Detection and enrichment characteristics analysis of common heavy metal content in different organs of Hunan lotus seed

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the heavy metal content in sediment and various organs of Hunan lotus seed in a planting area, as well as to explore the characteristics of heavy metal accumulation and transfer in Hunan lotus seed. Methods: A typical planting area in Hunan Province was selected for this research. The contents of Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni, Cu, Zn and Mn were measured using an inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometer. The bioconcentration factor （BCF） and transfer factor （TF） were used to evaluate the heavy metal accumulation and transfer ability of Hunan lotus seed. Results: The average content of Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Mn in the sediment were 0.73, 176.28, 40.48, 27.61, 28.07, 95.57 and 311.68 mg/kg, respectively. Compared with the limit values of NY/T 391—2021, the exceeding rates of Cd, Cr, and Pb content are 100%, 75%, and 10%, respectively. The highest concentrations and contents of these 7 heavy metals were Cd, Cu and Zn in the lotus core, Cr and Pb in the root, Ni in the lotus-seed kernel and Mn in the leaves, with an average content of 0.20, 13.64, 78.58, 14.66, 2.23, 1.11 and 924.03 mg/kg, respectively. The BCFMn values for both stems and leaves exceeded 1. The TFCu values for all organs were greater than 1. Conclusion: This study reveals that there is serious pollution from Cd within the study area. The content of heavy metals in different organs of Hunan lotus seed is different. Lotus stems and leaves has strong enrichment of Mn, and Cu had strong transfer ability in Hunan lotus seed.

Keywords

• hunan lotus seed
• heavy metal pollution
• bioconcentration factor
• transfer factor