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Heavy Metal Tolerance Mechanism of Plants and Improvement in Contaminated Soil

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A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Soil and Plant Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2023) | Viewed by 15484

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Dr. Xiaojiao Han

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1. State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China
2. Key Laboratory of Tree Breeding of Zhejiang Province, The Research Institute of Subtropical of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Hangzhou 311400, China
Interests: heavy metals; tolerance and accumulation; molecular mechanism
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Dr. Yuping Zhang

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State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou, China
Interests: improvement of contaminated soils; aboitic stresses; physiogical mechanism
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Dr. Yikai Zhang

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Dear Colleagues,

Heavy metal (HM) pollution caused by anthropogenic activities, such as mining, smelting, and fertilizer application, is increasing worldwide, and these activities cause HMs to leach into groundwater or accumulate on the soil surface. HMs can be absorbed and can accumulate in plants, and then enter the human body through the food chain. Although many metals are essential for plant cells (e.g., copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn)), all metals are toxic at high concentrations. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the tolerance or accumulation mechanism of plants to heavy metals, so as to establish comprehensive treatment technology regarding plant–soil interactions and achieve the treatment of contaminated soil.

The Special Issue “Heavy Metal Tolerance Mechanism of Plants and Improvement in Contaminated Soil” will publish comprehensive reviews and original research articles that cover the latest and novel discoveries on the mechanism of heavy metal tolerance in plants and improvement in contaminated soil, including metals such as Cd, Cu, Mn, Zn, Fe, Se, Pb.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1) Molecular or physiological mechanisms of heavy metal tolerance or accumulation;

(2) Integration of transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics in heavy metal response;

(3) Comprehensive treatment technology of plant–soil interactions for contaminated soil;

(4) The genetic transformation of plants in their adaptation to heavy metal stresses.

Dr. Xiaojiao Han
Dr. Yuping Zhang
Dr. Yikai Zhang
Guest Editors

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Keywords

heavy metals
tolerance and accumulation
molecular mechanism
physiogical mechanism
improvement of contaminated soils

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Heavy Metal Tolerance Mechanism of Plants and Improvement in Contaminated Soil—Second Edition in Agronomy (1 article)

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Research

14 pages, 2980 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Phytoremediation of Toxic Lead from Contaminated Soil Using Neyraudia reynaudiana: Soil of Xuzhou as a Case Study

by Fuyao Chen, Shaoliang Zhang, Zanxu Chen, Yuanyuan Zhang and Bo Cao

Agronomy 2024, 14(1), 118; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14010118 - 02 Jan 2024

Viewed by 764

Abstract

Lead (Pb), as one of the main pollution elements, has resulted in large-scale soil pollution around the world. Even if phytoremediation can solve this problem, the selection of restoration potential plants has always been a scientific problem. As a multifunctional repair plant, Neyraudia reynaudiana can rehabilitate both polluted soils and slopes. N. reynaudiana has been widely used in terrain restoration in southern China before. This study was the first to study the growth and Pb absorption and enrichment capacity of N. reynaudiana in Xuzhou, north of the Yangtze River. In this study, N. reynaudiana was planted in soils with different lead concentrations, and the change of lead content in roots, shoots, and soils, as well as the redox enzyme, was tested and analyzed during each growth stage. The results showed that the roots could absorb Pb and transfer 79.45% to the shoots at most. With the growth of the plant, the ability to accumulate and transfer gradually increased. Moreover, when the soil Pb concentration was above 800 mg kg⁻¹, the ability to accumulate by N. reynaudiana was significantly restrained. Furthermore, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and peroxidase (POD) first acted on the redox response in the initial phase, while increasing the pollutant concentration or the growth of N. reynaudiana in the later stage, and the glutathione reductase (GR) redox system continued to feed back on the lead stress. This study proved that N. reynaudiana is a kind remediation plant for lead pollution soil and could repair soil with a lead pollution concentration lower than 800 mg kg⁻¹. The results provide a theoretical reference for clarifying the action mechanism and threshold value of N. reynaudiana in rehabilitating soil lead pollution and provide practical guidance for the planting proportion of N. reynaudiana. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heavy Metal Tolerance Mechanism of Plants and Improvement in Contaminated Soil)

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16 pages, 2065 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Applying Nitrogen Fertilizer at the Full Heading Stage Has the Potential to Decrease Brown Rice Cd Accumulation

by Yusheng Zhang, Huan Xiao, Qiaomao Chen, Qi Jiang and Hejun Ao

Agronomy 2024, 14(1), 33; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14010033 - 21 Dec 2023

Viewed by 858

Abstract

Soil contamination by cadmium (Cd) has presented a major challenge in China. The objective of the field experiments in this study was to examine the influence of nitrogen fertilizer application at the full heading and milky stages on minimizing the absorption of Cd in rice. This was achieved by affecting the distribution of Cd in root plaques and subcellular compartments of the root and flag leaf. The hydroponic culture experiments aimed to examine the effect of nitrogen and Cd interaction or deficiency on Cd accumulation in rice during the late growth stage. The findings revealed that adequate nitrogen supply during the early growth stage, coupled with nitrogen application during the full heading and milky stages, led to a notable increase in Fe concentration in the root plaques during the milk and mature stages. Furthermore, it elevated the Cd proportion in the soluble fraction of the flag leaves at the milky stage. Conversely, nitrogen deficiency during the early growth stage resulted in a significant increase in Fe concentration in the root plaques, along with a decrease in Cd concentration. Additionally, the proportion of Cd in the flag leaf cell walls increased significantly, while the proportion in the soluble fraction decreased notably. Irrespective of nitrogen supply during the early growth stage, applying nitrogen at the full heading stage significantly reduced Cd transport from shoots to brown rice, leading to a considerable reduction in the Cd concentration in brown rice. Under hydroponic culture conditions, combined Cd exposure with nitrogen supply significantly increased the Cd concentration in brown rice. Nitrogen supply had no impact on the Cd concentration in brown rice in the absence of Cd. The study showed that applying nitrogen fertilizer at the full heading stage effectively decreased the brown rice Cd concentration. This was achieved by elevating the concentration of Fe in the root plaque, thereby influencing the adsorption of Cd by the roots. Additionally, nitrogen application at the full heading stage can influence the distribution of Cd in flag leaf cells during the filling stage. Ensuring ample nitrogen supply in the early stage of rice growth is crucial, and nitrogen application at the full heading stage can effectively reduce the Cd concentration in brown rice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heavy Metal Tolerance Mechanism of Plants and Improvement in Contaminated Soil)

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15 pages, 5068 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Heavy Metals Can Affect Plant Morphology and Limit Plant Growth and Photosynthesis Processes

by Zhewei Hu, Caiyi Zhao, Qi Li, Yanhong Feng, Xiaoyu Zhang, Yuanyuan Lu, Rongrong Ying, Aijing Yin and Wenbing Ji

Agronomy 2023, 13(10), 2601; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13102601 - 12 Oct 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1606

Abstract

Soil heavy metal pollution caused by human activities has become one of the most critical environmental issues with a global concern. Phytoremediation is widely used due to its low cost and environmental friendliness. However, the impact of heavy metals on plant growth remains unclear. This study investigated the effects on the growth and photosynthetic activity of Picris divaricata Vant. under different cadmium concentrations using a hydroponics cultivation system. The results showed that the growth and photosynthetic processes of P. divaricata exhibited a phenomenon of promotion in low Cd concentrations and inhibition in high Cd concentrations. Under a low to medium Cd concentration (≤25 μM), there was no Cd toxicity in terms of plant growth, but high concentrations of Cd inhibited plant growth. The Fe content of leaves gradually increased as the Cd concentration increased; it reached 201.8 mg kg⁻¹ in 75 μM Cd. However, there was no significant difference in Mn between the 75 μM Cd treatment and the control (p > 0.05). The contents of carotenoid ranged between 3.06 and 3.26 mg/g across the different Cd treatments, showing no significant differences. The treatment with 5–75 μM Cd did not directly affect the photosynthesis of P. divaricata. Higher Cd concentrations reduced the stomatal density on the of P. divaricata leaves, resulting in stomatal and mesophyll conductance limitations, indirectly affecting P. divaricata photosynthesis. These research results provide a reference for evaluating and selecting heavy metal tolerant plants and provide environmentally friendly approaches to remediate heavy metal pollution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heavy Metal Tolerance Mechanism of Plants and Improvement in Contaminated Soil)

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17 pages, 12799 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genome-Wide Identification of Pleiotropic Drug Resistance (PDR) Transporters in Salix purpurea and Expression Analysis in Response to Various Heavy Metal Stresses

by Shuxin Chen, Juanjuan Chen, Zhuchou Lu, Yuhan Jia, Yuying Yang, Renying Zhuo and Xiaojiao Han

Agronomy 2023, 13(9), 2330; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13092330 - 06 Sep 2023

Viewed by 949

Abstract

Pleiotropic drug resistance (PDR) transporters, which are part of the ABCG subfamily of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, have been found to be involved in heavy metal tolerance. Salix species (willow) is widely regarded as a perfect candidate for phytoremediation of heavy metals because of its substantial biomass, strong tolerance, and remarkable capacity to accumulate heavy metals. However, the phylogeny and mechanisms underlying the response to heavy metals within the PDR family in willow have yet to be determined. In this study, we discovered and valuated a total of 21 PDR genes in the genome of Salix purpurea. The phylogenetic relationships of these genes were used to classify them into five major clades. The SpPDRs exhibited variations in exon-intron distribution patterns and gene lengths across different branches. Cis-acting elements linked to stress response, drought induction, low temperature, and defense response were discovered in the promoters of PDRs. Significant variations in the transcription levels of various PDR genes were observed across different tissues under heavy metal stress, with distinct heavy metals regulating different PDR members. In roots, PDR4 and PDR21 exhibited high expression levels. Meanwhile, PDR7 and PDR17 showed similar transcription patterns across all analyzed tissues. Furthermore, there was a significant and positive correlation between PDR5 and PDR16, whereas a significant and negative correlation was detected between PDR3 and PDR9, suggesting that the response of PDR members to heavy metals is complex and multifaceted. These findings will establish a vital basis for comprehending the biological functionalities of PDR genes, specifically their involvement in the regulation of willow’s tolerance to heavy metals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heavy Metal Tolerance Mechanism of Plants and Improvement in Contaminated Soil)

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20 pages, 3299 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Responsible Mechanisms for the Restriction of Heavy Metal Toxicity in Plants via the Co-Foliar Spraying of Nanoparticles

by Abolghassem Emamverdian, Abazar Ghorbani, Yang Li, Necla Pehlivan, James Barker, Yulong Ding, Guohua Liu and Meisam Zargar

Agronomy 2023, 13(7), 1748; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13071748 - 28 Jun 2023

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 2289

Abstract

Bamboo is nutritionally significant across the world because the shoots are high in calories and nutritional fiber but low in cholesterol. However, recent research has shown that bamboo shoots also contain a substantial quantity of heavy metals, including arsenic (As). Therefore, we explored whether the co-application of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) and selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) would attenuate As toxicity in bamboo plants (Pleioblastus pygmaeus). A greenhouse experiment was performed to investigate plant responses to arsenic toxicity. Bamboo plants exposed to four levels of As (0, 10, 20, and 40 mg L⁻¹) were foliar-sprayed with 60 mg L⁻¹ of Se-NPs and 60 mg L⁻¹ of IONPs alone and in combination. The data indicated that different As concentrations (10, 20, and 40 mg L⁻¹) caused membrane damage and reactive oxide species (ROS) production in bamboo cells, characterized by H₂O₂, O₂^•−, MDA, and EL increasing by up to 47%, 54%, 57%, and 65%, respectively, in comparison with a control. The co-application of 60 mg L⁻¹ of Se-NPs + IONP markedly improved the antioxidant enzyme activities (by 75% in SOD, 27% in POD, 52% in CAT, 37% in GR, and 38% in PAL), total flavonoid content (42%), phenolic content (36%), proline (44%), nitric oxide (59%), putrescine (Put) (85%), spermidine (Spd) (53%), relative water content (RWC) (36%), photosynthetic characteristics (27%) in net photosynthesis (Pn) (24% in the intercellular CO₂ concentration (Ci), 39% in stomatal conductance (Gs), and 31% in chlorophyll pigments), and ultimately biomass indices and growth. The co-application of Se-NPs + IONPs with 10 and 20 mg L⁻¹ of As raised the TI by 14% and 9% in the shoot and by 18% and 14% in the root, respectively. IONPs and Se-NPs reduced ROS, cell membrane lipoperoxidation, and electrolyte leakage, all contributing to the decrease in oxidative stress by limiting As uptake and translocation. In sum, Se-NPs and IONPs improved bamboo endurance, yet the most effective approach for increasing bamboo’s ability to recover from As toxicity was the concurrent use of 60 mg L⁻¹ of Se-NPs and 60 mg L⁻¹ of IONPs. Our IONP and Se-NP data from single and combined applications offer novel knowledge in improving the tolerance mechanism against As exposure in Pleioblastus pygmaeus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heavy Metal Tolerance Mechanism of Plants and Improvement in Contaminated Soil)

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16 pages, 3647 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Bacterial Community Structure as Influenced by Biodegradable Film Mulching in Eastern China

by Jiahuan Xiong, Tiancheng Ye, Kaixuan Sun, Yizhuo Gao, Huizhe Chen, Jing Xiang, Yaliang Wang, Zhigang Wang, Yuping Zhang and Yikai Zhang

Agronomy 2023, 13(6), 1535; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13061535 - 31 May 2023

Viewed by 1203

Abstract

Machine transplanting technology of biodegradable films has solved the problems of the higher cost of artificial film and the serious environmental pollution of polyethylene film residue. Previous studies have shown the positive impact of mulching on mitigating global warming potential. However, the mechanisms underlying the association between greenhouse gas emissions and the bacterial community structure in paddy field soil with biodegradable film mulching (BM) still remain limited. In this study, greenhouse gas emissions and the associated bacterial community in non-mulching, biodegradable mulching in a paddy field in Eastern China were analyzed over the 2019 and 2020 rice growing seasons. Rice mulching cultivation significantly inhibited CH₄ emissions from a rice paddy, mainly due to the significant reduction in methane emission peaks. Film mulching significantly increased the diversity of the bacterial community as revealed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The relative abundance of methanogens was decreased, while the relative abundance of methanotrophs was increased in the paddy soil due to the BM treatment, with the change pattern basically consistent with CH₄ emissions. The N₂O emissions during the growth period showed a pronounced downward trend. However, the total abundance of bacteria involved in nitrification and denitrification was higher under BM. Mulching cultivation improved the soil nutrient availability and significantly increased the yield by 5.0%. BM inhibited the greenhouse gas emission intensity (GHGI) of the paddy field by 46.9%. Film mechanical transplanting could promote yield increases and significantly mediate the warming potential (GWP) of greenhouse gases in the paddy fields of the Middle-Lower Yangtze Area. The rational use of film mechanical transplanting would play a role in carbon neutrality in paddy fields. This study provided a theoretical basis for paddy field emission reduction and sustainable agricultural development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heavy Metal Tolerance Mechanism of Plants and Improvement in Contaminated Soil)

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23 pages, 4802 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Soil-to-Wheat Transfer of Heavy Metals Depending on the Distance from the Industrial Zone

by Violeta Mickovski Stefanović, Svetlana Roljević Nikolić, Mirela Matković Stojšin, Helena Majstorović, Mladen Petreš, Dejan Cvikić and Gordana Racić

Agronomy 2023, 13(4), 1016; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13041016 - 30 Mar 2023

Viewed by 1563

Abstract

The accumulation of heavy metals in the environment is one of the most significant environmental problems due to the potential risk to human and animal health. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of the distance from the industrial zone on the heavy metal content in the soil and vegetative parts of wheat. A field experiment with four wheat genotypes was conducted in the area of the city of Pancevo, Serbia, at three locations at different distances from the industrial zone. By atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), concentrations of five heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Cr, Cu, and Cd) were determined in the soil and wheat. The highest total content of Zn, Cr, Cu, and Cd in the soil (72.5, 27.3, 26.2, and 0.3 mg kg⁻¹, respectively) was found at the location closest to the industrial zone, while the highest content of Pb (28.9 mg kg⁻¹) was recorded at a location that is in the immediate vicinity of a road. Heatmap correlations and PCA analysis show a significant relationship between the content of heavy metals in the soil and the plant. Genotype Pobeda had the lowest content of Cr, Cu, and Cd in the root and the lowest content of all the analyzed heavy metals in the stem. The highest translocation factor of heavy metals was found in the genotype Apache, which had the highest content of Pb, Cr, and Cu in the stem. The highest heavy metal bioaccumulation and translocation were established for Cd content (0.86 and 1.93). The obtained results indicate a potential ecological risk in the immediate vicinity of the industrial zone, while the difference in the accumulation of heavy metals between the studied genotypes opens new aspects for breeding programs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heavy Metal Tolerance Mechanism of Plants and Improvement in Contaminated Soil)

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13 pages, 3093 KiB

Open AccessArticle

SpHsfA4c from Sedum plumbizincicola Enhances Cd Tolerance by the AsA–GSH Pathway in Transgenic Populus × canescens

by Miao Yu, Zhengquan He, Shaocui Li, Zhuchou Lu, Juanjuan Chen, Tongbao Qu, Jing Xu, Wenmin Qiu, Xiaojiao Han and Renying Zhuo

Agronomy 2023, 13(3), 760; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13030760 - 06 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1629

Abstract

The ascorbate (AsA)–glutathione (GSH) metabolism pathway is an important antioxidant system in cadmium (Cd) detoxification; the AsA–GSHpathway is generally regulated by a specific set of functional genes. However, transcription factors involved in AsA–GSH pathway have yet to be identified. Herein, we transformed a heat shock transcription factor SpHsfA4c from Sedum plumbizincicola into Populus. × canescens. Under 100 μM CdCl₂ stress for 30 d, the leaf chlorosis of wild-type poplars (WT) is more serious than that in transgenic poplars. The root biomass, shoot biomass and tolerance index (TIs) of transgenic poplars were higher than those in WT. In addition, transgenic poplars have higher Cd²⁺ uptake and Cd content. Compared with WT, the contents of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and superoxide anion (O₂^•−) in transgenic poplars were significantly reduced in leaves under Cd treatment. The expression levels of five enzymes (ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalases (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST)) were higher in transgenic poplars than those in WT. Transgenic poplars contained higher concentrations of intermediate metabolites, including GSH, AsA and phytochelatins (PCs), and a higher GSH/GSSG ratio in the AsA–GSH metabolism pathway. In Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, the characteristic peaks indicated that the contents of cysteine, GSH and AsA in transgenic poplars were exceeded compared to those in WT. These results suggested that SpHsfA4c can activate the AsA–GSH metabolism pathway to reduce Cd-associated oxidative stress. Therefore, overexpressing SpHsfA4c in P. × canescens can give rise to a superior Cd tolerance. Our results provide a theoretical significance for breeding potential new germplasm resources with high biomass and high Cd tolerance for remediation of soil heavy metal pollution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heavy Metal Tolerance Mechanism of Plants and Improvement in Contaminated Soil)

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13 pages, 2851 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Phytoremediation Potential of Local Wild Grass Versus Cultivated Grass Species for Zinc-Contaminated Soil

by Jolanta Korzeniowska and Ewa Stanislawska-Glubiak

Agronomy 2023, 13(1), 160; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13010160 - 03 Jan 2023

Viewed by 2132

Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare the phytoremediation potential of cultivated grasses with local wild grass for soil contaminated with zinc. Two pot experiments were carried out on soil artificially contaminated with Zn. Four species of cultivated grasses were used as test plants: Poa pratensis, Lolium perenne, Festuca rubra, Festuca pratensis, and one wild, native grass: Deschampsia caespitosa. Wild grass seeds were collected from soil contaminated with heavy metals near a zinc smelter. The phytoremediation potential of grasses was determined on the basis of the tolerance index (TI), bioaccumulation (BF), and translocation (TF) factors. Differences were found between the species in the reduction in the shoot and root biomass with increasing soil contamination with Zn. The tolerance of the studied grasses to excess Zn in the soil was in the following order: D. caespitosa > L. perenne > F. rubra > F. pratensis > P. pratensis. In addition, there were differences in the accumulation and distribution of Zn between the roots and shoots, which is related to the different defense mechanisms of the studied grasses against Zn phytotoxicity. Of the five grasses tested, the highest phytoremediation potential was shown by D. caespitosa. This grass had a significantly higher tolerance to Zn and a lower transfer of Zn from the roots to shoots than the other cultivated grasses tested. All four cultivated grasses can be useful for phytostabilization because they accumulated Zn mainly in the roots and limited its translocation to the shoots. Unlike wild grass seeds, cultivated grass seeds are readily available commercially and can be used for the phytoremediation of HM-contaminated sites. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heavy Metal Tolerance Mechanism of Plants and Improvement in Contaminated Soil)

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18 pages, 6431 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Potential Heavy Metal Contamination Hazards Based on GIS and Multivariate Analysis in Some Mediterranean Zones

by Mohamed S Shokr, Mostafa A. Abdellatif, Radwa A. El Behairy, Hend H. Abdelhameed, Ahmed A. El Baroudy, Elsayed Said Mohamed, Nazih Y. Rebouh, Zheli Ding and Ahmed S. Abuzaid

Agronomy 2022, 12(12), 3220; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12123220 - 19 Dec 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1687

Abstract

One of the most significant challenges that global decision-makers are concerned about is soil contamination. It is also related to food security and soil fertility. The quality of the soil and crops in Egypt are being severely impacted by the increased heavy metal content of the soils in the middle Nile Delta. In Egypt’s middle Nile Delta, fifty random soil samples were chosen. Inverse distance weighting (IDW) was used to create the spatial pattern maps for four heavy metals: Cd, Mn, Pb, and Zn. The soil contamination levels in the research area were assessed using principal component analysis (PCA), contamination factors (CF), the geoaccumulation index (I-Geo), and the improved Nemerow pollution index (I_n). The findings demonstrated that using PCA, the soil heavy metal concentrations were divided into two clusters. Moreover, the majority of the study region (44.47%) was assessed to be heavily to extremely polluted by heavy metals. In conclusion, integrating the contamination indices CF, I-Geo, and In with the GIS technique and multivariate model, analysis establishes a practical and helpful strategy for assessing the hazard of heavy metal contamination. The findings could serve as a basis for decision-makers to create effective heavy metal mitigation efforts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heavy Metal Tolerance Mechanism of Plants and Improvement in Contaminated Soil)

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