Plant uptake of metals, transfer factors and prediction model for two contaminated regions of Kosovo

Abstract

The bioavailability and plant uptake of heavy metals (HM), as well as finding the most reliable methods for the prediction of availability, continues to be one of the most crucial problems in agricultural and environmental studies. In agricultural soils from two regions in Kosovo, known for its metal pollution, we collected 60 soil and plant samples (wheat, corn, potatoes, and grass). Heavy metals were extracted from soil with aqua regia (pseudototal concentration), NH4OAc‐EDTA (potential bioavailable), and NH4NO3 (mobile fraction), plant samples were digested with HNO3/H2O2 (microwave assisted extraction). The pseudo total content of Cd, Pb, and Zn showed high value in Mitrovice (mean: Cd–2.92, Pb–570.15, and Zn–522.86 mg kg−1), whereas in Drenas region Ni and Cr showed high value with a mean 258.54 and 203.22 mg kg−1. Also, the potential bioavailability and mobile form of these metals were increased in Mitrovice (mean: Cd–1.59, Pb–217.05, Zn–522.86 mg kg−1, respectively Cd–0.17, Pb–0.64, and Zn–15.45 mg kg−1), compared to Drenas. Cd and Pb were elevated in potato tubers (mean Cd–0.48 and Pb–0.85 mg kg−1). The TF was higher for micronutrients (Zn and Cu) than for non‐essential metals (Cd and Pb). Multiple regression analysis showed a good model for prediction of Cd, Pb and Zn content in plant with significance 99.9%, whereas this model was not significant for Cu, Cr, and Ni. Soil pH played a significant role in the content of Cd and Zn in wheat and potato plants. Clay content also showed significance in Cd concentration in wheat and potato plants, while carbon content was significant for Cd in grass plants, as well as for Zn in wheat and grass plants.

ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION WITH METALS IN SOME INDUSTRIAL REGIONS OF KOSOVO USING CHICKEN (Gallus gallus domesticus) BREAST FEATHERS

“…Comparable results were obtained in the study conducted by Salwa et al These results support the concept that nonessential metals can have high affinity for sulfhydryl groups and can bind to reduced cysteines in peptides and proteins (67, 68,69,70). The current findings also support the data obtained by other researchers related to environmental pollution with metals and their effects on living organisms in the regions of Mitrovica and Obiliq (40, 65,71).…”

Copper Toxicity and Prediction Models of Copper Content in Leafy Vegetables

“…The model for pakchoi copper can be described by the EDTA-extractable copper concentration with an R square of 0.5747 (Table 3 and Figure 5C), whereas the model for garland chrysanthemum utilizes an HCl-extractable copper concentration with an R square of 0.7239 (Table 3 and Figure 5D). The fitness of these models is comparable with the published multiple regression models for copper, zinc and nickel uptake by barley, wheat and corn [34][35][36]. For example, copper prediction models for barley roots derived from CaCl 2 -and low-molecular-weight organic acids-extractable copper have R squares from 0.617 to 0.801 [34].…”

“…A cadmium prediction model based on Na 4 P 2 O 7 -extractable cadmium and solubilized organic carbon for Durum Wheat grain shows 74% of fitness [35]. A copper prediction model for copper concentration in potato tubers shows an R square of 0.541 [36].…”

Immobilization and assessment of heavy metals in chicken manure compost amended with rice straw-derived biochar

“…Bioavailability of heavy metals had been regarded as one of the most crucial issues in agricultural and environmental studies [70], where heavy metals were considered to be bio-absorbed or toxic to organisms [71]. Bioavailability of heavy metals in compost was closely related to the morphology [24,72].…”