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Low-cost agricultural measures to reduce heavy metal transfer into the food chain - a review

Author

Listed:
  • M. Puschenreiter

    (Department of Forest and Soil Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria)

  • O. Horak

    (Department of Environmental Research, ARC Seibersdorf Research GmbH, Austria)

  • W. Friesl

    (Department of Environmental Research, ARC Seibersdorf Research GmbH, Austria)

  • W. Hartl

    (Ludwig Boltzmann Insitute for Organic Agriculture and Applied Ecology, Vienna,)

Abstract

Heavy metal contamination affects large areas of Europe and worldwide. Hot spots of pollution are located close to industrial sites, around large cities and in the vicinity of mining and smelting plants. Agriculture in these areas faces major problems due to heavy metal transfer into crops and subsequently into the food chain. This paper gives an overview on simple but effective countermeasures to reduce the transfer of heavy metals to edible parts of crops. Since crop species and varieties largely differ in their heavy metal uptake, choosing plants with low transfer factors (e.g., legumes, cereals) may reduce metal concentration in edible parts significantly. Cultivating crops with higher heavy metal uptake capacity, e.g., spinach or lettuce should be avoided. The application of soil amendments is another very effective measure to reduce the concentration of heavy metals in crops. Both organic (e.g., farmyard manure) and inorganic amendments (e.g., lime, zeolites, and iron oxides) were found to decrease the metal accumulation. Further effective methods to reduce metal transfer into food chain include crop rotation and cultivation of industrial or bio-energy crops. It is concluded that the methods presented here comprise several tools, which are easy to apply, and are effective to allow safe agriculture on moderately contaminated soils.

Suggested Citation

  • M. Puschenreiter & O. Horak & W. Friesl & W. Hartl, 2005. "Low-cost agricultural measures to reduce heavy metal transfer into the food chain - a review," Plant, Soil and Environment, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 51(1), pages 1-11.
  • Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:51:y:2005:i:1:id:3549-pse
    DOI: 10.17221/3549-PSE
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. M. Hejcman & S. Vondráčková & V. Müllerová & K. Červená & J. Száková & P. Tlustoš, 2012. "Effect of quick lime and superphosphate additives on emergence and survival of Rumex obtusifolius seedlings in acid and alkaline soils contaminated by As, Cd, Pb, and Zn," Plant, Soil and Environment, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 58(12), pages 561-667.
    2. Y. Yang & Q.L. Wang & M.J. Geng & Z.H. Guo & Z. Zhao, 2011. "Rhizosphere pH difference regulated by plasma membrane H+-ATPase is related to differential Al tolerance of two wheat cultivars," Plant, Soil and Environment, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 57(5), pages 201-206.
    3. A. Hanč & P. Tlustoš & J. Száková & J. Balík, 2006. "The Cd mobility in incubated sewage sludge after ameliorative materials additions," Plant, Soil and Environment, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 52(2), pages 64-71.
    4. Senad Murtić & Ćerima Zahirović & Hamdija Čivić & Emina Sijahović & Josip Jurković & Jasna Avdić & Emir Šahinović & Adnana Podrug, 2021. "Phytoaccumulation of heavy metals in native plants growing on soils in the Spreča river valley, Bosnia and Herzegovina," Plant, Soil and Environment, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 67(9), pages 533-540.

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