Phosphate fertilizers represent a major source of trace metal contaminants in agricultural soils. To predict the inputs and the fate of trace metals in soils of the eastern Mediterranean region, a speciation study was conducted using a total of 44 phosphate fertilizers commercialized in the area. The contents in major anions and potentially toxic metals (Zn, Pb, Cd, and Cu) were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF). The nature of mineral phases in the fertilizer was characterized using X‐ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. The results show that sulfates are the main Cd‐bearing phases when present in the P‐fertilizer. The contents in Zn and Pb were linearly related, whereas the levels of Sb, Ag, Pd, Nb, Mo, and P2O5 were strongly correlated to each other. The annual average inputs of Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd were calculated to be 922, 124, 26, and 6 g/ha per year, respectively. Even though such inputs comply with the maximal metals concentrations authorized in temperate countries, an accumulation of those metals in the typical arid and alkaline soils of the eastern Mediterranean countries is expected.

Soil compaction is known to drastically modify soil properties and hence to affect both plants growth and metals distribution in the soil. Phosphate amendment is generally used to improve plants production but unfortunately it also gives rise to higher metal contamination in soils and plants. In this study, the effects of various parameters on the growth of Lactuca sativa including soil density, phosphate fertilization and cadmium contamination, were investigated. In particular, the migration of cadmium in the soil columns, its accumulation and translocation in lettuces were also examined. Lactuca sativa was selected as a model plant because it is widely cultivated in alkaline clay soils of eastern Mediterranean countries. Two levels of soil compaction (1.2 and 1.4 g.cm-3), two rates of P amendment (0 and 109 mg P.kg-1), and two levels of Cd contamination (0 and 84 mg Cd.kg-1) were used in 24 model columns with a factorial randomized block experimental design. Soil compaction increased considerably both leaf area and dry weight of roots and shoots, whereas both chlorophyll content and NRA decreased. For the two soil bulk densities, the phosphate fertilizer improved lettuce growth characterized by plant height, dry matter, leaf number and NRA, whereas Cd contamination altered those parameters and increased the chlorophyll content. In soils contaminated with cadmium, the combination of compaction and phosphate fertilization resulted in a significant decrease in Cd migration along the soil columns. Cd uptake by plants increased in Cd treated soils; its accumulation was found to be more important than in plants grown in P-Cd treated soil where Cd uptake was clearly reduced in shoots and roots.