Abstract
A laboratory technique has been developed to rapidly assess the potential uptake of contaminants by plants growing into waste burial sites. A soil-less planting media was used to provide rapid plant growth and reproducible growing conditions. The uptake of contaminants by several plant species grown on uranium mill tailings materials has been examined. The bioavailability of Mo, Se, Cl, and other trace metals in tailings was greater than in a surface soil from a uranium mining area. Significant differences in nutrient and contaminant contents in aboveground biomass were found between species.
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Dreesen, D.R., Cokal, E.J. Plant uptake assay to determine bioavailability of inorganic contaminants. Water Air Soil Pollut 22, 85–93 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00587466
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00587466