Availability of heavy metals for uptake by Salix viminalis on a moderately contaminated dredged sediment disposal site

Meers, E., Lamsal, S., Vervaeke, P., Hopgood, M., Lust, N. and Tack, F. M. G. (2005) Availability of heavy metals for uptake by Salix viminalis on a moderately contaminated dredged sediment disposal site. Environmental Pollution, 137 (2). pp. 354-364. ISSN 0269-7491 doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2004.12.019

Abstract/Summary

Extractability of Cd. Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in a dredged sediment disposal site was assessed using single extraction Procedures (H2O; 0.01 M CaCl2; 1 M NH4OAc NH4OAc-EDTA. CaCl2-TEA-DTPA). Only Cd and Zn were Found to exceed statutory threshold values for total content. The field was planted with Salix viminalis "Orm" and accumulation of heavy metals in bark, leaves, roots, and wood was evaluated at seven sampling locations along an observed gradient in texture and pollution. Biomass production was high, ranging from 13.2 to 17.8 t ha(1) y(1) dry weight. Metal accumulation in aboveground Plant parts Was low. amounting to the following annually extracted mass or metals per ha: 5034 g Zn, 83 g Cd. W g Cu. 83 g Pb, 12 g Ni and 6 g Cr. The use of accumulating clones and the use of soil amendments might enhance extraction efficiency in future research. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.