Pteris vittata coupled with phosphate rock effectively reduced As and Cd uptake by water spinach from contaminated soil. (May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hua, Chen-Yu; Chen, Jun-Xiu; Cao, Yue; Li, Hong-Bo; Chen, Yanshan; Ma, Lena Q.
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 247(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-05
• Subjects: Phytoremediation -- Insoluble P -- Heavy metal -- Co-contamination -- Plant uptake -- Food safety; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.125916
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: Arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) are ubiquitous in the environment and they are both toxic to humans. When present in soils, they can enter food chain, thereby threatening human health. Water spinach ( Ipomoea aquatica ) is an important leafy vegetable, which is widely consumed in Asian countries. However, it is efficient in taking up As and Cd from soils and accumulating them in the edible parts. Therefore, it is of significance to reduce its As and Cd content, especially in contaminated soil. In this study, pot experiments were conducted to investigate the ability of As-hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata in reducing As and Cd uptake by water spinach under different phosphorus treatments. P. vittata was grown for 60 d in a contaminated-soil amended with P fertilizer (+P) or phosphate rock (+PR), followed by water spinach cultivation for another 30 d. Plant biomass, As and Cd contents in plants and soils, and soil pH were analyzed. We found that, P. vittata coupled with PR decreased the As concentration in water spinach shoots by 42%, probably due to As uptake by P. vittata . Moreover, P. vittata decreased the Cd accumulation in water spinach by 24–44%, probably due to pH increase of 0.47–0.61 after P. vittata cultivation. Taking together, the results showed that P. vittata coupled with PR decreased the As and Cd content in water spinach, which is of significance for improving food safety and protecting human health. Graphical abstract: Image 1028895 Highlights: Soluble P decreased As uptake by P. vittata (PV) from a As/Cd-contaminated soil. Sparingly-soluble phosphate rock (PR) showed little impact on PV As uptake. Effectiveness of PV and/or PR in reducing metal uptake by water spinach was tested. PV + PR decreased As concentration in water spinach shoots by 42%. PV decreased Cd accumulation in water spinach by 24–44% via increasing soil pH.