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Cadmium and Zinc Contents of Corn Leaf and Grain Produced by Sludge‐amended Soil
Author(s) -
Jones Robert L.,
Hinesly T. D.,
Ziegler E. L.,
Tyler J. J.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq1975.00472425000400040018x
Subject(s) - cadmium , zinc , loam , chemistry , agronomy , zea mays , sewage sludge , soil water , biology , sewage , environmental engineering , environmental science , soil science , organic chemistry
Liquid digested sludge (heated anaerobic digestion) was incorporated at different rates in Blount silt loam over 3 and 4 years. Cadmium and Zn were determined in corn ear leaf at tassel and in grain ( Zea mays L.) in 1971 and 1972. Cadmium and Zn extractable from soil with 0.1/V HCI were also estimated. The elements increased in soil and tissue with sludge application. Cadmium in leaf was not affected significantly by soil pH but Cd in grain was significantly reduced above and below pH 6. Below pH 6.3, Zn content in the leaf was substantially increased by increasing availability of Zn. However, above pH 7 when large amounts of Zn were available, increases in leaf content were not observed. Zinc concentrations in grain, except at high levels in soil (about 200 ppm by 0.1/V HCI) and low pH (about 4.8), follow the distribution of Cd. Highest Cd content in grain was about 1.0 ppm when about 15 ppm of available Cd was present; this Cd level was associated with about 40 ppm Zn.