Proposal of new convenient extractant for assessing phytoavailability of heavy metals in contaminated sandy soil

Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare the usefulness of 1 M HCl with aqua regia, EDTA, and CaCl for the extraction of phytoavailable forms of Cu, Ni, and Zn on coarse-textured soils contaminated with these metals. Two microplot experiments were used for the studies. Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea), maize (Zea mays), willow (Salix viminalis), spartina (Spartina pectinata), and miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus) were used as test plants. They were grown on soil artificially spiked with Cu, Ni, and Zn. The experimental design included a control and three increasing doses of metals. Microplots (1 m × 1 m deep) were filled with sandy soil (clay-6%, pH 5.5, Corg-0.8%). Metals in the form of sulfates were dissolved in water and applied to the plot using a hand liquid sprayer. During the harvest, samples were collected from aboveground parts, roots, and the soil and then tested for their Cu, Zn, and Ni contents. The metal content of the soil was determined using four tested extractants. It was found that Cu and Ni were accumulated in roots in bigger amounts than Zn. The usefulness of the extractants was evaluated based on the correlation between the content of metals in the soil and the plant (n = 32). This study demonstrated that 1 M HCl, aqua regia, and EDTA were more efficient or equally useful for the assessment of the phytoavailability of Cu, Ni, and Zn as CaCl. Due to the ease of performing determinations and their low cost, 1 M HCl can be recommended to assess the excess of Cu, Ni, and Zn in the coarse-textured soils.

Potential local adaptation in populations of invasive reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) across an urbanization gradient

“…None of our reed canary grass populations were tolerant to excess zinc in the soil, consistent with previous work on this species (Korzeniowska & Stanis, 2011 ; Korzeniowska & Stanislawska‐Glubiak, 2017 ; Matthews et al., 2005 ). Aboveground traits associated with PC1 scores (aboveground biomass, height, and chlorophyll content) were all reduced under zinc stress, causing separation between zinc and control treatments along PC1.…”

“…Previous research suggests that some genotypes of reed canary grass are highly plastic across stress gradients (Martina & von Ende, 2012 ) and vary in tolerance to common urban wetland contaminants like salt and copper (Haiminen et al., 2014 ; Marchand et al., 2014 ; Polechońska & Klink, 2014 ). Several studies have evaluated reed canary grass performance in wetlands contaminated with copper and zinc (Bernard & Lauve, 1995 ; Korzeniowska & Stanis, 2011 ; Korzeniowska & Stanislawska‐Glubiak, 2017 ; Marchand et al., 2014 ). The stress response of reed canary grass genotypes to these metals varies substantially, suggesting that certain genotypes may also have superior survival in polluted wetlands.…”

Archives of Environmental Protection

“…Therefore, in this paper, we evaluate the usefulness of 1 M HCl method to replace burdensome and relatively costly procedure involving aqua regia. Such an approach is presented also in other research where the authors confi rm the suitability of 1 M HCl to assess the degree of soil contamination with heavy metals (Allen 1993, Chowdhury et al 2010, Stanislawska-Glubiak and Korzeniowska 2010, Korzeniowska and Stanisławska--Glubiak 2017.…”

Archives of Environmental Protection

“…According to Nowack et al (2010) and Kabala et al (2014), metal mobility is controlled by the total metal concentration of solid phase soil, and the amount of soluble metals increased together with the increase of their total concentration. The works of other authors have confi rmed that the concentrations of metals in the above ground parts and roots were correlated with the concentrations of metals in the soil determined (Korzeniowska et al 2017). From this perspective, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr and Cd in this area could pose a potential leaching risk to the environment.…”