As Chamon

Influence of Soil Amendments on Heavy Metal Accumulation in Crops on Polluted Soils of Bangladesh

Abstract 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 plasma emission spectroscopy (ICP‐AES). Cadmium in the extracts was measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), with a heated graphite‐tube system (HGA). The results of the experiment were statistically evaluated by the LSD test. Almost all treatments had positive effects on crop productivity or reduced heavy metal uptake. Organic manures especially reduced manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni) uptake. Iron (Fe) oxides contained in red mud, a by-product of the aluminum industry, reduced soil to plant transfer of zinc (Zn), Ni, cadmium (Cd), and Cr. The results from these experiments show that it is necessary to select and combine amendments taking into account both site and crop characteristics.

Influence of Cereal Varieties and Site Conditions on Heavy Metal Accumulations in Cereal Crops on Polluted Soils of Bangladesh

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 with regard to heavy metal uptake and accumulation. A total of 10 rice (Oriza sativa L.) and 3 wheat (Triticum aestivum) varieties were studied. Soil samples were digested with HCl:HNO3 (3:1), and plant samples were digested with a HNO3:HClO4 (5:1) mixture in closed systems. All elements with exception of cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) were measured in the extracts by plasma emission spectroscopy (ICP‐AES). Cadmium was measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), with a heated graphite‐tube system (HGA). Mercury was measured by AAS, using mercury‐hydride system (MHS‐20). The rice variety BR‐14 exhibited the highest yield and in most cases the lowest heavy metal accumulations at harvest. Wheat varieties showed significantly different heavy metal accumulation. It can be concluded that selection of cereal varieties may add to safer crop production on heavy metal contaminated sites. Nevertheless, site specificity of this measure has to be taken into account.