Factors affecting accumulation of thallium and other trace elements in two wild Brassicaceae spontaneously growing on soils contaminated by tailings dam waste

Soil amendment by phosphogypsum (PG) application becomes of increasing importance in agriculture. This may lead, however, to soil, plant, and groundwater contamination with trace elements (TEs) inherently present in PG. Monitoring of selected TEs (Pb, Zn, Cu, and Cd) distribution and mobility in a Mediterranean red soil profile has been performed in soil parcels applied with PG over a 16-month period. Concentrations were measured in soil and plant samples collected from various depth intervals at different points in time. TEs sequential extraction was performed on soil and PG samples. Results showed soil profile enrichment peaked 5 months after PG application for Cd, and 12 months for Pb, Zn, and Cu. Rainwater, pH, total organic carbon, and cationic exchange capacity were the main controlling factors in TEs accumulation in soils. Cd was transferred to a soil depth of about 20 cm. Zn exhibited mobility towards deeper layers. Pb and Cu were accumulated in around 20-55-cm-deep layers. PG increased the solubility of the studied TEs; PG-applied soils contained TEs bound to exchangeable and acid-soluble fractions in higher percentages than reference soil. Pb, Zn, and Cu were sorbed into mineral soil phases, while Cd was mainly found in the exchangeable (bio-available) form. The order of TEs decreasing mobility was Zn > Cd > Pb > Cu. Roots and leaves of existed plants, Cichorium intybus L., accumulated high concentrations of Cd (1-2.4 mg/kg), exceeding recommended tolerable levels, and thus signifying potential health threats through contaminated crops. It was therefore recommended that PG should be applied in carefully established, monitored, and controlled quantities to agricultural soils.

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“…In fact, Zn is a micronutrient whose absorption was closely regulated by plants (Madejon et al 2007). …”

Section: Tes Transfer From Soil To C Intybusmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mobility of selected trace elements in Mediterranean red soil amended with phosphogypsum: experimental study

Kassir

Darwish

Shaban

et al. 2011

Environ Monit Assess

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“…In the case of sunflower (H. annuus) fruits, concentrations were 0.24 and 112 mg kg −1 for Cd and Zn, respectively (Madejón et al 2003), and for Hirschfeldia incana fruits, they were 0.18 and 74.8 mg kg −1 for Cd and Zn, respectively (Madejón et al 2007). These concentrations were much lower in the case of the tree holm oak (Quercus ilex): Their fruits accumulated concentrations of 0.02 mg kg −1 Cd and 20 mg kg −1 of Zn (Madejón et al 2006).…”

Section: Sitementioning

confidence: 98%

Effects of soil contamination by trace elements on white poplar progeny: seed germination and seedling vigour

Madejón

Cantos

Jiménez-Ramos

et al. 2015

Environ Monit Assess

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Seed germination is considered a critical phase in plant development and relatively sensitive to heavy metals. White poplar (Populus alba) trees tend to accumulate Cd and Zn in their tissues. We tested if soil contamination can affect P. alba progeny, reduced seed germination and explored the distribution of mineral elements in the seed. For this purpose, fruits and seeds from female P. alba trees were selected from two contaminated and one non-contaminated areas. Seeds from all the sites were germinated using only water or a nutritive solution (in vitro). Concentrations of nutrients and trace elements in the fruits and seeds were analysed. Seedling growth in vitro was also analysed. Finally, a mapping of different elements within the poplar seed was obtained by particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE). Germination was similar between different progenies, refuting our hypothesis that seeds from a contaminated origin would have reduced germination capacity compared to those from a non-contaminated site. Seedling growth was not affected by the contaminated origin. Cadmium and Zn concentrations in fruits produced by P. alba trees in the contaminated sites were higher than by those from the non-contaminated site. However, the nutritional status of the trees was adequate in both cases. Cd in seedlings was higher in those from contaminated soils although lower than in fruits, indicating a certain exclusion from seeds. Preliminary results of the PIXE technique showed that Al and Zn were distributed uniformly in the seeds (Cd was not detected with this technique), while the nutrients P and S were concentrated in the cotyledons.

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“…Some chemical analysis of two semiarid species (Hirschfeldia incana and Diplotaxis catholica) growing on Tl-contaminated soils demonstrate the Tl accumulation that is in correlation with precipitations. In dry years, Tl accumulation was significantly reduced compared to wet years (Madejon et al 2007). Tl accumulation in plants is probably connected with the soil type.…”

Section: Contamination Of Soil and Watermentioning

confidence: 86%

“…The more intensive Tl transport was observed in the case of soil contamination with thallium(I) sulphate. Some investigations report that thallium can accumulate especially in plants of family Brassicaceae (Al-Najar et al 2005;Madejon et al 2007). Some chemical analysis of two semiarid species (Hirschfeldia incana and Diplotaxis catholica) growing on Tl-contaminated soils demonstrate the Tl accumulation that is in correlation with precipitations.…”

Section: Contamination Of Soil and Watermentioning

confidence: 97%

Uncommon heavy metals, metalloids and their plant toxicity: a review

et al. 2008

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Heavy metals still represent a group of dangerous pollutants, to which close attention is paid. Many heavy metals are essential as important constituents of pigments and enzymes, mainly zinc, nickel and copper. However, all metals, especially cadmium, lead, mercury and copper, are toxic at high concentration because of disrupting enzyme functions, replacing essential metals in pigments or producing reactive oxygen species. The toxicity of less common heavy metals and metalloids, such as thallium, arsenic, chromium, antimony, selenium and bismuth, has been investigated. Here, we review the phytotoxicity of thallium, chromium, antimony, selenium, bismuth, and other rare heavy metals and metalloids such as tellurium, germanium, gallium, scandium, gold, platinum group metals (palladium, platinum and rhodium), technetium, tungsten, uranium, thorium, and rare earth elements yttrium and lanthanum, and the 14 lanthanides cerium, dysprosium, erbium, europium, gadolinium, holmium, lutetium, neodymium, promethium, praseodymium, samarium, terbium, thulium and ytterbium.

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Factors affecting accumulation of thallium and other trace elements in two wild Brassicaceae spontaneously growing on soils contaminated by tailings dam waste

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Cited by 62 publications

References 28 publications

Mobility of selected trace elements in Mediterranean red soil amended with phosphogypsum: experimental study

Mobility of selected trace elements in Mediterranean red soil amended with phosphogypsum: experimental study

Effects of soil contamination by trace elements on white poplar progeny: seed germination and seedling vigour

Uncommon heavy metals, metalloids and their plant toxicity: a review

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