Bioavailability as a Factor in Risk Assessment of Metal-Contaminated Soil

To accurately assess the risks of metal contaminants in soil, the bioavailability of the metals need to be considered. The bioavailable concentrations determined from homogenized, dried soils are not necessarily representative of in situ conditions of undisturbed field soils. In this study, we inves...

Ausführliche Beschreibung

Gespeichert in:
Bibliographische Detailangaben
Veröffentlicht in:Water, air, and soil pollution air, and soil pollution, 2012-07, Vol.223 (6), p.2907-2922
Hauptverfasser: Chapman, E. Emily V., Dave, Göran, Murimboh, John D.
Format: Artikel
Sprache:eng
Schlagworte:
Online-Zugang:Volltext
Tags: Tag hinzufügen
Keine Tags, Fügen Sie den ersten Tag hinzu!
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:To accurately assess the risks of metal contaminants in soil, the bioavailability of the metals need to be considered. The bioavailable concentrations determined from homogenized, dried soils are not necessarily representative of in situ conditions of undisturbed field soils. In this study, we investigated the accumulation of metals in wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) grown in undisturbed contaminated (Pb, Zn, Cu, and Cd) soil cores, in relation to total soil, leachate, and diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT)-labile metal concentrations. Despite the fact that many of the samples contained metal concentrations above guideline values, no significant effects were observed on wheat growth. The bioavailability of metals in the most contaminated samples was estimated to be medium to low, possibly explaining why few effects were observed in the bioassay. For Cu, Zn, and especially for Pb, leachate and DGT-labile concentrations were better predictors of uptake by wheat than total concentrations based on correlations. It is suggested that DGT and leachate concentrations in combination with bioassays in undisturbed soil cores can be used to account for metal bioavailability in soil. These tests could be used during the ecological risk screening stage, in conjunction with total concentrations and guideline values to better estimate receptor exposure.
ISSN:0049-6979
1573-2932
DOI:10.1007/s11270-012-1074-z