Cadmium and Zinc uptake by volunteer willow species and elder rooting in polluted dredged sediment disposal sites

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 299; no. 1; pp. 191 - 205
• Main Authors: Vandecasteele, Bart, De Vos, Bruno, Tack, Filip M.G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.11.2002
• Subjects: bioindicators; Cadmium; Cadmium - pharmacokinetics; Conservation of Natural Resources; Dredged sediments; Environmental Monitoring; Geologic Sediments - chemistry; Heavy metals; Landfills; Plant Leaves - chemistry; Plant Roots - chemistry; Plant Roots - physiology; Refuse Disposal; Salix; Salix - chemistry; Sambucus - chemistry; Sambucus nigra; Soil Pollutants - pharmacokinetics; Willow; Zinc; Zinc - pharmacokinetics; Cadmium; Salix; Willow; Landfills; Heavy metals; Dredged sediments; Zinc
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/S0048-9697(02)00275-9

Salix species and Sambucus nigra L. (elder) naturally invade dredged sediment landfills and are commonly encountered on substrates contaminated with heavy metals. Foliar concentrations of Cd and Zn in four Salix species and elder were explored in the field. Metal contents in dredged sediment derived soils were elevated compared to baseline concentration levels reported for Flanders. To evaluate foliar concentrations, reference data were compiled from observations in nurseries, young plantations and unpolluted sites with volunteer willow vegetation. Willows grown on polluted dredged sediment landfills showed elevated foliar Cd and Zn concentrations (>6.6 mg Cd/kg DW and >700 mg Zn/kg DW). This was not the case for elder. For willow, a significant relation was found between soil total Zn or Cd and foliar Zn or Cd, regardless of age, species, or clone. Willows proved to be useful bioindicators. Results indicated a possible threat in long-term habitat development of willow brushwood from transfer of Cd and Zn to the food web.