title: Distribution and phytoavailability of heavy metal chemical fractions in artificial soil on rock cut slopes alongside railways.
abstract: Artificial soil is often sprayed onto cut slopes alongside railroad tracks to promote revegetation. This study evaluated the heavy metal content and the distribution of heavy metal chemical fractions in the soil, as well as the uptake of heavy metals by plants. The soil at four sites was determined to be considerably contaminated with Cd and Pb. The concentrations of Cd and Pb increased with the length of time the railway had been in use and decreased further away from the railway tracks. Pb primarily existed in reducible form but as residual fractions, whereas Cd was predominantly in exchangeable form. A correlation analysis indicated that pH, organic matter, and total phosphorus levels were important factors affecting the distribution of the heavy metal chemical fractions. The amounts of exchangeable Pb and Cd in the soil were highly correlated with their amounts in the plants sampled, indicating that the exchangeable fraction is a better indication of heavy metal phytoavailability than the total amount of heavy metals in the soil. Bioaccumulation and translocation factors indicated that Indigofera amblyantha had moderate tolerance and bioaccumulation capability for Pb, as did Leucaena leucocephala for Cd. These two plant species can serve as ideal slope remediation plants.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, Sichuan, PR China; Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu 610500, Sichuan, PR China.
authors.forename: Zhaoqiong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, Sichuan, PR China. Electronic address: aiyw99@sohu.com.
authors.forename: Yingwei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ai
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, Sichuan, PR China.
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, Sichuan, PR China.
authors.forename: Kexiu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, CAS, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, PR China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Shenzhen Tiehan Ecological Environment Limited Liability Company, Shenzhen 518040, PR China.
authors.forename: Shui
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Qingdao Guanzhong Ecological Limited Liability Company, Qingdao 266102, PR China.
authors.forename: Chunlin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, Sichuan, PR China.
authors.forename: Jingyao
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, Sichuan, PR China.
authors.forename: Zhiyu
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002104:Cadmium / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D007887:Fabaceae / Q000378:metabolism*; D031751:Festuca / Q000378:metabolism*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis; D031785:Poa / Q000378:metabolism*; D011890:Railroads; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D012989:Soil Pollutants; D002104:Cadmium; D010758:Phosphorus; D007854:Lead
keywords: Artificial soil; Heavy metal; Phytoavailability; Rock cut slope