Cadmium accumulation in plants and animals of polluted and nonpolluted grasslands

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · J. Environ. Qual.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq1977.00472425000600040016x· OSTI ID:5204938

Munshower, F F

Cadmium concentrations in soils, plants, and animals from two sites in southwestern Montana were determined. Primary emphasis was placed upon agriculturally important plants and animals. One of the sites had a history of pollution from a smelter complex, while the second had no history of industrial contamination. Determination of extractable Cd in soils collected at intervals along a line from the smelter to the polluted study site showed that this smelter was probably the source of the high soil Cd levels. Soils, plants, and animals from the polluted study area showed marked elevations in Cd concentrations compared to the nonpolluted site. Average Cd levels in vegetative samples from polluted and nonpolluted areas were: grasses (Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. and Stipa comata Trin. and Rupr.), 1.72 and 0.07; alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), 0.83 and 0.06; and barley grain (Hordeum vulgare L.), 0.65 and 0.08 ppM, respectively. Average levels in animal tissues were: cattle liver, 0.34 and 0.06; cattle kidney, 1.67 and 0.22; swine liver, 0.24 and 0.14; swine kidney, 0.99 and 0.39 ppM Cd from the polluted and nonpolluted sites, respectively.

• Research Organization: Montana State Univ., Boseman
• OSTI ID: 5204938
• Journal Information: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States) Vol. 6:4; ISSN JEVQA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AGRICULTURE
AIR POLLUTION
ALFALFA
ANIMALS
BARLEY
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
BIOMASS
BODY
CADMIUM
CATTLE
CEREALS
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DISTRIBUTION
DOMESTIC ANIMALS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
GLANDS
GRAMINEAE
GRASS
KIDNEYS
LEGUMINOSAE
LIVER
MAMMALS
METALS
MONTANA
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANS
PLANTS
POLLUTION
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
RUMINANTS
SMELTING
SOILS
SWINE
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
USA
VERTEBRATES