Pot experiments with soils from three contaminated sites and an additional field experiment were conducted. The aim of the experiments was to test different organic and inorganic soil amendments to heavy metal uptake and to alleviate toxicity in different agricultural crops. Elements in the extracts were measured by

No abstract

The present work describes results of pot experiments and field studies including three contaminated sites in Bangladesh. The aim was to investigate possible differences between cereal varieties ith regard to heavy metal uptake and accumulation. A total of 10 rice (Oriza sativa L.) and 3 wheat (Triticum estivum) varieties were studied. Soil samples were digested with HCl:HNO 3 (3:1), and plant

An investigation was made at Hazaribagh Tannery area, comprising about 145 industries in Dhaka Metropolitan area. The analyses of soil and plant samples showed that heavy metals contribute significantly towards environmental contamssination resulting from industrial activities. Concentration of heavy metals (Cr, Zn, Pb, Cd, Mn, Fe and Ni) in soil and plant samples cross the MAC (Maximum allowable concentration) in both wet and dry season. In case of soil sample the highest concentration of Cr (172792 ppm) was found at main disposal point. Chromium, Zn, Pb, Cd, Mn, Fe and Ni concentrations at Hazaribagh plant samples respectively ranged from 171-1348, 247-777, 45-96, 1.66-2.17, 72-231, 354-787, and 18-38 ppm respectively in dry season and 75-1142, 209-691, 29- 84, 1.02-2.00, 66-124, 331-664, 11-37 ppm respectively in wet season. Concentration went down gradually with increasing distance from the main disposal point (spot 1). But again high concentration (150708 ppm of Cr) was noted in spot 6. Similar results were found for plant samples. High concentrations of heavy metals were found in plant samples which consequently affect food chain, which may be a major environmental concern. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 43(2): 207-222, December 2017

Two pot experiments were conducted at the Dept. of Soil, Water and Environment, University of Dhaka to examine the effects of Zn on red amaranth (Amaranthus sp.) and rice (Oryza sativa). The soil collected from Bhaluka, Mymensingh (Chandra series), had the following general characteristics; pH 6.0, E.C 134 μS cm-1, organic matter 2.20%, organic carbon 1.27%, total N, P, K 0.024, O.07 and 0.05 % respectively. The total Zn content was 20 ppm and the texture was silty loam. Four Zn levels were maintained by treating the experimental soils with 0, 200, 300 and 400 mg Zn/kg soil. Roots & shoots of red amaranth and rice were collected after 45 and 90 days of sowing respectively. A significant impact of zinc was observed on growth and yield of red amaranth and rice. The concentration of zinc increased with increasing zinc treatment in red amaranth and rice roots, shoots and grain. The length of roots and shoots, the fresh and dry matter production  decreased with increasing zinc levels for red amaranth. In case of Rice the length of roots, shoots and spikelets increased with increasing zinc levels and the highest was observed at 200 ppm Zn. The fresh and dry matter production at first decreased at 200 ppm Zn but increased at 300 and 400 ppm Zn for Rice. The results showed that zinc influenced the growth and yield of red amaranth and rice. Keywords: Zinc; Toxicity; Treatments; Yield; Uptake; Heavy metal.DOI: 10.3329/jbayr.v1i1.6836Journal of Bangladesh Association of Young Researchers Vol.1(1) 2011 pp.79-91