Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Characteristics of heavy metal accumulation in Broussonetia papyrifera in an antimony mine

Author(s):

Fangping Tong ^1*, Yingzhong Long ¹, Jiangxing Yi ², Gui Li ², Wenfeng Shi ², Aiqin Yi ¹

Recieved Date: 2011-07-08, Accepted Date: 2011-10-13

Abstract:

In order to investigate the phenomenon of bioaccumulation of heavy metals in Broussonetia papyrifera, we selected plants which grew in the forests with or without serious heavy metal (Sb, As, Cd and Hg) contamination. Our findings showed no difference in the biomass and structures of various organs between the Broussonetia papyrifera plants in the heavy-metal contaminated locations in the antimony mine area and uncontaminated. The accumulation amounts of Sb, Pb, Cd, Hg, As, Cu and Zn in the roots, branches, stems and leaves of Broussonetia papyrifera plants showed very significant difference between the contaminated and uncontaminated locations. Broussonetia papyrifera is a woody plant that has a strong capacity for accumulating various heavy metals such as Sb, Zn, Pb and As. The sequence in which the heavy metals such as Sb, As and Pb accumulate in Broussonetia papyrifera in the contaminated locations was leaves>branches>stems>roots, and the sequence of Zn-accumulation was leaves>branches>roots>stems. The amounts of Sb, Zn, Pb and As accumulated by whole plants of Broussonetia papyrifera in the contaminated locations were 155.85, 150.12, 37.56 and 18.9033 mg kg^-1, respectively. Of these amounts, 85% of heavy metals were accumulated in the aerial parts of Broussonetia papyrifera, and more than 60% in the leaves. These findings showed that Sb, Zn, Pb and As accumulate mainly in the leaves and branches of Broussonetia papyrifera. Broussonetia papyrifera could be the ideal candidate for ecological and vegetation restorations in the locations contaminated by heavy metals in antimony mines.

Keywords:

Antimony mine area, heavy metal contamination, accumulator plant, Broussonetia papyrifera

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Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2011
Volume: 9
Issue: 3&4
Category: Environment
Pages: 701-705

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