Lower Bioaccumulation Factors Research Articles

Study of the Toxicity and Translocation of Chromium (VI) in Vicia faba Plant.

In soil, chromium can be found in two main valence forms: hexavalent Cr (VI) and trivalent Cr (III). In terms of toxicity, the most toxic form to plants is Cr (VI). In the present study, we investigated the impact of Cr (VI) (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100ppm) on growth, physiological parameters and the translocation kinetics of Cr (VI) in the faba bean plant (Vicia faba L.). The results showed that Cr (VI) negatively affects growth parameters (-15% to -72%), tolerance index (-34.05% to -64.7%), and reduce the total chlorophyll content (until 40%) compared to control plants without Cr (VI). However, the increase of Cr (VI) concentration in the soil, stimulated the synthesis of sugars (max 6,97mg/g FM), proteins (max 62.89µg/mg FM) and proline (max 98.57µg/mg FM) and increased the electrolyte leakage (+ 2.5% to + 9%) compared to control plants. Cr (VI) concentrations in shoots and roots increased significantly for all Cr (VI) doses applied. The translocation factor results showed that the majority of the Cr (VI) absorbed by the plant is stored in the roots, with a very low bioaccumulation factor, which does not exceed 0.4. The findings show that Cr (VI) negatively affects the morpho-physiological parameters of Vicia faba, the bioaccumulation of organic solutes and the low bioaccumulation factor of Cr (VI) can be considered as a strategy of tolerance to Cr(V).

Laboratory-Derived Bioaccumulation Kinetic Parameters for Four Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Freshwater Mussels.

Although freshwater mussels are imperiled and identified as key conservation priorities, limited bioaccumulation information is available on these organisms for contaminants of emerging concern. In the present study we investigated the bioaccumulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the model freshwater pond mussel Sagittunio subrostratus because mussels provide important ecosystem services and are important components of aquatic systems where PFAS occur. In the present study we selected four representative perfluorinated carboxylic acids and sulfonic acids, then determined the bioaccumulation kinetics of freshwater mussels in a controlled laboratory study. Because uptake (ku ) and elimination (ke ) rate constants and time to steady state are important parameters for food web bioaccumulation models, we derived bioaccumulation kinetic parameters following exposure to perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) at 10 µg/L and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA) at 1 µg/L during a 14-day uptake period followed by a 7-day elimination period. Kinetic and ratio-based bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) were subsequently calculated, for example ratio-based BAFs for mussel at day 7 were determined for PFHxS (0.24 ± 0.08 L/kg), PFOS (7.73 ± 1.23 L/kg), PFDA (4.80 ± 1.21 L/kg), and PFUnDA (84.0 ± 14.4 L/kg). We generally observed that, for these four model PFAS, freshwater mussels have relatively low BAF values compared with other aquatic invertebrates and fish. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:1190-1198. © 2023 SETAC. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.

Transport and transformation of perfluoroalkyl acids, isomer profiles, novel alternatives and unknown precursors from factories to dinner plates in China: New insights into crop bioaccumulation prediction and risk assessment

Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are contaminants of global concern, and the inadvertent consumption of PFAA-contaminated crops may pose a threat to public health. Therefore, systematically studying their source tracing, bioaccumulation prediction and risk assessments in crops is an urgent priority. This study investigated the source apportionment and transport of PFAAs and novel fluorinated alternatives (collectively as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFASs) from factories to agricultural fields in a fluorochemical industrial region of China. Furthermore, bioaccumulation specificities and prediction of these chemicals in different vegetables were explored, followed by a comprehensive risk assessment from agricultural fields to dinner plates which considered precursor degradation. A positive matrix factorization model revealed that approximately 70 % of PFASs in agricultural soils were derived from fluorochemical manufacturing and metal processing. Alarming levels of ∑PFASs ranged 8.28–84.3 ng/g in soils and 163–7176 ng/g in vegetables. PFAS with short carbon chain or carboxylic acid group as well as branched isomers exhibited higher environmental transport potentials and bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) across a range of vegetables. The BAFs of different isomers of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) decreased as the perfluoromethyl group moved further from the acid functional group. Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (GenX) showed relatively low BAFs, probably related to its ether bond with a high affinity to soil. Vegetables with fewer Casparian strips (e.g., carrot and radish), or more protein, possessed larger BAFs of PFASs. A bioaccumulation equation integrating critical parameters of PFASs, vegetables and soils, was built and corroborated with a good contamination prediction. After a total oxidizable precursors (TOP) assay, incremental perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) were massively found (325–5940 ng/g) in edible vegetable parts. Besides, precursor degradation and volatilization loss of PFASs was firstly confirmed during vegetable cooking. A risk assessment based on the TOP assay was developed to assist the protection of vegetable consumers.

Phytoremediation of nickel and zinc using Jatropha curcas and Pongamia pinnata from the soils contaminated by municipal solid wastes and paper mill wastes

The primary source of soil pollution is a complex mixture of numerous inorganic and organic compounds (including chlorinated compounds, nutrients, and heavy metals, etc.). The presence of all of these compounds makes remediation and cleanup difficult. In this study, the phytoremediation ability of Jatropha curcas and Pongamia pinnata was tested to remove nickel (Ni) and Zinc (Zn) from paper mill and municipal landfill contaminated soils, to understand the uptake potential and to estimate the accumulation pattern of Ni and Zn in the vegetative parts of the plant. The experiments were carried out in pots (3 kg capacity) and the different combinations of soil were made by mixing the contaminated soil with a reference soil (forest soil) as T0, T25, T50, T75 and T100. The plant biomass, chlorophyll content, proline, nitrate reductase activity and metal removal efficiency (%)were determined after 120 DAS (i.e., the days after sowing). The results of the study showed that with increasing metal stress, there is a reduction in the above-ground biomass content in both the plant species with a slightly less impact on the root biomass. Over a period of 4 months, J. curcas and P. pinnata removed 82–86% and 93-90% Ni, respectively. The removal of Zn was significantly less as compared to Ni as most of the Zn remained in the belowground part (roots) and in the soil. Besides, the phytostabilization capacities of the plants were calculated on the basis of their tolerance index (TI), bioaccumulation factor (BAF) and translocation factor (TF). The low BAF and TF values with increasing heavy metals (HMs) content indicates its higher phytostabilization capacity in the root and rhizospheric region as compared to phytoaccumulation.

Phytoremediation potential of indigenous plants growing in soils affected by mine activities in Gejiu City, Yunnan Province

Indigenous plants growing in mining spoils for phytoremediation have attracted great interest. To search the suitable plants, six plant species popular in the mine slag heaps of Gejiu City were collected and metal concentrations in plants and rhizosphere soils were analyzed. Results showed that the soils were greatly influenced by mine activities and heavy metal contents in plants were dependent upon those in the rhizosphere soils. However, the adaptation strategies varied among them. Bothriochloa ischcemum (Linn.) Keng and Equisetum ramosissimum Desf. had the Cr bioaccumulation factor (BAF) of 1.48 and 1.34, respectively, even though the rhizosphere soils were not contaminated by Cr. However, B. ischaemum and Agave americana Linn. showed the BAF for Pb, Zn Cu and Sn < 1.0, and Cyperus rotundus Linn. showed the similarly low BAF for Zn and Cu. Therefore, the three species had a great tolerance to phytostabilize these metals. Gymnema sylvestre (Retz.) Schult showed the translocation factor (TF) > 1.0 for Pb, Cu and Sn, so translocating these metals to the aboveground parts would be a feasible option. Similarly, Euphorbia cyathophora Murr. demonstrated the high phytotranslocate capacity for Cd and Sn, so it could be employed to remedy Cd and Sn-contaminated soils.

Bioaccumulation and biomagnification of emerging poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances in marine organisms

Accumulating evidence has demonstrated the wide environmental presence of 6:2 chlorinated polyfluoroalkyl ether sulfonates (6:2 Cl-PFAES) and p-perfluorous nonenoxybenzene sulfonate (PFNOBS). However, data on the bioaccumulation and trophic magnification of these emerging poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in subtropical marine environment is still limited. In this study, seawater (n = 17), sediment (n = 14), and marine organism (27 species; n = 177) samples were collected from East China Sea, and analyzed them for legacy and emerging PFASs. Besides perfluoroalkyl carboxylates and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), 6:2 Cl-PFAES was always among the predominant PFASs detected in seawater, sediment, and marine organism. For emerging PFASs, 6:2 Cl-PFAES (mean ± SD, 3.1 ± 0.17), 8:2 Cl-PFAES (3.3 ± 0.35), and PFNOBS (3.3 ± 0.19) had lower bioaccumulation factors (BAF) than PFOS (3.4 ± 0.22) in marine fish. In crab, PFNOBS (3.7 ± 0.33) had a lower biota-sediment accumulation factor (BSAF) than PFOS (3.9 ± 0.45). In snail, among all detected PFASs, PFNOBS (4.0 ± 0.42) had the highest mean log BSAF value. 8:2 Cl-PFAES consistently had a higher log BSAF value than 6:2 Cl-PFAES in snail and crab. Notably, these differences in BAF and BSAF are not significant. Among PFASs, 6:2 Cl-PFAES (2.3; 95 % confidence interval, CI: 1.9–2.6) displayed the highest trophic magnification factor (TMF). PFNOBS had the lowest TMF value (1.8, 95 % CI: 1.4–2.1), but which still indicates its weak biomagnification through the current marine food web. This is the first study reporting the bioaccumulation and biomagnification of PFNOBS in marine organisms, which deepens the understanding of its environmental behavior in the marine ecosystem.

Study on Safe Usage of Agricultural Land in Typical Karst Areas Based on Cd in Soil and Maize: A Case Study of Northwestern Guizhou, China

Cadmium (Cd) is an unnecessary dietary toxin that is harmful to human health. The Cd translocation in soil-crops system varies greatly depending on different soil matrices; therefore, a valuable method that could accurately evaluate soil Cd thresholds needs to be proposed immediately. In the southwestern part of China, a typical karst mountainous area of east Asia, the results of our survey of 492 soil-maize samples in the region showed high Cd accumulation in the soil, with concentrations ranging from 0.07 to 31.95 mg kg−1. The Cd concentrations in maize kernels planted in those fields, however, were quite low, and only 4 samples exceeded the national standard. A comparative study with nonkarst areas revealed a low bioaccumulation factor for soil Cd. This may be interpreted as the weathering soil-forming process of mineral-bearing rock systems, leading to high accumulation as well as low bioavailability of Cd in karst soils. A total of 172 soil-maize samples were evaluated inaccurately by the national standard evaluation procedure, accounting for 34.96% of the total. Therefore, we proposed the species sensitivity distribution model to address this inaccurate assessment. The results show that the hazardous concentrations of 95% and 5% in maize fields were 2.2 and 85.1 mg kg−1 for soil pH ≤ 5.5, 2.5 and 108.5 mg kg−1 for 5.5 &lt; pH ≤ 6.5, and 3.0 and 161.8 mg kg−1 for 6.5 &lt; pH ≤ 7.5, respectively. The total number of unsuitable samples according to the evaluation results decreased from 172 to 2 after modification. Therefore, this result could be considered a more accurate assessment threshold.

Simulation modelling the structure related bioaccumulation and biomagnification of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in aquatic food web

Until now, there is no bioaccumulation model to predict bioaccumulation of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in aquatic organisms due to their unique amphiphilic properties. For the first time, protein contents instead of lipid contents of organisms were used in bioaccumulation models to predict the concentrations and reveal the accumulation mechanisms of PFASs in various aquatic organisms, based on the available data. Comparison between the modeled and measured results indicated the models were promising to predict the PFAS concentrations in the fishes at different trophic levels very well, as well as their bioaccumulation factors (BAF) and trophic magnification factors (TMF) of PFASs in fish. Both water and sediment are important exposure sources of PFASs in aquatic organisms. As the two main uptake pathways, the contribution of gill respiratory decreases while that of dietary intake increases with the chain length of PFASs increasing. Fecal excretion and gill respiration are the main pathways for fish to eliminate PFASs, and their relative contributions increase and decrease respectively with chain length. The short-chain (C6–C8) perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are greatly eliminated via gill respiratory quickly, leading to their very low BAFs. As the carbon chain length increases, dietary intake becomes dominant in the uptake, while elimination is mainly through fecal excretion with relatively low rates, especially in the fishes with high protein contents. For the very long chain (C12–C16) PFASs, they are very difficult to excrete with a low total elimination rate constant (ke = 0.463–0.743 d−1), thus leading to their high BAFs and TMFs. The high intake rate but low elimination rate, as well as the high water and sediment concentrations together contribute to the highest accumulated concentration perfluorooctane sulfonic acid in the fish of Taihu Lake.

The Properties of Black Locust Robinia pseudoacacia L. to Selectively Accumulate Chemical Elements from Soils of Ecologically Transformed Areas

The black locust Robinia pseudoacacia L. is a common species that originated from North America. In Europe, it is an invasive and introduced plant. Due to its low habitat requirements and ecological plasticity, this species colonizes new anthropogenically transformed areas quickly. This study investigated the chemical composition of selected tissues of Robinia pseudoacacia L. in five various habitats with different levels of anthropopression conditions in southern Poland. The presented research aimed to compare the chemical composition of black locust parts tissues (leaves, branches, and seeds) and the soil under its canopy. To determine the heavy metal contamination and enrichment in soil, the geoaccumulation index, enrichment factor, contamination factor, pollution load index, and potential ecological risk index were calculated. The results showed that all examined soils are considerably or very highly contaminated and the main heavy metals, which pollute the studied samples, are cadmium (1.3–3.91 ppm), lead (78.17–157.99 ppm), and zinc (129.77–543.97 ppm). Conducted research indicates that R. pseudoacacia leaves are the primary carrier of potentially toxic elements. Due to low bioaccumulation factor (BAF) values, it is clear that black locusts do not accumulate contaminants in such amounts that it would pose risk to its use in degraded area reclamation. The obtained results showed that R. pseudoacacia is able to grow in a wide range of habitats and could be applied for greening urban habitats and disturbed ecosystems caused by industry.

Assessment of the Environmental Impact of Acid Mine Drainage on Surface Water, Stream Sediments, and Macrophytes Using a Battery of Chemical and Ecotoxicological Indicators

Mining activities at the Portuguese sector of the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB) have been responsible for the pollution of water, sediments, and biota, caused by the acid mine drainage (AMD) from the tailing deposits. The impact has been felt for years in the rivers and streams receiving AMD from the Aljustrel mine (SW sector of the IPB, Portugal), such as at the Água Forte stream, a tributary of the Roxo stream (Sado and Mira Hydrographic Region). To evaluate the extent of that environmental impact prior to the remediation actions, surface water, sediments, and the macrophyte Scirpus holoschoenus L. were sampled at the Água Forte and the Roxo streams, upstream and downstream from the confluence. The surface water and the sediments were extremely acidic at the Água Forte stream (pH ranges 2.22–2.92 for the water and 2.57–3.32 for the sediment), with high As, Cu, Pb, and Zn concentrations of 2.1, 120, 0.21, and 421 mg kg−1, respectively, in the water, and 661, 1746, 539, and 1994 mg kg−1, respectively, in the sediment, in the location closer to the mine. Two aquatic bioassays evidenced the high ecotoxicity of the Água Forte water at that site, with very low EC50 values for Vibrio fischeri luminescence inhibition (&lt;3.1% v/v) and Daphnia magna 48-hour immobilization/mortality assays (&lt;6.3% v/v). The impact of the AMD was also evident in the sediments of the Roxo stream, but not so marked in the water, with circa neutral pH and lower As, Cu, Pb, and Zn concentrations. Consistently, the ecotoxicological response was only felt in the sampling point closer to the confluence of the Água Forte with the Roxo stream, with an EC20 of 27.0% (v/v) towards the V. fischeri. One of the dominant and well adapted macrophytes, S. holoschoenus L., presented low bioaccumulation factors for Cu (0.04) and Zn (0.15) in their emerging parts, and very low concentrations for As and Pb, making this plant a potential candidate to be used in phytoremediation actions to treat and control AMD in the IPB.

Mobility, ecotoxicity, bioaccumulation and sources of trace elements in the bottom sediments of the Ro\u017cn\xf3w reservoir

The aim of the study was to use of geochemical, chemical, ecotoxicological and biological indicators for a comprehensive assessment of ecological risks related to the mobility, ecotoxicity and bioavailability of trace elements in the bottom sediment of the Rożnów reservoir. The study found three elements deserving attention in the sediments: cadmium, nickel and chromium. Cadmium proved to be the most mobile and bioavailable, although the total cadmium content and geochemical indicators did not reveal any risk to organisms. Geochemical indicators showed that the sediments are contaminated with nickel and chromium, but both elements had a low bioaccumulation factor. Fractional analysis also revealed relatively low mobility of Cr and Ni and a higher potential risk of bioavailability for nickel. Most of the tested sediment samples had low toxicity in relation to the tested organisms. For H. incongruens, 11% of the samples were non-toxic, 50% of the samples had low toxicity, and 39% of the samples were toxic. For A. fischeri, no toxicity was found in 7% of the samples, low toxicity in 76% of the samples and toxicity in 17% of the sediment samples. The As, Cd, Cu content in the F1 fraction correlated significantly positively with the content of these metals in mussel tissues. Both biotesting and chemical analysis can reveal a potential risk to aquatic organisms. For a real assessment of the ecological risks associated with trace elements, it is necessary to use bioindicators taken from the environment and exposed to trace elements in situ.

Accumulation of Heavy Metals and As in the Fern Blechnum orientale L. from Guangdong Province, Southern China

Blechnum orientale L. is a traditional, medicinal fern found in China. To assess the characteristics of heavy metals and As accumulation, the fronds, roots, and the rooting soils of this fern were sampled from urban, suburban, and rural woodlands across Guangdong Province in southern China. The concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn in both the fern and its rooting soils were separately detected by ICP-MS. Contamination levels of woodland rooting soils were also assessed using both a single pollution index and the Nemerow pollution index. Both the metal concentrations and the pollution index showed that soils from urban, suburban, and even rural woodlands were adversely contaminated by As, Cd, Hg, and Pb. Based on transfer factor, B. orientale had good translocation of As, Hg, and Mn, but poor translocation of Cd, Cr, Ni, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn from the roots to the fronds. This result suggests that this fern could be an excluder to latter metals. Despite the significantly higher levels of metals in the roots as compared with the fronds, the low bioaccumulation factor suggests that this fern has a weak capacity for metal accumulation.

Assessment of Alternanthera sessilis and Aster philippinensis as excluders in a small-scale Cu-Au processing site at Kias, Benguet, Philippines.

In unregulated mining and processing for Cu and Au, large amounts of heavy metals and metalloids are generated as tails. These wasted by-products could actually pose serious environmental problems. The objective of this study was to assess the potential ability of Alternanthera sessilis and Aster philippinensis thriving abundantly in a small-scale mine processing site at Kias, Benguet, for possible Cu, Pb, Zn, and As uptake. It also aimed to determine the cellular localization of the contaminants within the plant biomass. Alternanthera sessilis and Aster philippinensis exhibited low bioaccumulation factor (BF) and translocation factor (TF) values for Cu, Pb, Zn, and As. The BF and TF values could suggest possible exclusion mechanisms of the plants in avoiding phytotoxicity. SEM-EDX analysis of the Alternanthera sessilis roots indicated higher weight % of Cu, Pb, and As in the epidermis, and Zn in the cortex. On the other hand, Aster philippinensis roots showed high weight % of Zn and As in the epidermis and Cu and Pb in the cortex. The localization of the contaminants in the root epidermal and cortical cells signifies restriction of their mobility to the xylem, preventing migration to the shoot system. The findings of this study suggest that Alternanthera sessilis and Aster philippinensis are considered potential phytostabilizers capable of immobilizing contaminant toxicity in the soil and in the rhizosphere.

Remediation potential of early successional pioneer species Chenopodium album and Tripleurospermum inodorum

Remediation with plants is a technology used to decrease soil or water contamination. In this study we assessed the remediation potential of two weed species (Chenopodium album and Tripleurospermum inodorum) in a moderately metal-contaminated area. Metal concentrations were studied in roots, stems and leaves, in order to assess correlations in metal concentrations between those in soil and plants. Furthermore, we calculated bioaccumulation factor (BAF), bioconcentration factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF) values to study the accumulation of metals from soil to plants and translocation within plants. We found correlation in metal concentrations between soil and plants. The metal accumulation potential was low in both species, indicating low BAF and BCF values. In contrast, high TF values were found for Mn, Ni, Sr, Zn, Ba, Fe, Cu and Pb in C. album, and for Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn and Sr in T. inodorum. Our results demonstrated that the potential of C. album and T. inodorum might be limited in phytoextraction processes; however, when accumulated, metals are successfully transported to aboveground plant organs. Thus, to achieve the efficient remediation of metal-contaminated soils, removal of the aboveground plant organs is recommended, by which soil disturbance can also be avoided.

Comparative partition coefficients of BTEX and OCPs between host Synodontis clarias and parasite Wenyonia acuminata

BackgroundThe study was aimed at comparing the bioaccumulation of BTEX and organochlorine pesticides (OCP) in the intestine of host fish—Synodontis clarias relative to water and in its parasite—Wenyonia acuminata relative to host intestine. The study was carried out in Lekki lagoon, Nigeria, between April and August, 2017. BTEX was analyzed in water, fish, and parasite tissues using the EPA method 8260B Agilent 7890B gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrophotometer (GC-MS). Organochlorophosphate (OCP) was analyzed in tested media using Agilent 7890B gas chromatograph coupled to flame ionization detector (FID).ResultsHigh concentrations of most BTEX components such as benzene, toluene, chlorobenzene, ethylbenzene, meta- and para-xylene (m + p-xylene), and ortho-xylene (o-xylene) bioaccumulated into the intestinal tissues of S. clarias from the water medium. This is partly attributable to the fact that the S. clarias is a detritus and bottom feeder and to the hydrophilic properties of the components of BTEX. Despite the significant concentrations of benzene, toluene, and chlorobenzene accumulated in the intestine of S. clarias, no intestine-parasite partition coefficient was observed in the W. acuminata, i.e., the chemicals were not accumulated by the intestinal parasite. This is attributable to very low bioaccumulation factors of the chemicals in W. acuminata. W. acuminata exhibited significant bioaccumulation of 4,4-DDT, endosulfan 1, aldrin, and heptachlor, irrespective of their concentrations in the water and intestine of S. clarias. This indicates high affinity for the OCPs in the parasites.ConclusionSynodontis clarias of Lekki lagoon showed higher vulnerability to the BTEX than the OCPs in the aquatic habitat. This implies that Lekki lagoon was impacted by oil-related anthropogenic activities. Weyonia acuminata exhibited some tendency to alleviate concentrations of the OCPs in S. clarias. It is more imperative to mitigate the activities that release BTEX into the aquatic environment.

Trace Elements in Pleurotus Ostreatus, P. Eryngii, and P. Nebrodensis Mushrooms Cultivated on Various Agricultural By-Products

Mushrooms are efficient accumulators of essential and toxic elements. Although oyster (Pleurotus spp.) mushrooms are widely commercialized and consumed, few data exist regarding trace elements content and bioaccumulation in cultivated P. ostreatus and P. eryngii, while no data are available for P. nebrodensis. The contents of Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, V, and Zn were monitored using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and atomic emission spectrometry (AES) in P. ostreatus, P. eryngii, and P. nebrodensis mushrooms and their cultivation substrates that include wheat straw (WHS), grape marc (GMC), olive leaves (OLV), and two-phase olive mill wastes (OMW), separately or in mixtures. Bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) less than 0.3 were obtained for Al, Ba, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, and V; BAFs exceeding 1 for K > Zn > Cd > Cr > Rb > As, while the BAFs for Na were less 0.7. Mushrooms grown on OLV and OMW presented lower BAFs than those grown on WHS and GMC for all elements except for K, Cd, and Cu. P. ostreatus was an effective accumulator for Cr, Fe, and Zn; P. eryngii for Al, Cs, Ni, and V; and P. nebrodensis for As and Cd. The estimated daily intakes (μg kg−1 body weight) from mushroom consumption were less than 0.010 for As, Cd, Co, Cs, Pb, and V, 0.010–0.10 for Ba, Cr, Ni, and Sr, 0.10–5.0 for Al, Cu, Fe, Mn, Rb, and Zn, 65–83 for Na, and 858–1030 for K. Overall, the mushrooms studied provide significant amounts of K, adequate amounts of Mn and Zn and low amounts of Na and toxic elements.

The Investigation of Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Seasonal Freeze-Thaw Rivers During Spring Flood Period: A Case Study in Songhua River and Yalu River, China.

The occurrence of 15 perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in water, sediments, and fish from Songhua River and Yalu River in Jilin Province, Northeast China, during their spring flood period were investigated for the first time. The short-chain perfluorobutanoic acid was the dominant PFAS in the water with the mean concentrations of 10ngL-1 in Songhua River and 9.0ngL-1 in Yalu River, and also dominant in sediments with the mean concentrations of 2.0 and 1.8ngg-1 dry weight. Perfluorodecane sulfonate was the predominant compound in fish. The detected frequencies and concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid were very low in the water, sediments, and fish. Low detected frequencies and concentrations of long-chain PFASs led to relative low sediment-water partition coefficients and bioaccumulation factors. The concentration levels of PFASs in the two rivers were lower than those in other major rivers in China.

Irrigation with Treated Municipal Wastewater on Artichoke Crop: Assessment of Soil and Yield Heavy Metal Content and Human Risk

Industrial and municipal wastewaters are often used for irrigating agricultural fields in arid and semi-arid countries, representing the most attractive option to alleviate pressure on fresh-water resources. However, the wastewater may contain various potentially toxic elements and organic matters with highly harmful effects on human and animal health. During two growing seasons of globe artichoke, the effects of irrigation with secondary (SWW) and tertiary (TWW) municipal wastewater on heavy metal soil and plant content were evaluated, together with the consequent human risk from artichoke head consumption. The heavy metal contents (i.e., Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Mn) of the irrigation water, soil, plant, and yield were analyzed. Total and extractable heavy metals were quantified to determine the bioaccumulation factors, and the health risks to adults and children were determined according to hazard indices. The heavy metal contents of the artichoke heads harvested after SWW and TWW irrigation were lower than the international threshold values, and low bioaccumulation factors suggested that these heavy metals did not accumulate in the edible part of the artichoke crop. The hazard indices that were based on the consumption of the artichoke heads remained &lt;1.0 for both adults and children, thus indicating that the health risks involving the different heavy metals are not significant.

Translocation of Trace Elements from Sewage Sludge Amendments to Plants in a Reclaimed Area.

The goal of the study was to evaluate bioaccumulation of trace elements in plants grown in post-mining soils amended with the biosolids material. Phaseolus vulgaris was investigated on the laboratory scale, and a mixture of grasses, Melilotus albus, Beta vulgaris, Zea mays L. and Miscanthus × giganteus were evaluated on the field scale. The results of the research showed that P. vulgaris fertilized with the Carbocrash substrate was able to grow. In addition, growth was enhanced following stimulation with gibberellic acid. Transfer of trace elements should be evaluated on the plot scale. Therefore, we monitored the level of trace elements on an experimental plot in a reclaimed area. Crops plants were sown in multi-year periods. During the growing season the mixture of grasses and crop plants had a low bioaccumulation factor, which also showed a positive effect of fertilization with the Carbocrash substrate.

Phytostabilization of metals by indigenous riparian vegetation

Given the increasing pressure of man-made activities on riparian zones, the capacity of the riparian vegetation along the Upper Olifants River, South Africa, to phytoextract and phytostabilize aluminium (Al), manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) from the soil was investigated. The aim of the study was to gain better understanding of the capacity of indigenous vegetation in riparian zones to immobilize metals in the soil, thereby improving river water quality and ecosystem services. Seven commonly-occurring pollution-tolerant riparian plant species were evaluated to establish their potential as bioaccumulators for Fe, Al and Mn. Species included: Cyperus haspan, Schoenoplectus corymbosus, Typha capensis, Phragmites australis, Cynodon dactylon, Cyperus marginatus and Juncus effusus, which were sampled in five riparian areas in the Upper Olifants catchment. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) for Mn was &gt; 1 for all species investigated with a maximum of 5 for Typha capensis, which also showed the highest accumulation of Al (10.26) and Fe (7.03). The remaining species presented with Al and Fe BCF between 0.11 and 2.00, with minimal transfer from root to shoot. When measured against an ideal hypothetical buffer zone, the buffer zones under investigation varied between intact and severely compromised. Intact riparian zones showed elevated metal concentrations in the soil, yet significantly lower concentrations in the river water compared to areas with insufficient vegetative cover. A polluted riparian area overgrown by P. australis effectively phytoextracted 204 960 g/m2 Al, 204 400 g/m2 Fe and 27 887 g/m2 Mn. The two indigenous Cyperus spp. were not ideal for metal immobilization with low bioaccumulation and transfer factors as well as low biomass. High biomass and Al, Fe and Mn phytostabilizing species: P. australis, T. capensis, S. corymbosus and J. effusus, should be considered in the rehabilitation of South African buffer areas.Keywords: riparian vegetation, heavy metals, acid mine drainage, phytostabilization, bioaccumulation