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Updated: Jan 30, 2026
12:03
Two-Dimensional Visualization and Quantification of Labile, Inorganic Plant Nutrients and Contaminants in Soil
Published on: September 1, 2020
6.8K
Trace Element Uptake by Herbaceous Plants from the Soils at a Multiple Trace Element-Contaminated Site
Obinna Elijah Nworie1, Junhao Qin2,3, Chuxia Lin4
1School of Environment and Life Science, University of Salford, Greater Manchester M5 4WT, UK. O.Nworie@edu.salford.ac.uk.
Toxics
|January 20, 2019
Summary
Wild herbaceous plants accumulate varying levels of trace elements like zinc and copper. This plant uptake indicates the contaminated site is unsuitable for agriculture and may impact ecosystem health.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Plant Biology
- Ecotoxicology
Background:
- Multiple trace element contamination poses risks to ecosystems and human activities.
- Understanding plant uptake of these elements is crucial for risk assessment.
- Wild herbaceous plants are key indicators of soil contamination levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate trace element uptake by wild herbaceous plants.
- To determine bioaccumulation and translocation factors for various elements.
- To identify hyperaccumulating plant species at a contaminated site.
Main Methods:
- Field sampling of wild herbaceous plants.
- Analysis of trace element concentrations in plant tissues.
- Calculation of bioaccumulation factor (BF) and translocation factor (TF).
Main Results:
- Bioaccumulation factor (BF) order: Zn > Cu > Mn > Ni > As > Pb > Cr.
- Translocation factor (TF) order: Mn > Zn > Ni > Cu > Cr > As > Pb.
- Identified hyperaccumulators: *Artemisia vulgaris* (As, Mn, Zn), *Phalaris arundinacea* (Mn, Ni), *Heracleum sphondylium* (Cr, Zn), *Bistorta officinalis* (Mn, Zn).
Conclusions:
- The contaminated site exhibits significant trace element accumulation in plants.
- The site's suitability for urban agriculture is questionable due to high trace element levels.
- Plant-borne trace elements may disrupt soil microbial activities and ecosystem functioning.
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