Field study on the accumulation of trace elements by vegetables produced in the vicinity of abandoned pyrite mines

Abstract

• Soils in kitchen gardens near pyrite mines are heavily contaminated with As, Cu, Pb, and Zn. • Soil is mainly neutral, due to soil amendment, which contributes to the low bioavailability of TE. • Generally, vegetables contain levels of these elements characteristic of uncontaminated plants. • Risk is considerable where the soil pH is acidic, triggering high Zn bioavailable concentrations. • If the soil pH is not controlled, there is a risk of consuming metal contaminated vegetables.

Metals and Metalloids in Wild Asparagus at Uncontaminated and Mining‐Contaminated Sites

“…Further studies on Sardinian soils are required to assess bioavailable fractions (Kabata‐Pendias, 2004). Also, physiochemical properties of plants, not considered in this study, may affect the element uptake from soil (Alvarenga et al, 2014). Notwithstanding the above considerations, Cu, Ni, and Zn showed AF values relatively larger than the nonessential elements As, Cd, Pb, and Sb, which is consistent with literature records (Hokura et al, 2000).…”

“…Arsenic, Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sb, and Zn received more attention because they were abundant in ore deposits, although at different concentrations in different areas. The accumulation factor (AF) (i.e., the ratio between the element concentration in plant and that in parent soil) [Alvarenga et al, 2014]), was calculated using soil data available from the literature (Table 3). The estimated daily intake (EDI) refers to food consumption considering element concentrations in food and amount of food consumed per day (Alvarenga et al, 2014).…”

“…The accumulation factor (AF) (i.e., the ratio between the element concentration in plant and that in parent soil) [Alvarenga et al, 2014]), was calculated using soil data available from the literature (Table 3). The estimated daily intake (EDI) refers to food consumption considering element concentrations in food and amount of food consumed per day (Alvarenga et al, 2014). An intake rate of 37.3 g d −1 (fresh weight) was assumed for vegetables consumed by adults of 70‐kg body weight, as estimated by the Italian National Food Consumption Survey for the food category including asparagus (Leclercq et al, 2009).…”

“…# Kabata-Pendias and Pendias (2001). (Alvarenga et al, 2014). An intake rate of 37.3 g d -1 (fresh weight) was assumed for vegetables consumed by adults of 70-kg body weight, as estimated by the Italian National Food Consumption Survey for the food category including asparagus (Leclercq et al, 2009).…”

“…Plants growing in mining environments may accumulate metals and metalloids (Liu et al, 2005, 2010; Zhang et al, 2014; Zhuang et al, 2009). Considering that plant uptake is a relevant pathway by which elements enter the food chain, high concentrations of toxic elements in plants may cause health‐related issues in grazing animals and humans (Alvarenga et al, 2014; Bech et al, 2016; Esshaimi et al, 2012). Indeed, the consumption of plants grown at abandoned mine sites has been reported to damage the health of local populations (Gonzalez‐Fernandez et al, 2011; Ji et al, 2013; Wu et al, 2011; Xu et al, 2013).…”