• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.191-198
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• 2014

Absorption and accumulation of heavy metals in plants were determined by phytoavailable contents rather than total contents of heavy metals. Therefore, phytoavailability-based management protocol should be prepared for safe food crop production in contaminated agricultural lands. This study was conducted to understand the distribution and phytoavailability of heavy metal in the Korean agricultural soils affected by abandoned mining sites along with investigation of soil properties (soil pH, OM, DOC, clay content, Al/Fe/Mn content) influencing on the metal phytoavailability. For this, 142 agricultural soils located nearby 39 abandoned mining sites distributed in five province in Korea, were analyzed. Among the four different heavy metals, cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) appeared to exist in more phytoavailable form than cupper (Cu) and lead (Pb). Soil pH was the main factor governing phytoavailable Cd, Pb, and Zn showing positive relationship with partitioning coefficients of the corresponding metals; Cd (r = 0.66, P < 0.001), Pb (r = 0.70, P < 0.001), and Zn (r = 0.62, P < 0.001). This implied higher phytoavailability of the corresponding metals with higher soil pH. In contrast, phytoavailability of Cu (r = 0.41, p < 0.01) was only negatively related with soil DOC (dissolved organic carbon).

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.171-178
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• 2013

BACKGROUND: Consensus of heavy metal phytoavailability in soils needs to be introduced for soil management protocols in relation to safer food production in the contaminated agricultural soils. For this, setting up the method for evaluation of metal phytoavailability in soil is an essential prerequisite. METHODS AND RESULTS: The current study was carried to select a proper single extraction method for determination of phytoavailable metal concentration in soil. Two extraction methods were examined including 1 M $NH_4NO_3$ extraction and 0.01 M $Ca(NO_3)_2$ extraction methods using 142 soil samples collected from the agricultural soils nearby abandoned mining area in Korea. Corelation analysis was conducted between phytoavailable metal concentrations and soil properties potentially influencing on the metal phytoavailability. Both methods showed similar significance (p<0.001) in correlation with soil properties such as soil pH. However, higher correlation coefficients between phytoavailable metal concentrations and soil properties were observed when used $Ca(NO_3)_2$ extraction rather than using $NH_4NO_3$ extraction. CONCLUSION(S): It appeared that 0.01 M $Ca(NO_3)_2$ extraction was better option for determination of phytoavailable metals in soils and further study to test the efficiency of this method is required in combination with plant uptake.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.261-267
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• 2011

ACKGROUND: Cadmium (Cd) has long been recognized as one of most toxic elements. Application of organic amendments and phosphate fertilizers can decrease the bioavailability of heavy metals in contaminated soil. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study was conducted to evaluate effect of combined application of phosphate fertilizer and manure in reducing cadmium phytoavailability in heavy metal contaminated soil. Phosphate fertilizers [Fused and super phosphate (FSP) and $K_2HPO_4$ (DPP)] and manure (M) were applied as single application (FSP, DPP, and M) to combined application (FSP+M and DPP+M) before radish seeding. $K_2HPO_4$ decreased $NH_4OAc$ extractable Cd and plant Cd concentration, mainly due to increases in soil pH and negative charge. However, FSP increased $NH_4OAc$ extractable Cd and plant Cd concentration. Manure significantly increased soil pH and negative charge. Combined application of phosphate fertilizer and manure were much more effective in reducing Cd phytoavailability than a simple application of each component. Calculated solubility diagram indicated that Cd concentrations in the solution of soils amended with phosphate fertilizers and manure were undersaturated with respect to all potential Cd minerals [$Cd_3(PO_4)_2$, $CdCO_3$, $Cd(OH)_2$, and $CdHPO_4$]. Plant Cd concentration and $NH_4OAc$ extractable Cd were negatively related to soil pH and negative charge. CONCLUSION: Alleviation of Cd phytoavailability with phosphate fertilizer and manure can be attributed primarily to Cd immobilization due to the increase in soil pH and negative charge rather than Cd and phosphate precipitation. Therefore, combined application of alkaline phosphate materials and manure is effective for reducing Cd phytoavailability.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.210-214
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• 2005

To reduce effectively cadmium (Cd) phytoavailability by phosphate in mine tailing affected soil, fused and super phosphate (FSP), a main phosphate fertilizer in South Korea, was selected as phosphate source and then applied at the rates of 0, 78, 390, and 780 $P_2O_5kg\;ha^{-1}$. FSP did not decrease Cd extractability and radish Cd uptake, but increased significantly. The effect of Cd supplement and soil negativity increase through FSP application was not significant. Soil pH decreased markedly with increasing FSP application, which increased significantly soil Cd extractability and radish Cd uptake. As a result, phosphate fertilizer for reducing Cd phtyoavailability in heavy metals contaminated soil should be carefully selected as alkaline type.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.271-281
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• 2014

BACKGROUND: Application of the transfer functions derived from local soil data is necessary in order to develop proper management protocols for agricultural soils contaminated with heavy metals through phytoavailability control of the heavy metals. The aim of this study was to derive the transfer functions of Korean agricultural soils affected by the abandoned mining sites and evaluate suitability of the derived transfer functions. METHODS AND RESULTS: 142 agricultural soils affected by the abandoned mining sites were collected and analyzed. Two extraction methods, including 1 M $NH_4NO_3$ extraction and 0.01 M $Ca(NO_3)_2$ extraction were applied to determine phytoavailable metal pools in soils. Multiple stepwise regression of phytoavailable metal pools against the corresponding total metal concentration and soil properties was conducted to derive suitable transfer functions for estimating phytoavailable heavy metal pools. Applicability of the derived transfer functions was examined by calculating NME and NRMSE. CONCLUSION: Soil pH and organic matter were valid variables for derivation of the transfer functions which were applicable for estimating phytoavailable metal concentrations in the soils being contaminated by heavy metals. In addition, it was confirmed that transfer functions need to be developed based on local soil conditions to accurately estimate heavy metal-phytoavailability.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.12-20
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• 2017

Various types of organic materials could affect differently immobilization of cadmium (Cd) and its uptake by plant grown in soil. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate effect of different organic materials in reducing Cd phytoextractability in contaminated arable soil. To do this, rice straw and composted manure were selected as organic materials and applied at the rate of 0, 15, 30, and $45Mg\;ha^{-1}$ in Cd contaminated arable soil with $6.5mg\;kg^{-1}$ of total Cd. Radish (Raphanus sativa L.) was seeded and grown for 50 days to evaluate Cd phytoavailability with different organic materials. Composted manure was more effective to decrease $1M\;NH_4OAc$ extractable Cd concentration and increase pH of soil than rice straw. $One\;M\;NH_4OAc$ extractable Cd concentration significantly decreased with increasing application rate of composted manure. Tendency of Cd uptake by radish plant with application of different organic materials was similar to that of $1M\;NH_4OAc$ extractable Cd concentration and soil pH. Changes of soil pH with application of straw and composted might be one of factors to determine extractability and phytoavailability of Cd in this study. Radish yield significantly increased with up to $45Mg\;ha^{-1}$ of composted manure application but did not with straw application. In the view point of Cd phytoextractability and plant productivity, it is recommended to apply composted manure rather than straw in Cd contaminated arable soil.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.1-9
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• 2012

As topographic characteristics of Korea where 64 % of the national land area is forest and only 17 % is being used as farmland, remediation of farmland contaminated by heavy metals is a considerably important issue. In this study, as an alternative of practically and effectively remediating farmland which was abandoned as its crop plants exceeded maximum residue limit of heavy metals due to mining impact, applicability of stabilization method was examined through the pilot-scale field experiment. Three plots ($L{\times}W{\times}D=3m{\times}2m{\times}0.3m$) were installed at the selected farmland and in plot 1, only soil of the selected farmland was applied, in pilot 2, soil of the selected farmland plus 3 % limestone (w/w) was applied and in pilot 3, soil of the selected farmland plus 3 % limestone was applied and then uncontaminated soil was covered thereon (0.3 m). After that, seeds of radish, Korean cabbage and soybean of which characteristics of edible portions are different were sowed on each plot and cultivated. Afterwards, at a proper harvesting time (app. 80 days later), crop plants and soil were collected and phytoavailability (0.11 M HOAc extractable) of heavy metals in soil and accumulated concentration of heavy metal in edible portion of crop plants were examined. As a result, it was revealed that phytoavailability of heavy metals in soil added with limestone (plot 2) was clearly reduced compared with plot 1 (untreated) and owing to this treatment, accumulated concentration of heavy metals in edible portion of crops was also clearly reduced compared with plot 1. While radish cultivated in plot 1 had exceeded maximum residue limit of agricultural products, in particular, plot 2 using limestone had shown concentration lower than maximum residue limit and this plot had shown little difference with 3 plot where crop was cultivated in uncontaminated soil cover. Therefore, it was considered that for abandoned farmland like the selected farmland, reducing mobility and phytoavailability of heavy metals and reducing crop uptake through stabilization method would be an effective and practical alternative for producing safe agricultural products on a sustained basis.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.864-871
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• 2010

At the current situation of continuous utilization of heavy metal contaminated upland for agricultural purpose in Korea, minimizing transport of heavy metals from soil to crops is important for securing safety of human health. The present study (in field scale) examined the efficiency of several soil amendments (dolomite, steel slag, lime, zeolite, and compost) on reduction of phytoavailable heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) in soil through comparison with no amendment treatment and clean soil cover treatment. For determination of the phytoavailability, 1 M $NH_4NO_3$ extraction and red pepper cultivation were introduced. Among the amendments, in general, dolomite and steel slag were the most effective in reduction of metal (Cd, Pb, and Zn) phytoavailability resulting in less accumulation of these metals in shoot and fruit of red pepper. However, dolomite and steel slag treatment was not as effective as clean soil cover treatment which showed the least metal accumulation in red pepper fruit. Nevertheless, with taking into account the cost, treatment of dolomite or steel slag can be competitive method because the current study showed that dolomite or steel slag treatment reduced accumulated heavy metal concentration effectively in both shoot and fruit of red pepper compared to those from control soil and the concentration in fruit was within the standard value (<0.2 mg $kg^{-1}$ for both Cd and Pb).

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.39-45
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• 2010

In order to treat paddy soils contaminated by Pb, Cd, and As near the abandoned mine, $H_2PO_4$ was used for stabilization of Pb ($PO_4$/Pb mole ratio of 2/1). In addition, $CaCO_3$ and $FeSO_4$ were used as stabilizers for treating Cd and As (2% w/w), respectively. Leaching tests were conducted with artificial rain in the column to assess the heavy metal stabilization efficiency. The mass of heavy metals in the effluents passed through the columns were analyzed. The remaining heavy metals in the soils were also analyzed as Korean soil standard method, phytoavailability test and sequential extraction test. Lead in the effluent was not detected when $H_2PO_4$ was used as a stabilizer. This result suggests that $H_2PO_4$ is efficient for Pb stabilization. In addition results of sequential extraction scheme suggest that heavy metals are present as residual forms which is not easily extracted.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 2014

Agricultural soils surrounding mine areas in South Korea are often contaminated with multiple metals such as Cd, Pb and Zn. It poses potential risks to plants, soil organisms, groundwater, and eventually human health. The aim of this study was to examine the changes in phytoavailability of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn after application with calcined eggshell (CES; 0, 1, 3, and 5% W/W) in an agricultural soil contaminated by mine tailings. The contents of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in soils were 8.79, 65.4, 1602, and $692mgkg^{-1}$ (aqua regia dissolution), respectively. The experiments were conducted with lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. longifolia) grown under greenhouse conditions during a 30-d period. $NH_4NO_3$ solution was used to examine the mobile fraction of these metals in soil. The application of CES dramatically increased soil pH and inorganic carbon content in soil due to CaO and $CaCO_3$ of CES. The increased soil pH decreased the mobile fraction of Cd, Pb, Zn: from 3.49 to < $0.01mgkg^{-1}$ for Cd, from 79.4 to $1.75mgkg^{-1}$ for Pb, and from 29.6 to $1.13mgkg^{-1}$ for Zn with increasing treatment of CES from 0 to 5%. In contrast, the mobile fraction of Cu was increased from 0.05 to $3.08mgkg^{-1}$, probably due to the formation of soluble $CuCO_3{^0}$ and Cu-organic complex. This changes in the mobile fraction resulted in a diminished uptake of Cd, Pb and Zn by lettuce and an increased uptake of Cu: from 4.19 to < $0.001mgkg^{-1}$ dry weight (DW) for Cd, from 0.78 to < $0.001mgkg^{-1}$ DW for Pb, and from 133 to $50.0mgkg^{-1}$ DW for Zn and conversely, from 3.79 up to $8.21kg^{-1}$ DW for Cu. The increased contents of Cu in lettuce shoots did not exceed the toxic level of $>25mgkg^{-1}$ DW. The mobile contents of these metals in soils showed a strong relationship with their contents in plant roots and shoots. These results showed that CES effectively reduced the phytoavailability of Cd, Pb, and Zn to lettuce but elevated that of Cu in consequence of the changed binding forms of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in soils. Based on these conclusions, CES can be used as an effective immobilization agent for Cd, Pb and Zn in contaminated soils. However, the CES should be applied in restricted doses due to too high increased pH in soils.