Bioaccumulation of trace metal(loid)s and toxic response of Lactuca sativa grown in shooting range soil

Abstract

Contamination of shooting range soil with trace metal(loid)s, especially Pb, is an important issue due to its potential environmental hazards. The aim of the study was to evaluate the bioavailability and toxicity of Sb, Fe, and Ni to lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) grown in highly contaminated soil (Pb 0.4—55 g kg⁻¹, Sb < 0.5 g kg⁻¹) of a civilian shooting range. Lettuce growth was negatively affected, especially of plants grown in the most highly contaminated soil, which was near the target lines, where roots accumulated Pb up to 40 g kg⁻¹ (max 56 g kg⁻¹), 10 times higher than in the shoots. Sb, Fe, and Ni were also accumulated in the roots, but their translocation to the shoots was low.

Keywords:

• Soil pollution
• small arm firing ranges
• lead
• antimony
• lettuce
• bioaccumulation

Acknowledgements

The study was performed using the equipment of the Department of Environmental Science of Vytautas Magnus University and Lithuanian Energy Institute.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).