Uptake and Transport of Radioactive Nickel and Cadmium into Three Vegetables after Wet Aerial Contamination

Abstract

Knowledge of radionuclide or trace element retention and translocation to plants following an aerial contamination event, for example, sprinkling with contaminated water, is necessary for the evaluation of human exposure through consumption of contaminated vegetables. The fate of 63Ni and 109Cd in all plant parts of three different vegetables after wet deposition on leaves or on fruits was studied. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), radish (Raphanus sativus L.), and bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) grown under controlled conditions in a growth chamber were contaminated with 63Ni and 109Cd either on leaves, by means of two different contamination methods (a single early contamination and a repetitive one), or on bean husks (third contamination method: a single contamination at a late stage). Spiked and nonspiked organs were harvested at maturity and radionuclide contents were measured. The fraction retained was on average 56% of the initially administered doses of 63Ni and 87% of 109Cd. The leaf-to-other organ translocation factor was considerably higher for 63Ni (on average 43% of retained radioactivity) than for 109Cd (8%). Nickel-63 migrated throughout the whole plant following foliar contamination, and mainly toward young leaves, seeds in formation, and sink organs, whereas 109Cd migrated to a much lesser extent and only to the organs that were closest to the spiked one, and not at all into fruit. After a fruit contamination event, both radionuclides were translocated into the seeds of spiked fruits. Radionuclide retention and translocation were not affected by plant species, but principally by the type of organ contaminated.

Factors influencing uptake of contaminated particulate matter in leafy vegetables

“…The results indicated high efficiency of washing of the leaves as well as relatively low impact of PM amendment on total Cd contents in the leaves. Low migration of Cd throughout the whole lettuce plant after foliar Cd application was observed by Fismes et al [27]. Atmospheric deposition of cadmium on herbage from long-term experimental plots at the Rothamsted Experimental Station in the UK was evaluated by Nicholson et al [28].…”

Multimedia Modelling of the Exposure to Cadmium and Lead Released in the Atmosphere—Application to Industrial Releases in a Mediterranean Region and Uncertainty/Sensitivity Analysis

“…Using data available for Cd and Pb allowed to include these elements into one of these three categories. Thus, Fismes et al (2005) experimentally studied the distribution of radioactive isotope of Cd within three different vegetables, including lettuce and bean. They observed that Cd migrated slightly and that the translocation factor was lower than 10%.…”

Physiological responses of Tillandsia albida (Bromeliaceae) to long-term foliar metal application

“…Despite the fact that both Cd and Ni are divalent and are unable to catalyse the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via Fenton-Haber-Weiss reaction, Cd shows more toxic effects in comparison to Ni when applied in equal doses: the main reason for such different toxic effect could be higher endogenous Cd accumulation [12,13]. Besides, Cd and Ni showed different translocation pattern in three crops [14]. Foliar application of identical concentrations is therefore suitable tool allowing to compare if different Cd and Ni toxicity is influenced by physicochemical properties of these metals or by endogenous factors in the given plant species.…”