Heavy metal and micronutrient uptake in soybeans as influenced by sewage sludge amendment

Soybean ( Glycine max (L.) Merr.) uptake of the elements, Cd, Ni, Pb, Cu, Zn and Mn, from a sewage sludge-amended Mecklenburg soil was conducted in the greenhouse. “Bragg” soybeans were grown in pots for five weeks at which time the tops and roots were sampled separately for elemental analysis. Soil samples from each pot were extracted with DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) and the concentration of extractable elements correlated with the elemental content in the soybean plant. There was a significant increase in dry matter production with sludge treatment. Concentrations of Cd, Ni and Pb in the soybean shoots and roots increased from sludge-amended soil as compared to the control. The metal concentration in the soybean tissue increased with increasing levels of sludge amendment. Uptake of the heavy metals was greater by the roots than by the shoots indicating some barrier to movement of the metals from roots to shoots. The DTPA extractable Cd in sludge-amended soil increased significantly, and showed correlation to the soybean tissue metal concentrations. As for the micronutrients, Cu increased in the soybean shoot as the extractable Cu increased. There was no significant relationship between soybean tissue Zn and Mn and extractable Zn and Mn.