Effects of Garden Amendments on Soil Available Lead and Plant Uptake in a Contaminated Calcareous Soil
Gardeners use organic and inorganic substances to enhance plant growth, which can inadvertently impact soil solubility and plant uptake of unknown contaminants. Consequently, human exposure can increase through gardening and consumption of produce grown in potentially contaminated soils. A greenhous...
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MDPI AG
2021-06-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/13/5777 |
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| author | Tara Geiger Urszula Norton |
| author_facet | Tara Geiger Urszula Norton |
| author_sort | Tara Geiger |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Gardeners use organic and inorganic substances to enhance plant growth, which can inadvertently impact soil solubility and plant uptake of unknown contaminants. Consequently, human exposure can increase through gardening and consumption of produce grown in potentially contaminated soils. A greenhouse experiment was established to examine the effects of biochar, compost, and common inorganic fertilizer on soil lead (Pb) availability for radish (<i>Raphanus sativus</i>, L.) and lettuce (<i>Lactuca sativa</i>, L.) grown in a calcareous soil containing excessively high lead (Pb), along with Pb accumulation in radish tissue. Results indicate that soil amended with biochar and planted to radish saw an 18% reduction in available Pb and an 11% decrease in plant tissue content when compared to the control. Compost showed an 8% reduction in available Pb, but a 19% increase in tissue content. In contrast, soil with inorganic fertilizer planted to radish increased in both soil Pb availability by 11% and Pb tissue content by 40%. Adding water-soluble inorganic fertilizers to contaminated calcareous soils without added organic matter enhances soil Pb availability and often asymptomatic plant Pb bioaccumulation. In conclusion, gardeners are encouraged to test their soils for contamination and apply biochar in combination with compost, as this combination is recommended to improve soil health and aid in overcoming initial N deficiencies induced by biochar. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T10:12:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f58da72db0a64368a154e54e6b9a7e6f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T10:12:12Z |
| publishDate | 2021-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| spelling | doaj.art-f58da72db0a64368a154e54e6b9a7e6f2023-11-22T01:10:07ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172021-06-011113577710.3390/app11135777Effects of Garden Amendments on Soil Available Lead and Plant Uptake in a Contaminated Calcareous SoilTara Geiger0Urszula Norton1Department of Plant Sciences, University of Wyoming, 1000 E. University Ave., Laramie, WY 82071-3354, USADepartment of Plant Sciences, University of Wyoming, 1000 E. University Ave., Laramie, WY 82071-3354, USAGardeners use organic and inorganic substances to enhance plant growth, which can inadvertently impact soil solubility and plant uptake of unknown contaminants. Consequently, human exposure can increase through gardening and consumption of produce grown in potentially contaminated soils. A greenhouse experiment was established to examine the effects of biochar, compost, and common inorganic fertilizer on soil lead (Pb) availability for radish (<i>Raphanus sativus</i>, L.) and lettuce (<i>Lactuca sativa</i>, L.) grown in a calcareous soil containing excessively high lead (Pb), along with Pb accumulation in radish tissue. Results indicate that soil amended with biochar and planted to radish saw an 18% reduction in available Pb and an 11% decrease in plant tissue content when compared to the control. Compost showed an 8% reduction in available Pb, but a 19% increase in tissue content. In contrast, soil with inorganic fertilizer planted to radish increased in both soil Pb availability by 11% and Pb tissue content by 40%. Adding water-soluble inorganic fertilizers to contaminated calcareous soils without added organic matter enhances soil Pb availability and often asymptomatic plant Pb bioaccumulation. In conclusion, gardeners are encouraged to test their soils for contamination and apply biochar in combination with compost, as this combination is recommended to improve soil health and aid in overcoming initial N deficiencies induced by biochar.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/13/5777biocharcompostinorganic fertilizerheavy metaltrace elementPb bioconcentration factor |
| spellingShingle | Tara Geiger Urszula Norton Effects of Garden Amendments on Soil Available Lead and Plant Uptake in a Contaminated Calcareous Soil Applied Sciences biochar compost inorganic fertilizer heavy metal trace element Pb bioconcentration factor |
| title | Effects of Garden Amendments on Soil Available Lead and Plant Uptake in a Contaminated Calcareous Soil |
| title_full | Effects of Garden Amendments on Soil Available Lead and Plant Uptake in a Contaminated Calcareous Soil |
| title_fullStr | Effects of Garden Amendments on Soil Available Lead and Plant Uptake in a Contaminated Calcareous Soil |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of Garden Amendments on Soil Available Lead and Plant Uptake in a Contaminated Calcareous Soil |
| title_short | Effects of Garden Amendments on Soil Available Lead and Plant Uptake in a Contaminated Calcareous Soil |
| title_sort | effects of garden amendments on soil available lead and plant uptake in a contaminated calcareous soil |
| topic | biochar compost inorganic fertilizer heavy metal trace element Pb bioconcentration factor |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/13/5777 |
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