Content of some heavy metals in soil and corn grain
- Univ. of Kentucky, Lexington (United States)
- McLean and Hopkins Counties, KY (United States)
In an attempt to find causes for lower than expected corn (Zea mays L.) production along the bottomlands of the Green and Pond Rivers in western Kentucky, corn fields were sampled for soil and corn grain to determine heavy metal content. Samples from sixteen carefully selected fields were analyzed for Cd, Cr, Pb, and Ni content. Yield of corn was not related to either soil or grain content of these heavy metals. There was also not relationship between soil pH and heavy metal accumulation by grain or heavy metal accumulation by grain and soil and Ni were within the range of values reported in the literature for uncontaminated soils. However, soil content of Cd was near or above the upper end of the ranges reported in the literature, even on control samples taken upstream from sites of potential heavy metal pollution. Karnak soils (fine, montmorillonitic, nonacid, mesic Vertic Haplaquepts), which are high in montmorillonitic clay content and have high cation exchange capacities, had higher Cd content than the other soils sampled. Except for two sites, grain Cd content was similar to values reported in the literature. Corn yields were found to be generally lower on Karnak soils than on other soils, raising the possibility that observed lower than expected yields are related to the poor physical characteristics of these soils rather than heavy metal pollutants in floodwaters. 8 refs., 1 fig., 6 tabs.
- OSTI ID:
- 5026714
- Journal Information:
- Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis; (United States), Vol. 24:19-20; ISSN 0010-3624
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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MAIZE
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BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
CONTAMINATION
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CADMIUM
CHROMIUM
LEAD
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GRAMINEAE
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MAGNOLIOPHYTA
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TRANSITION ELEMENTS
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