Transfer of Metals in Food Chain: An Example with Copper and Lettuce
- Publication date
- Publisher
- RTU
Abstract
Present study investigated the possible transfer of
metals in the food chain (from soil to edible plants). The
experiment was done with lettuce Lactuca sativa grown in
different types of soil contaminated with copper (Cu2+) in various
concentrations, with or without addition of humic substances.
The highest content of copper was detected in lettuce samples
grown in soils with lower levels of organic matter, thus indicating
the importance of soil organics in metal transfer routes and
accumulation rates in plants. It was found that copper
accumulation in lettuce grown in contaminated soils can be
significantly reduced by the addition of humic substances