S. rubens (S-391) demonstrated the highest phytoextraction effect for Cd and Zn. For lead (Pb) and arsenic (As), the ability to accumulate the aboveground biomass of willows was found to be negligible in both soils. The results confirmed that willow plants show promising results for several elements, mainly for mobile ones like cadmium and zinc in moderate levels of contamination. The differences in accumulation among the clones seemed to be affected more by the properties of clones, not by the soil element concentrations or soil properties. However, confirmation and verification of the results in field conditions as well as more detailed investigation of the mechanisms of cadmium uptake in rhizosphere of willow plants will be determined by further research.

Mineral nutrition in relation to the Norway spruce forest decline in the region Horny Spis (Northern Slovakia)

In this contribution we present the results of analyses of selected mineral nutrients in assimilatory tissues of spruce trees at different developmental phases (plants, adult trees) in the region Horný Spiš. The very close connection between mineral nutrient cycling and other physiological processes in the plants has been well recognised. The presented analyses of mineral nutrient cycling were done within comprehensive eco-physiological research assessing the physiology and health status of spruce stands in the study area. The research was conducted directly in the stand (Hliníky locality, Horný Spiš − two research plots: 1. plot with spruce stand in advanced decline, 2. control plot − without visible decline symptoms) and, at the same time as a pot experiment. The objective of the pot experiment was to verify the supposed negative influence of soil environment (in the locality with advanced decline of spruce stands) on the growth of spruce trees and their mineral nutrient conditions. The analyses of the material sampled from the stands revealed high amounts of manganese (MnT) that were in the toxicity range on both examined plots. Another negative finding was high amounts of toxic aluminium, primarily in needles of adult trees growing on the plot with symptoms of acute stand decline. This reflects a very low value of pH/H<sub>2</sub>O − 3.7 (pH/KCl − 3 to 2.8) and total exhaustion of the soil suffering, moreover, from the lack of soil water. As for the differences in amounts of individual macronutrients between the plot with intensive decline and the control plot, no significant differences were found, with the exception of Fe. On the other hand, evident significant differences in risk elements Pb, Hg and Al were found. As for the differences in nutrient contents in spruce seedlings in the pot experiment (variants 1 to 6), we can see significant differences in macronutrient contents (N, P, Ca, K, Mn), in some cases also in risk element contents (Al).