Abstract
We investigated the extent of Sb uptake by maize (Zea mays) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus) from nutrient solutions containing concentrations from 3 to 24 mg/L of potassium antimonate, with the aim of determining the potential of Sb to enter the food chain. The maximum shoot Sb concentrations in Z. mays and H. annuus were 41 mg/kg and 77 mg/kg dry weight, respectively. There was no significant difference in Sb uptake between species. The average bioaccumulation coefficients (the plant/solution concentration quotients) were 1.02 and 1.93 for Z. mays and H. annuus, respectively. Phosphate addition did not affect plant growth or Sb uptake. Antimony uptake by both Z. mays and H. annuus is unlikely to pose a health risk to animals and humans.
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Acknowledgements
We gratefully acknowledge A. Grünwald, R. Saladin, and Viktor Stadelmann for their continuous help and support in the laboratory. This project was financially supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (Grants No. 200021-103768).
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Tschan, M., Robinson, B. & Schulin, R. Antimony uptake by Zea mays (L.) and Helianthus annuus (L.) from nutrient solution. Environ Geochem Health 30, 187–191 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-008-9142-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-008-9142-4