A Single Extraction Procedure of Soil for Evaluation of Uptake of Some Heavy Metals by Plants

Abstract The usefulness of single extraction solutions for assessment of the bioavailability of some heavy metals to plants is discussed. Experimental data are given demonstrating the suitability of a single extraction with 0.01 mol/l CaCl2. In a field study, a close relationship was found between the Cd content in vegetables and its concentration in the CaCl2-extract. Furthermore the possibility of evaluating interelemental interaction during plant uptake by measuring different elements in the same extract is shown for Cd and Zn. The ability of the extract to reflect changes in metal binding on to the soil is shown for Ni in competition with Cu.