Heavy Metal Accumulation in Soil Amended with Roadside Pond Sediment and Uptake by Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Abstract

The effect of addition of roadside pond sediments on heavy metal contents of flooded rice paddies was studied to investigate the yield of rice and uptake of heavy metal by rice straw and grain. Sequential extraction of heavy metals on sediments shows that the percentage contribution of metals in the labile fraction follows the order lead (Pb, 48%) > copper (Cu, 42%) > zinc (Zn, 31%) > cadmium (Cd, 16%) > chromium (Cr, 9%) > nickel (Ni, 6%). The risk assessment code (RAC) for pond sediment revealed that Cr and Ni were found in the low-risk zone, Zn and Cd in the medium-risk zone, and Cu and Pb in the high-risk zone. However, though the heavy metal concentration in rice grain does not exceed the range acceptable for human consumption, it still represents a significant additional source of heavy metals in the diet. The addition of pond sediment significantly increased the rice yield over control. Therefore, pond sediment would be a valuable resource for agriculture if it is properly used.

Keywords:

• Oryza sativa L.
• risk assessment code
• sequential extraction
• soil pollution
• trace elements
• waste

Acknowledgments

The author gratefully acknowledges the financial support of Nature's Beckon, an environmental activist group in northeast India. The author is also thankful to Dr. Sampa Das, Dibrugarh Polytechnic, Dibrugarh, Assam for her suggestions while preparing the manuscript. My sincere gratitude also goes to the anonymous reviewers for their valuable and constructive suggestions on improving the manuscript.