Assessing phytotoxicity and accumulation of trace elements to Lactuca sativa of a contaminated shooting range soil

Abstract

Shooting range soil contamination with heavy metals is a common problem around the world. Usually, lead is the primary contaminant in the shooting ranges. Extreme concentrations of trace elements create a toxic living environment for various plants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect on lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) grown in contaminated shooting range soil. The results showed that physiological parameters root elongation, shoot length and fresh biomass per plant were negatively affected, especially in the most contaminated site in the shooting range. At the most contaminated shooting range site shoots accumulated higher concentrations of Ni and Zn, roots – Cu, Ni, and Zn. The roots of plants grown in the most contaminated soil accumulated significantly higher concentrations of Cu, Ni, and Sb than the reference and accumulation of Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Sb and Zn in the roots of the plants grown in the most contaminated site was higher compared to shoots. Bioaccumulation factor of Cu and Ni in plants from the most contaminated site was significantly higher than the reference. Metals absorbed by L. sativa were accumulated in root and lower metal translocation in shoots was determined, except for Mn.