Factors affecting uptake of lead by plants

Book · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1973

OSTI ID:5775523

Arvik, J H

Lead solutions were added to soils and the subsequent ability of plants to absorb lead from the soils were studied. For soils of three texture classes, addition of lead solutions to the surface until soil moisture saturation occurred resulted in stratification, with more than 95% of the lead remaining in the top cm. No added lead was found below the 3rd cm in any of the soils. Plant uptake of lead in a sandy loam decreased as lead residence time in the soil increased up to approximately 48 hr. Apparatus for the generation of particulate aerosols is described. The system was used to challenge crop plants with aerosols of PbBrCl. Virtually all of the lead added to plants in this manner could be removed by chloroform rinse or mild acid washes, suggesting that the lead remained as a topical coating on the foilage. No significant amount of lead could be found in roots, fruit, or new growth of the shoots following exposure to lead aerosols. Absorption of lead by plant roots was studied in the presence of varied pH, low temperature, and metabolic inhibitors. Optimum uptake of the metal occurred at pH 4.5-5.5, with reduced uptake at more acid or neutral conditions. Low temperatures reduced uptake. Metabolic inhibitors did not inhibit uptake of lead by plant roots.

• OSTI ID: 5775523
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560303* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Plants-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ABSORPTION
AEROSOL GENERATORS
CHLORIDES
CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
CONTAMINATION
DEPOSITION
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
INHIBITION
LEAD
LEAD CHLORIDES
LEAD COMPOUNDS
LEAD HALIDES
MASS TRANSFER
METALS
PH VALUE
PLANTS
RESPONSE MODIFYING FACTORS
ROOT ABSORPTION
SOILS
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
UPTAKE