Cadmium plant absorption

Smilde, K.W., Luit, B. van and Driel, W. van (1992) The extraction by soil and absorption by plants of applied zinc and cadmium. Plant Soil, 143, 233-238. 

Page A.L., Bingham, F.T., Nelson C. Cadmium absorption and growth of various plant species as influenced by solution cadmium concentration. J Environ Qual 1972 1 288-291. 

Human food, both plant and animal, usually contains satisfactory amounts of zinc to cover the requirement for this metal, which is present within the range of few to several pg per g of product. Zinc deficiencies are usually caused by a reduction of its absorption in the gastrointestinal tract rather than by its lack. Reduction in absorption may be caused by antagonistic activity of cadmium, calcium or phytates. A decrease in assimilation of zinc is also observed among alcoholics. 

Cadmium is a widely distributed metal used in manufacturing and is present in a number of consumer products. Dietary exposure to cadmium is possible from shellfish and plants grown on cadmium-contaminated soils. Absorption is increased when associated with low levels of iron or calcium in the diet. Some plants, such as tobacco, can concentrate cadmium from even low levels in the soil. The lung readily absorbs cadmium, thus cigarette smokers have elevated cadmium exposure. Cadmium is also used as a metal alloy, in paint, and in batteries (Ni-Cad, nickel-cadmium). Workplace exposure can occur in welding and battery manufacture. 

Dabin, P., Marafante, E., Mousny, J.M. Myttenaere, C. (1978). Absorption, distribution and binding of cadmium and zinc in irrigated rice plants. Plant and Soil Science 50, 329-41. 

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic heavy metal element, that in plants may cause oxidation damage or even death.1 Research indicated salicylic acid (SA) and lanthanum, may adjust plant physiology pathways or change ion channels to reduce Cd absorption and repair damage caused by Cd stress. SA has been reported to induce a number of defense responses to abiotic stress,2 and La3+ can decrease the accumulation of Cd in crops,3however, whether the mixture of SA and La3+ could alleviate Cd stress is still unclear, and this is the focus of these studies. 

He ZY, Li JC, Zhang HY, Ma M. Different effects of calcium and lanthanum on the expression of phytochelatin synthase gene and cadmium absorption in Lactuca sativa. Plant Sci 2005 168 309-18. 

The increased use of fertilizers makes a large contribution to the penetration of elements into the nutritional chain. The fertilizers can contain, depending on their production and origin, high amounts of particular elements, including toxic ones. By the application of such fertilizers, the content of these elements in the soil is increased and they enter plants via their root system. Certain types of fertilizers, particularly natural superphosphates, contain more than 30 mg kg of cadmium and lead. Depending on the soil pH, absorption of these metals and their accumulation in particular parts of plants is encountered. The increased global use of fertilizers fortified by certain microelements has considerably increased their contents in the soil and foodstuffs. 

Dynamic changes in fractionation of copper cadmium, and lead in maize rhizos-phere soil were observed during a 100-day cultivation period. The initial increases in exchangeable copper and cadmium indicate the effect of root-induced metal mobilization. Decreases in the metal-exchangeable fractions occurred after plant root absorption dominated the change. In the studied soil, pH did not have a significant influence on the metal fractionation. Complexation of root exudates and microbial activity in the rhizosphere were the major causes of the corresponding alterations of metal fractions in the rhizosphere soils. 

Rods, H. A., Buchet, J. P., Lauwerys, R., Bruax, P., Claeys-Thorsau, F., Lafontaine, A., van Overschelde, J. and Verduyn, G. (1978). Lead and cadmium absorption among children near a nonferrous metal plant. Env, Res., 15, 290. Rosenblum, W. J. and Johnson, M. G. (1968). Neuropathologic changes produced in suckling mice by adding lead to the maternal diet. Arch. Pathol., 85, 640 Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution. (1983). Ninth Report. Lead in the Environment. (London HMSO)... 

Roels H, Buchet R, Lauwerys R, Bruaux P, Clays-Tho-reau F, Laafontaine A, Overschelde J, and Verduyn J. (1978). Lead and cadmium absorption among children near a nonferrous metal plant. Environmental Research, 15, 290-308. 

Cadmium is a soft, ductile, bluish white metal. It may be alloyed with lead, tin and bismuth in the manufacture of fusible metals for automatic sprinkler systems, fire alarms and electrical fuses. Cadmium has been used as a control or shielding material in atomic energy plants because of its high absorption of low-energy neutrons. Nickel-cadmium batteries are in common use for specialized purposes, but intensive research is going on in order to develop a more ecofriendly anode material as an alternative to cadmium. 

STEWART I. 1963. Chelation in the absorption and translocation of mineral elements. Annual Review of Plant Physiology, 14, 295-310. STRICKLAND R.C., CHANEY W.R. and LAMOREAUX R.J. 1979. Organic matter influences phytotoxicity of cadmium to soybeans. Plant and Soil, 5, 393-402. 

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