Uptake of thallium from naturally-contaminated soils into vegetables

Thallium transfer from naturally (pedogeochemically) contaminated soils into vegetables was studied. Three different types of top-soil (heavy, medium, and light) were used for pot experiments. The soils were collected from areas with low, medium, and high levels of pedogeochemical thallium (0.3, 1.5 and 3.3 mg kg^-1). The samples of vegetables were collected and analysed. The total content of thallium in soil and the type of soil (heavy, medium and light), plant species and plant variety were found to be the main factors influencing thallium uptake by plants. The uptake of thallium from soils with naturally high pedogeochemical content of this element can be high enough to seriously endanger the food chain. These findings are very important because of the high toxicity of thallium and the absence of threshold limits for thallium in soils, agricultural products, feedstuffs and foodstuffs in most countries, including the Czech Republic.     

Role of mineral nutrition in minimizing cadmium accumulation by plants

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic heavy metal for both plants and animals. The presence of Cd in agricultural soils is of great concern regarding its entry into the food chain. Cadmium enters into the soil–plant environment mainly through anthropogenic activities. Compounds of Cd are more soluble than other heavy metals, so it is more available and readily taken up by plants and accumulates in different edible plant parts through which it enters the food chain. A number of approaches are being used to minimize the entry of Cd into the food chain. Proper plant nutrition is one of the good strategies to alleviate the damaging effects of Cd on plants and to avoid its entry into the food chain. Plant nutrients play a very important role in developing plant tolerance to Cd toxicity and thus, low Cd accumulation in different plant parts. In this report, the role of some macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur and calcium), micronutrients (zinc, iron and manganese), and silicon (a beneficial nutrient) has been discussed in detail as to how these nutrients play their role in decreasing Cd uptake and accumulation in crop plants. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Implications of the use of As-rich groundwater for agricultural purposes and the effects of soil amendments on as solubility

An agricultural site in Segovia province (Spain) contains high levels of arsenic (As) of geological origin in its groundwater, which is used intensively for irrigation. Crops, irrigation waters, and soils were analyzed to evaluate the occurrence of As in this area and its potential impact on the food chain. High As mobility was found in the agricultural soils, related to the application of As in the irrigation waters (14.8-280 μg As L(-1)) and the general alkaline and sandy character of these soils, which imposes a low capacity for As sorption and therefore enhances plant uptake. The use of amendments can also affect the solubility of As in these soils. Evidence for this was evaluated based on a study of the effect of organic (compost) and inorganic (iron oxides-rich rolling mill scale and phosphate fertilizer) amendments. Arsenic solubility in soil and plant uptake were high, but not significantly affected by organic matter or phosphate addition, while As immobilization was associated with addition of iron oxides with the rolling mill scale, although this did not result in a decrease of As uptake by the tested plants.     

Fractionation of stable iron isotopes in higher plants

Although the fractionation of stable iron isotopes by biological processes in the environment is currently a matter of intense debate, the isotope fractionation associated with the growth of higher plants has, to date, not been characterized. We show that iron isotope fractionation induced by higher plants is substantial and also generates systematic plant-specific patterns. We suggest a hypothesis in which these patterns mirror the two different strategies that plants have developed to incorporate iron from the soil: reduction of Fe(III) in soils by strategy I plants results in the uptake of iron, which is depleted in 56Fe by up to 1.6 per mil relative to 54Fe when compared to the available Fe in soils; complexation with siderophores by strategy II plants results in the uptake of iron that is 0.2 per mil heavier than that in soils. Furthermore, younger parts of strategy I plants get increasingly depleted in heavy isotopes as the plant grows, while strategy II plants incorporate nearly the same isotope composition throughout. This points to entirely different translocation mechanisms between strategy I and II plants. Such presumably redox-related differences in translocation have been under debate up to now. We conclude that plant metabolism represents an important cause of isotopic variation in the biogeochemical cycling of Fe. Therefore, heavy stable metal isotope systems now start to be viable indicators of geosphere-biosphere metal transfer processes.     

Comparative floc-bed sediment trace element partitioning across variably contaminated aquatic ecosystems

Significantly higher concentrations of Ag, As, Cu, Ni and Co are found in floc compared to bed sediments across six variably impacted aquatic ecosystems. In contrast to the observed element and site-specific bed sediment trace element (TE) partitioning patterns, floc TE sequestration is consistently dominated by amorphous oxyhydroxides (FeOOH), which account for 30-79% of floc total TE concentrations, irrespective of system physico-chemistry or elements involved. FeOOH consistently occur in significantly higher concentrations in floc than within bed sediments. Further, comparative concentration factors indicate significantly higher TE reactivity of floc-FeOOH relative to sediment-FeOOH in all systems investigated, indicating that both the greater abundance and higher reactivity of floc-FeOOH contribute to enhanced floc TE uptake. Results indicate that floc-organics (live cells and exopolymeric substances, EPS) directly predict floc-FeOOH concentrations, suggesting an organic structural role in the collection/templating of FeOOH. This, in turn, facilitates the sequestration of TEs associated with floc-FeOOH formation, imparting the conserved FeOOH "signature" on floc TE geochemistry across sites. Results demonstrate that the organic rich nature of floc exerts an important control over TE geochemistry in aquatic environments, ultimately creating a distinct solid with differing controls over TE behavior than bed sediments in close proximity (<0.5 m).     

Arsenic in cereals,their relation with human health risk,and possible mitigation strategies

Arsenic (As) contamination of edible plants is now well recognized mainly in Bangladesh, India, and some other countries of South and Southeast Asia and Latin America. It is well known that long-term use of As-contaminated irrigation water adds As to soils and edible plants to adversely affect food production and quality. Consolidated evidence shows that As uptake in edible plants and crops is proportionally associated with the presence of high As in soils and irrigation waters. However, factors such as cultivation method, As speciation, soil composition, origin, and type of plant have major impact on the amount of As uptake. When As is absorbed by crops and edible plants, this may add substantially to the dietary As intake, thus posing human health risks to local inhabitants and to places where the As-contaminated food is exported. To date, limited attention has been paid to the risk of consumption of As-contaminated foods. In this context, our aim was to review As uptake in some of the common and popular cereals that have been a cause of human health risk. We also reviewed possible mitigation options and what needs to be done in the future.     

Potential of Machine Vision Techniques for Detecting Fecal and Microbial Contamination of Food Products: A Review

Consumption of mycotoxin-contaminated agricultural and food products has caused adverse human health effects for many centuries. Although mycotoxin contamination of agricultural products still occurs, application of innovative agricultural practices, food processing, and handling techniques has greatly reduced consumer exposure to mycotoxins. This paper reviews recent developments and potential applications of machine vision systems in replacing current labor-intensive, time-consuming methods by providing a quick, accurate, and low-cost alternative for detecting microbial and fecal contaminants in fresh and processed foods. The basic principles and components of the machine vision system are also discussed.     

Plant uptake of non ionic organic chemicals

Plant uptake of organic chemicals is an important process when considering the risks associated with land contamination, the role of vegetation in the global cycling of persistent organic pollutants, and the potential for industrial discharges to contaminate the food chain. There have been some significant advances in our understanding of the processes of plant uptake of organic chemicals in recent years; most notably there is now a better understanding of the air to plant transfer pathway, which may be significant for a number of industrial chemicals. This review identifies the key processes involved in the plant uptake of organic chemicals including those for which there is currently little information, e.g., plant lipid content and plant metabolism. One of the principal findings is that although a number of predictive models exist using established relationships, these require further validation if they are to be considered sufficiently robust for the purposes of contaminated land risk assessment or for prediction of the global cycling of persistent organic pollutants. Finally, a number of processes are identified which should be the focus of future research.     

混合有机肥用量对烤烟根系活力及根际土壤生物特性的影响

有机肥施用对土壤根际生态区域的影响关系密切,为探讨混合有机肥(草炭、芝麻饼肥、腐植酸、矿质肥)作用下烤烟根际的动态变化,采用盆栽试验,研究了混合有机肥用量对烤烟根系活力、土壤酶活性及微生物量碳(SMBC)的影响。结果表明:(1)增施混合有机肥500 g/株对烤烟根系活力提高效应最大,于移栽后60 d较对照提高了200.06%。(2)增施混合有机肥500 g/株对土壤脲酶、蔗糖酶、过氧化氢酶的提高作用最显著,于移栽后60 d土壤酶活性较对照依次提高了53.45%、33.98%、61.90%,而增施混合有机肥750 g/株对土壤微生物量碳的提高作用最明显,其次为500 g/株的处理,在移栽后60 d分别较对照提高了97.51%和82.04%。(3)混合有机肥作用下,各处理的烤烟根系活力、土壤脲酶、蔗糖酶及微生物量碳均有显著提高,均在移栽后60 d出现峰值。总之,施用适量混合有机肥能提高烤烟根系活力,改善根际土壤环境,以500 g/株的处理最佳。     

Uptake of copper,nickel and zinc by crops growing in contaminated soils

A series of three replicated pot trials is reported in which various crops were grown in soils having enhanced concentrations of copper, nickel and zinc. Concentrations of these elements in the tops of plants harvested at their most sensitive stage were compared with ‘total’ and ‘extractable’ concentrations in soil and with concentrations in soil solutions. There was little difference between the relationships of ‘total’ and ‘extractable’ soil metal and concentrations in plant tissue. In general, the correlation between concentrations of metals in soils and plants was unpredictable. Plants differed in their efficiency of uptake of elements; lettuce assimilated more than the other crops tested (barley, rape and ryegrass). Similarly, soil concentrations of the elements required to achieve toxic thresholds in plant tops increased in the order lettuce, ryegrass, rape and barley. Measurements made with conventional extractants of copper, nickel and zinc in soils can be of value in predicting plant uptake and hence toxicity, only if appropriate calibration curves plotting extractable soil metal against plant uptake are at hand for the particular soils and plants under consideration. Mild extracts are more sensitive to the soil properties, especially pH value, which determine plant uptake and results with metals in soil solution were promising, especially for zinc. Nevertheless, soil analyses for copper, nickel and zinc are not always closely associated with their likely toxicity to crops.     

Effects of a Cumulative,Suboptimal Supply of Multiple Trace Elements in Mice: Trace Element Status,Genomic Stability,Inflammation, and Epigenetics

Scope: Trace element (TE) deficiencies often occur accumulated, as nutritional intake is inadequate for several TEs, concurrently. Therefore, the impact of a suboptimal supply of iron, zinc, copper, iodine, and selenium on the TE status, health parameters, epigenetics, and genomic stability in mice are studied. Methods and results: Male mice receive reduced or adequate amounts of TEs for 9 weeks. The TE status is analyzed mass‐spectrometrically in serum and different tissues. Furthermore, gene and protein expression of TE biomarkers are assessed with focus on liver. Iron concentrations are most sensitive toward a reduced supply indicated by increased serum transferrin levels and altered hepatic expression of iron‐related genes. Reduced TE supply results in smaller weight gain but higher spleen and heart weights. Additionally, inflammatory mediators in serum and liver are increased together with hepatic genomic instability. However, global DNA (hydroxy)methylation is unaffected by the TE modulation. Conclusion: Despite homeostatic regulation of most TEs in response to a low intake, this condition still has substantial effects on health parameters. It appears that the liver and immune system react particularly sensitive toward changes in TE intake. The reduced Fe status might be the primary driver for the observed effects.     

Cadmium concentration in durum wheat grain (Triticum turgidum) as influenced by nitrogen rate,seeding date and soil type

BACKGROUND: Cadmium (Cd) is a trace element that has been associated with various human health problems. Cd enters plants, either by direct absorption through leaves or by uptake from soils, allowing Cd into the food chain. Nitrogen (N) fertilizer management is important in optimizing crop yield and protein content of durum wheat, but may influence Cd availability and hence Cd concentration in crops, with the effects being strongly influenced by environmental conditions and crop cultivar. RESULTS: In field studies, Cd and protein concentration in durum wheat grain differed between cultivars and were strongly affected by N application, with only minor effects of N occurring on concentration and uptake of P and Zn. Protein content increased significantly with N application in five of six site‐years, with the response being generally independent of cultivar and seeding data. Cd concentration also increased with N application in five of six seeding dates, with the response being greater in AC Melita than Arcola in three of the six site‐years. There were large differences in Cd concentration from year to year and with seeding date, indicating a strong environmental influence. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that different cultivars accumulate different levels of Cd in the grain and that seeding date and nitrogen fertilizer management can influence grain Cd concentration, with the magnitude of effects varying with environmental factors. In the future we may be able to manipulate management practices to optimize protein concentration and minimize Cd concentration in durum wheat, which could help to address the health and safety concerns of consumers. © Society of Chemical Industry and Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada     

In vivo synchrotron study of thallium speciation and compartmentation in Iberis intermedia

Thallium (TI) is a metal of great toxicological concern and its prevalence in the natural environment has steadily increased as a result of manufacturing and combustion practices. Due to its low natural abundance and increasing demand, TI is the fourth most expensive metal, thus, recovery and reuse could be a profitable endeavor. The hyperaccumulator Iberis intermedia was examined via in vivo micro-X-ray absorption near edge (micro-XANES) and micro-X-ray fluorescence (micro-XRF) spectroscopies to determine the speciation and distribution of TI within leaves of the plant. I. intermedia plants were cultivated under controlled conditions in 0, 10, and 20 mg TI kg(-1) soil leading to a shoot concentration of up to 13 430 mg TI kg(-1) dry weight plant mass during 10 weeks of growth. Live plant leaves were examined by micro-XANES and micro-XRF which determined aqueous TI(I) to be the model species distributed primarily throughout the vascular network. A direct relationship of vein size to TI concentration was observed. The high uptake of TI and high potential biomass of I. intermedia, combined with knowledge of TI speciation and compartmentation within the plant, are discussed in terms of accumulation/tolerance mechanisms, consequences for potential food chain contamination, and phytomining strategies to reclaim TI-contaminated soils, sediments, and waters.     

Symposium 2 Part 2: Food Production for a Growing World Population

ABSTRACT: Transition towards sustainable development is claimed as a common goal for the world society in many different documents. Within the agricultural sector, this transition is extremely urgent, since agricultural food production is fundamental to the survival of our civilization. Together with a rapidly growing world population, there are losses of arable land due to erosion and soil infertility caused by nonsustainable production methods. Along with such problems follow potential contamination of groundwater resources as well. Most of the nutrient and pesticide contamination of groundwater originates from agricultural soils. In this presentation, sound solutions to the major environmental issues of limiting contamination of soils and groundwater by modifying agricultural practices are discussed. The causes of pollution are briefly explained and existing measures for the reduction of agricultural non-point-source pollution of nutrients and pesticides are described, analyzed, and evaluated.     

镉对玉米的毒害机理及积累和转运机制

由于工矿业的不合理发展,玉米(Zea mays L.)农业生产受到了土壤镉(Cd)污染的威胁。由于在Cd胁迫下玉米产量与品质降低,故外源Cd对玉米的毒害作用及其机理受到广泛关注。同时,玉米对Cd的吸收与积累导致Cd可能通过玉米产品进入食物链,威胁人类健康,因此对玉米Cd转运和积累机制的研究已经成为分子生物学与植物生理学研究的热点之一。文章通过介绍Cd胁迫对玉米内源性植物激素系统、光合作用、水分及矿质元素吸收的影响,分析Cd毒害机理,探讨了Cd在玉米中短距离运输和长距离运输的途径及镉移动过程中的积累机制,并提出了降低玉米Cd积累的农艺防控措施,以期为后续的研究提供新的思路与方向。     

An investigation of ripening and handling strategies for early season kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa cv Hayward)

The proportion of the world's population that cannot get enough food to eat is increasing. Research has led to methods of increasing yields in ‘good’ soils with heavy inputs of fertilisers and other agrochemicals. But millions of people have to rely on food grown with few inputs on soils that are difficult to manage and present severe nutritional problems. There is a pressing need to devise sustainable systems of production that increase yields for these people. The problems that need to be overcome and the opportunities for advance are examined. Innovative agronomic practices are being developed that show promise of success. Quantitative models for soil and plant processes have also been developed and should be applied, to a greater extent than at present, in assessing possible practices in a given area, and in adapting practices to suit conditions. In addition there are a range of new techniques for measuring soil conditions and plant characteristics which should greatly facilitate progress. New methods of supplying crops with nutrients and water have led to spectacular improvements in the production of many horticultural crops in the Western world. Improvements in quality and the introduction of new products have been especially notable. They have enriched the lives of the consumer and created wealth for the producer. Pollution of the environment occurs almost everywhere. It has contributed to the economic decline of some of the earliest industrial areas of the world. Methods of overcoming the chemical constraints to plant growth on polluted and disturbed soils have been devised and have played a major part in improving the appearance of some of these former industrial areas and enabling them to attract modern industries and to enjoy new prosperity. Forest decline brought about by atmospheric pollution is becoming very serious in Western Europe and the USA. So far the only practical remedy involves the application of selected nutrients chosen on the basis of site characteristics.     

Organizational unlearning: A risky food safety strategy?

Strategically unlearning specific knowledge, behaviors, and practices facilitates product and process innovation, business model evolution, and new market opportunities and is essential to meet emergent supply chain and customer requirements. Indeed, addressing societal concerns such as climate change and net zero means elements of contemporary practice in food supply chains need to be unlearned to ensure new practices are adopted. However, unlearning is a risky process if crucial knowledge is lost, for example, if knowledge is situated in the supply base not the organization itself, or there is insufficient organizational food safety knowledge generation, curation, and management when new practices/processes are designed and implemented. An exploratory, critical review of management and food safety academic and gray literature is undertaken that aims to consider the cycle of unlearning, learning, and relearning in food organizations and supply chains with particular emphasis on organizational innovation, inertia, and the impact on food safety management systems and food safety performance. Findings demonstrate it is critical with food safety practices, such as duration date coding or refrigeration practices, that organizations “unlearn” in a way that does not increase organizational, food safety, or public health risk. This paper contributes to extant literature by highlighting the organizational vulnerabilities that can arise when strategically unlearning to promote sustainability in a food supply context. Mitigating such organizational, food safety, and public health risk means organizations must simultaneously drive unlearning, learning, and relearning as a dynamic integrated knowledge acquisition and management approach. The research implications are of value to academics, business managers, and wider industry.     

Technological strategies to improve gelation properties of legume proteins with the focus on lupin

There is a growing demand for plant protein due to the increasing number of consumers looking for healthier food options. Protein from the legume seed lupin is a viable plant protein source due its high protein content and agricultural sustainability of lupin production. Lupin protein is however underutilised in food manufacturing due to its poor gelling and thickening properties. This review uncovers the link between lupin protein structural properties and its poor gelling functionality. It will compare lupin with other legume proteins in terms of protein structure and gel quality. Current knowledge of legume protein gelation processes, factors controlling gelation mechanisms and methods for evaluating gel quality will be presented. Finally, green and efficient protein modification technologies to improve gelation will be detailed. This review also reveals the scarcity of information on approaches to improve the poor gelation properties of lupin protein, highlighting the need for research in this area.     

雪茄烟田微生物群落和土壤理化性状与青枯病发生的关系

为明确影响雪茄烟青枯病发生的关键微生物和土壤因素,采用扩增子测序法,研究了青枯病发病与未发病根际土壤细菌和真菌群落结构组成、土壤理化性状及相互间的关系。结果表明,相对于未发病根际土壤,发病土壤有提高微生物多样性和复杂程度的趋势,增加了假单胞菌（Pseudomonas)、肠杆菌（Enterobacter）、弹球菌（Sphaerobolus）、毛枝菌（Trichocladium）、镰刀菌（Fusarium）等的相对丰度,降低了朱氏杆菌（Chujaibacter）、寡养单胞菌（Stenotrophomonas）、罗河杆菌（Rhodanobacter）、被孢霉菌（Mortierella）、毛壳菌（Chaetomium）等的相对丰度。病情指数与土壤含水量（SAWC）、毛管孔隙度（SCM）、有效磷（AP）显著正相关;与土壤通气孔隙度（SAP）、pH、交换性钙（ECa）显著负相关。典型相关、主成分及最小数据集分析表明土壤SCM、AP和劳尔氏菌（Ralstonia）、Chujaibacter相对丰度是雪茄烟青枯病发病的关键土壤及微生物因子。     

不同施肥水平对甘蔗生长及根际土壤微生物的影响

为了探讨不同施肥水平对甘蔗生长和根际土壤微生物的影响,本研究建立了甘蔗原位观察试验基地,分析4个不同施肥水平下新植甘蔗根际土壤微生物的变化及甘蔗生长情况。研究结果表明:增大化肥用量并没有对大田甘蔗有效茎数、株高、茎径和实际产量造成显著的影响。但化肥的施用量会影响根际微生物种群,改变根系内生真菌的定殖率。在50%施肥水平上,甘蔗根系的丛枝菌根真菌(Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi,AMF)定殖率最高,达到54.97%,而在不施肥的处理中,深色有隔真菌(Dark Septate Endophyte,DSE)的定殖率最高,为19.53%。随着化肥用量的增加,土壤酸化,p H值降低。