Kenneth S. Sajwan

Effects of selected trace metals on germinating seeds of six plant species

Seeds of cabbage, lettuce, millet, radish, turnip, and wheat were treated with solutions containing Be, Ni, Tl, or V, and subsequent effects on seed germination and radicle elongation were measured after three days. Treatment with low concentrations of Be, Ni, or V stimulated root elongation in most species. Higher concentrations of these elements and all treatment with Tl caused reductions in root elongation. In general, turnip and lettuce were the most sensitive of the plants studied to the metals tested, while wheat and millet were the least sensitive.

Effects of High Rates of Coal Fly Ash on Soil, Turfgrass, and Groundwater Quality

A field study (1993–1996) assessed the effects of applying unusually high rates of coal fly ash as a soil additive forthe turf culture of centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiroides).In addition, the quality of the soil and the underlying groundwater was evaluated. A Latin Square plot design was employed to include 0 (control, no ash applied), 280, 560, and 1120 Mg ha-1 (mega gram ha-1, i.e., tonne ha-1)application rates of unweathered precipitator fly ash. The onceapplied fly ash was rototilled and allowed to weather for 8 months before seeding. Ash application significantly increasedthe concentrations in plant tissue of B, Mo, As, Be, Se, and Bawhile also significantly reducing the concentrations of Mg, Mn,and Zn. The other elements measured (i.e., N, K, Ca, Cu, Fe, Ag,Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sb, Tl, Na, and Al) were not affected. Of these elements Mg, Cu, and Mo concentrations in plant tissue increased with time while B and Se decreased temporally. The diminution of B and Na appears to be related to the leaching ofsoluble salts from ash-treated soils. Of all the elements measured, only Mn produced significant correlation (p = 0.0001) between the tissue and soil extractable concentrations. Ash treatment elevated the soil pH to as high as 6.45 with theenhanced effect occurring primarily in the 0–15 cm depth. Soilsalinity increased with the application rate with the largestincreases occurring in the initial year of application. However,by the second year, most of the soluble salts had already leachedfrom the treatment zone into deeper depths, and by the fourthyear, these salts had completely disappeared from the profile.The chemical composition of the underlying groundwater was notadversely impacted by the ash application. Plant tissue and groundwater data however, indicate that much higher rates of fly ash can be used on this type of land use where the plant species is tolerant of soil salinity and does not appear tobioaccumulate potentially toxic trace elements.

Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements in Coal and Coal Combustion Byproducts

Introduction. 1. Coal Combustion Product (CCP) Production and Use: Survey Results B.R. Stewart. Environmental Effects from Power Plants. 2. Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) Residue: Potential Applications and Environmental Issues T. Punshon, et al. 3. Environmental Aspects of Power Plants Fly Ash Utilization in Deep Coal Mine Workings I. Twardowska. 4. Coal Ash From Thermal Power Plants in Finland: A Review A.K. Mukherjee, R. Kikuchi. 5. Environmental Behavior of Power Plants Fly Ash Containing Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) Solids Untilized in Deep Coal Mines I. Twardowska. Trace Elements in Size-Density Fractionated Fly Ashes and Ash Utilization. 6. Trace Elements in Indian Coal and Coal Fly Ash M.P. Khandekar, et al. 7. Concentrations and Distribution of Major and Selected Trace Elements in Size-Density Fractionated Fly Ashes S.V. Mattigod, et al. 8. Coal Fly Ash Chemistry and Carbon Dioxide Infusion Process to Enhance its Utilization K.J. Reddy. 9. Evaluation of Coal Combustion Products as Components in Disturbed Land Reclamation by the Baker Soil Test D.E. Baker, et al. 10. The Revival of a Failed Constructed Wetland Treating a High Fe Load AMD A.D. Karathanasis, C.D. Barton. Transport and Leachability of Metals from Coal and Ash Piles. 11. Leaching of metals from Soils Amended With Fly Ash and Organic By-Products A.K. Alva, et al. 12. Effect of Fly Ash and Sewage Sludge Amendments on Transport of Metals in Different Soils A.K. Alva, et al. 13. The Use of Cyclonic Ashes of Fluidized Bed Burning of Coal Mine Refuse for Long-Term Immobilization of Metals in Soil J. Vangronsveld, et al. 14. Impact of Coal Pile Leachate and Fly Ash on Soil and Groundwater G.S. Ghuman, et al. 15. Contaminant Mobility in Soil Columns Amended with Fly Ash and Flue Gas Desulfirization Gypsum C.F. Ishak, et al. Use of Coal Ash for Plant Growth. 16. Nickel, Lead, Cadmium, and Chromium Concentrations in Shoots of Maize Grown in Acidic Soil Amended with Coal Combustion By-products R.B. Clark, et al. 17. Fly Ash-Borne Arsenic in the Soil-Plant Syatem M.E. Summer, S. Dudka. 18. Effect of Rock Phosphate on Arsenic Uptake from Fly Ash Treated Mine Soil D.K. Bhumbla, et al. 19. Citrus Tree Growth and Fruit Production Response to Flue-Gas Desulfurization Gypsum A.K. Alva, et al. 20. A Review of Selenium Uptake, Transformation, and Accumulation by Plants with Particular Reference to Coal Fly Ash Landfills P.B. Woodbury, et al.

Coal combustion byproducts and environmental issues

The book addresses the major implications and critical issues surrounding coal combustion products and their impact upon the environment. It provides essential information for scientists conducting research on coal and coal combustion products, but also serves as a valuable reference for a wide variety of researchers and other professionals in the energy industry and in the fields of public health, engineering, and environmental sciences.

Potassium Management for Optimizing Citrus Production and Quality

Abstract Potassium (K) is highly mobile in plants at all levels, that is, from individual cell to xylem and phloem transport. This cation plays a major role in (1) enzyme activation; (2) protein synthesis; (3) stomatal function; (4) stabilization of internal pH; (5) photosynthesis; (6) turgorrelated processes; and (7) transport of metabolites. Citrus trees generally do not show visible deficiency symptoms across a wide range of K status in the leaves, except when the leaf concentrations drop below 3-4 mg kg21. However, fruit quality is quite sensitive to varying levels of K availability. High levels of K cause large fruit size with thick and coarse peel. In contrast, K deficiency produces smaller fruits with thin peel. With regard to juice properties, K nutrition has a significant role in juice acidity; that is, high juice acidity with high K availability, while low K availability causes decrease in juice acidity. High K availability in the soil can reduce the uptake of other cations, primarily magnesium, calcium, and ammonium N. In this paper, the available information on the effects of varying availability of K on the fruit yield, postharvest quality of fruit, as well as juice quality is summarized. The current recommendations on the application of soil and leaf analysis for evaluation of the K nutritional status and guidelines for K fertilization are also discussed.

Vanadium: toxicity and accumulation by beans.

Hydroponic and rhizotron studies were conducted to determine the effect of V on soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and bush bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) biomass and mineral nutrition. In the hydroponic study, 6 mg V L−1 (as VOSO4) in the nutrient solution drastically altered soybean nutrition, and significantly reduced plant biomass. Vanadium accumulated in the roots but not in the aerial portions of the plants. The data support the hypothesis that tissue V and Ca contents are related with high concentrations of both elements in the roots, and low concentrations in the aerial portions of the plant. Analysis of data with the Diagnostic and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) identified Ca as deficient in aerial tissues. The changes in Ca concentrations induced by V treatment may also have antagonized the concentrations of others macronutrients, most notably K and Mg. DRIS also indicated that K, Mg, and Zn levels were relatively high. The rhizotron study, which dealt with bush beans grown in metal-treated soils, further showed that V was primarily concentrated in the roots of the plants, with very little accumulated in the aerial portions.

Mercury in Russula mushrooms: Bioconcentration by Yellow-ocher Brittle Gills Russula ochroleuca

The purpose of this study was to examine the contamination and bioconcentration potential of mercury (Hg) in Yellow-ocher Brittle Gills known also as Yellow-ocher Brittle Gill or Common Russula (Russula ochroleuca) mushroom. Matured fruiting bodies of this fungus and soil samples were collected at ten spatially distant unpolluted sites in the northern part of Poland in 2004–2008. Total Hg content of fruiting bodies and soil were determined by cold-vapour atomic absorption spectroscopy (CV–AAS). The total Hg content of the Yellow-ocher Brittle Gills varied between 0.017 and 0.43 μg/g dry weights in individual caps and between 0.011 and 0.24 μg/g dw in the stipes. The mean mercury content of the mushroom varied spatially (p < 0.001) between the sites - in caps between 0.039 ± 0.024 and 0.18 ± 0.11 μg/g dw; and in stipes between 0.027 ± 0.014 and 0.13 ± 0.06 μg/g dw. The caps usually contained Hg in greater concentrations than stipes and the mean values of cap to stipe Hg concentration quotient (Qc/s) varied from 1.3 ± 0.4 to 1.9 ± 0.04. The range of Hg concentrations in the top soil layer (0–10 cm) varied from 0.011 to 0.51 μg/g dw (mean values varied between 0.025 ± 0.010 and 0.18 ± 0.13 μg/g dw). Mean Hg bioconcentration factor (BCF) varied between 0.57 ± 0.30 and 5.6 ± 1.7 for caps and 0.50 ± 0.49 and 3.3 ± 1.8 for stipes. Yellow-ocher Brittle Gills from Trójmiejski Landscape Park contained Hg at greater concentration compared to other sites. Also presented is a review of data on Hg contents of the genus Russula (41 species, both edible and inedible to man) collected from across the world.

Persistent organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers in fish from coastal waters off Savannah, GA, USA

Contamination profiles of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were determined in six fish species from three selected regions along coastal waters off Savannah, GA, USA. Concentrations of PCBs were predominant (12–493 ng g−1 lw) followed by PBDEs (10–337 ng g−1 lw), OCPs such as DDTs (2.7–153 ng g−1 lw), chlordanes (3.8–34 ng g−1 lw), cyclodienes (<0.1–35 ng g−1 lw), mirex (<0.1–8.6 ng g−1 lw), γ-hexachlorocyclohexane (<0.1–1.4 ng g−1 lw), and hexachlorobenzene (<0.1–0.68 ng g−1 lw). The results indicated no region-specific difference in the contaminants however inter-species as well as intra-species differences were evident. Comparison of DDTs, PCBs, and PBDEs profiles in fish with those from other countries revealed that fish from coastal waters off Savannah contained relatively less concentrations of PCBs and chlorinated pesticides, while PBDE concentrations were comparable or even higher than fish samples from other regions. Polychlorinated biphenyl congeners and chlorinated pesticide tempoal trend data exhibited no increase of contamination levels. The levels of PCBs and chlorinated pesticides in fish from Savannah coastal waters were below the Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) established limits for human consumption.

Bioaccumulation of selenium by floating aquatic plants

The degree to which floating aquatic plants concentrate Se in tissues was determined for four species grown in solutions containing various levels of Se. Results of this greenhouse study showed that all four plant species, Azolla caroliniana, Eichhornia crassipes, Salvinia rotundi folia, and Lemna minor absorbed Se quickly upon exposure to Se in water as concentrated as 2.5 μg Se mL−1, and attained maximum tissue concentrations within 1 to 2 weeks. Azolla absorbed Se to the highest tissue concentration (about 1000 μg Se g−1 dry matter) from the 2.5 μg Se mL−1 solution, followed by Salvinia (700 μg Se g−1), Lemna (500 μg Se g−1),and Eichhornia (300 μg Se g−1). Plant growth appeared unaffected by solution Se concentrations lower than about 1.25 μg mL−1. These results indicate potential for rapid Se movement from water into aquatic food chains, and for use of aquatic plants for Se removal in wastewater treatment systems.

PHYTOAVAILABILITY AND TOXICITY OF BERYLLIUM AND VANADIUM

Greenhouse and laboratory studies were conducted to evaluate the toxic effects of Be and V on collards (Brassica oleracea, var. acephala L.). In the laboratory germination study, incremental increases in the Be concentrations of the growing medium induced a steady decline in the radicle length of seven-day-old collard seedling. Beryllium concentrations greater than or equal to 8 mg Be L−1 totally inhibited seed germination. The presence of V in the growing medium had no effect on collard germination; however, it had a profound effect on subsequent radicle elongation. Concentrations of V less than 1 mg V L−1 stimulated radicle elongation, while concentrations greater than or equal to 3 mg V L−1 caused severe toxicity. In the greenhouse study, Be toxicity was observed in collards grown in a Blanton sand (Grossarenic Paleudult) received treatments greater than or equal to 150 mg Be kg −1 (as BeSO4). Irrespective of treatment level, 97% of the Be taken up by the plants remained in the roots while only 3% was translocated to aboveground plant parts. Vanadium tissue concentrations and toxicity to collards varied with soil type. Additions as low as 80 mg V kg−1 to the Blanton sand significantly reduced collard biomass while additions as high as 100 mg V kg−1 to an Orangebury loamy sand (Typic Paleudult) had no effect on plant biomass. The differential response was attributed to greater accumulation of V by plants grown in the Blanton soil.