Soil and Leaf Mineral Element Contents in Mediterranean Vineyards: Bioaccumulation and Potential Soil Pollution

The study reported here concerns the geochemical distributions of macro- and trace elements (including potentially toxic elements, PTEs) in the vineyard soils of Alcubillas, which is one of the oldest, albeit not world-renowned, wine-growing areas in La Mancha (Central Spain). Soil and leaf samples were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry to ascertain the levels of various elements in the soil and the plant. The potential toxicity of the elements was assessed with regard to the development of the vineyard. Despite the fact that fertilizers and pesticides are employed in the vineyards in this area, the results showed that the levels of trace elements in the soil samples did not exceed the reference values according the pedogeochemical values for the region and Spain. This finding suggests that the study area is not polluted, and therefore, there are hardly any traces of anthropogenic contamination. The Biological Absorption Coefficient (BAC) was calculated to assess the assimilation of various elements from the soil to the leaves, and differences were found in the element absorption capacity of the vines. Some elements were not taken up by Vitis vinifera despite elements like Zr and Rb being present in relatively high concentrations in the soil. The production in these soils does not represent a threat to human health or the ecosystem, because the farmers in this area are extremely careful to preserve the environment and they only farm to achieve moderate yields of grapes per hectare.

Correlations between the elemental composition of grapes, soils of the viticultural area and wine

Study of the elemental composition of the soil-grape-wine chain and correlation relationships between the chain links is presented. The objects of the study were grapes of the Muscat, Cabernet and Merlot varieties, wine samples produced from them and soils of the viticultural areas. Concentrations of Li, Mg, Al, K, Ca, V, Mn, Fe, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, Rb, Cd, Pb, Ba, Na, Ti and Sr in soils, grapes and wines were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Relationships between the elemental composition of the objects under study were assessed by statistical modelling using the STATISTICA software. The character of metal distribution in the soil-grape chain was studied for three forms of the element extraction from soils. We determined their gross content, the content of acid-soluble and mobile forms. The degree of absorption of mobile forms of metals by grapes was estimated using «biological absorption coefficient»., Values of the biological absorption coefficient (BAC) of different metals depend on the grape variety. High BAC values are observed for Rb, Ti, Mg, Zn, Cu, Na, Fe, Al, and Sr in Merlot grapes; K, Pbm and Ni in Muscat; and for V and Mn in Cabernet. The lowest BAC values were observed for Co, Ba, and Ca in all grape varieties under study. Each grape variety formed its own individual elemental image due to the different nature of absorption of the studied metals. The transfer of metals from grape to wine for all considered varieties was accompanied by a decrease in the concentrations of Mg, Al, K, Ca, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Ba, Ti, and Sr and by an increase in the content of V, Fe, Co, Pb, and Na. Discriminant analysis revealed the metals with the highest identification properties, considering their form present in the soil. The results obtained can be used when setting markers determining the varietal and regional origin of wines.

Agropyron cristatum (L.) Beauv. as a possible indicator of heavy metal contamination

Due to the increasing negative impact of anthropogenic factors on the state of the environment in man-made regions, the possibility of using Agropyron cristatum (L.) Beauv. to detect contamination of industrial areas Ti, Mn, Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, Sr is being considered. To achieve the research goal the authors have analyzed the content of these metals in vegetable (A. cristatum) and soil samples, taken in the suburbs of Pavlodar (the Pavlodar Region, Kazakhstan) at various distances from the operating industrial enterprises with application of the standard techniques. Geobotanic studies have been carried out using classical methods. Agropyron cristatum, being a digressive-active species, under human-induced conditions mostly becomes a dominant or subdominant in plant communities, including areas where it has historically been represented in little abundance. The underground organs of A. cristatum are characterized by high values of Zn biological absorption coefficient at most points; very high values of АCr and АPb at multiple points. For the above-ground organs of A. cristatum, Zn biological absorption coefficient is also quite high; it is appreciably lower for Mn, but higher than for Ni, Cu, Sr, Ti and Fe. A. cristatum can be used as an indicator of environmental pollution by Zn, Cr, Pb and Mn for the area under investigation and in similar conditions for other regions, especially those in the area of metallurgical enterprises.

Study on the Phytoavailability of Heavy Metal Lead, Copper, Zinc in Ilex Kudingcha C. J. Tseng Soil

Pot experiment was conducted with the cutting seedlings of Ilex kudingcha C. J. Tseng. By adding lead, copper solution and self-exist zinc in soil, we conducted the research for the phytoavailability of heavy metal in the different soil situation. The characterization methods of the phytoavailability were investigated. Results show that lead, copper and zinc are the strong absorption elements from BAC (Biological Absorption Coefficient) averages of 13 groups experiment. The order of BAC averages is lead > copper > zinc. 0.05mol/L EDTA-2Na can be used as the extracting agent of lead or copper, 0.1mol/L HCl can be used as the extracting agent of zinc. They can be used for the characterization methods about the phytoavailability of lead, copper, zinc in soil by the single extraction method. 0.1mol/L HC1 is adopted to extract soil, and weighted ion impulse of the lead, copper, zinc in the extraction fluid is calculated, which can well simultaneously characterize the phytoavailability of heavy metal lead, copper, zinc in kudingcha soil.

Analysis of Heavy Metals Accumulation in Vegetation (as exemplified in Vladimir region)

This paper is devoted to research of heavy metals accumulation by vegetation in Vladimir region (central Russia). The biological absorption coefficient was used for assessment of cumulative ability related to various heavy metals with regard to Picea abies, Vaccinium myrtillus, Hypogymnia physodes. Possible ways of heavy metals migration in the ecosystem, as well as their possible anthropogenic and natural sources have been considered. The special attention is directed on successful application of plants in environment monitoring.