title: Quantifying nickel in soils and plants in an ultramafic area in Philippines.
abstract: In this study, concentrations of nickel (Ni) were quantified in the soils and plants in the agricultural areas of Salcedo watershed in Eastern Samar Island, Philippines. The quantity of total Ni in soils (TS-Ni) was significantly high with a mean of 1,409 mg kg(-1), while the soil available Ni (SA-Ni) was low with a mean of 8.66 mg kg(-1). As the levels of TS-Ni in the Salcedo watershed greatly exceeded the maximum allowable concentrations for agricultural soils, the site is not suitable for agricultural purposes. Despite significant TS-Ni levels, SA-Ni levels were very low due to tight binding between Ni and soil components. Consequently, all plants investigated did not meet the criterion for a Ni hyperaccumulator plant with low Ni contents (mean TP-Ni of 14.7 mg kg(-1)). Comparison of Ni levels between food plants and its recommended daily intake (RDI) suggests that consumption of food-plants grown in the study area is unlikely to pose health risks. However, caution must be taken against combined consumption of food plants with high Ni levels or their prolonged consumption, as it can induce accumulation of Ni above RDI.
authors: Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Sejong University, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Janice P
authors: JP
authors: Susaya
authors: Ki-Hyun
authors: KH
authors: Kim
authors: Victor B
authors: VB
authors: Asio
authors: Zueng-Sang
authors: ZS
authors: Chen
authors: Ian
authors: I
authors: Navarrete
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D009532:Nickel / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D010679:Philippines; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D012989:Soil Pollutants; D009532:Nickel