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Bioaccumulation of vanadium (V), niobium (Nb) and tantalum (Ta) in diverse mangroves of the Indian Sundarbans

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Abstract

Background and aims

Vanadium (V), niobium (Nb), and tantalum (Ta), recognized as Technology-Critical Element (TCE), are highly growing in demand for industrial development. Despite their economic relevance, little is known about their environmental concentrations, especially in marine ecosystems like mangroves. This paper describes concentrations and distribution patterns of Group Va elements (V, Nb and Ta) in plant organs and sediments from diverse mangroves of the Indian Sundarbans.

Method

Sediment cores and plant organs of eight dominant mangrove species were sampled and analyzed for V, Nb and Ta by ICP-MS. Stable carbon isotope (δ13C) in mangrove leaves were analyzed by EA-IRMS.

Result

Mean concentrations (mg kg−1) of V, Nb and Ta decreased in the order V (84.7 ± 12.5) > Nb (37.5 ± 4) > Ta (3 ± 0.8) in the sediment and V (0.6 ± 0.6) > Nb (0.02) > Ta (0.002) in the mangrove plants. Species-specific variability in bioaccumulation factor (V: 0.012–0.035; Nb: 0.001–0.003; Ta: 0.001–0.005), translocation factor (V: 0.5–5.1; Nb: 0.26–7.06; Ta: 0.22–2.56) and enrichment factor (V: 0.008–0.027; Nb: 0.0002–0.001; Ta: 1.0 × 10−5-3.0 × 10−6) indicated different partitioning of Group Va elements within the plant organs and varying degree of mangrove uptake efficiency.

Conclusion

Results showed a general decrease in V, Nb and Ta concentrations with their increasing atomic weight. Their total concentrations in plants were related to the degree of enrichment of substrate sediments. The phytoextraction capacity varied amongst mangrove species depending on their CO2 uptake efficiency. Given increased demand for TCEs, results may have important implications for bioremediation processes.

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Acknowledgements

SKM was supported by University Grant Commission, New Delhi with a minor research project (No. F, PSW-076/13-14, ERO). RR and AGG are indebted to LabexMER International Postdoctoral Program (FNP150009-DOCTRAY), and Laboratoire d’Excellence LabexMer (ANR-10-LABX-19), respectively. We thank V. Mavromatis (GET, Toulouse) for helping in ICP-MS measurements. Authors sincerely thank the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve for giving permission to undertake this study inside the mangrove forest. The Editor and anonymosus Reviwers are greatly acknowledged for their constructive comments and edits. .

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute (AORI), The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Japan

    R. Ray

  2. Department of Chemistry, West Bengal State University, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Centenary College, Rahara, Kolkata, India

    B. Dutta

  3. Department of Chemistry, The University of Calcutta, Sundarban Hazi Desarat College, South 24 Parganas, Pathankhali, India

    S. K. Mandal

  4. Department of Marine Science, The University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India

    S. K. Mandal & T. K. Jana

  5. Instituto de Oceanografía y Cambio Global, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain

    A. G. González

  6. GET (Géosciences Environnement Toulouse) UMR 5563 CNRS, University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France

    O. S. Pokrovsky

  7. BIO-GEO-CLIM Laboratory, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia

    O. S. Pokrovsky

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  1. R. Ray
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Ray, R., Dutta, B., Mandal, S.K. et al. Bioaccumulation of vanadium (V), niobium (Nb) and tantalum (Ta) in diverse mangroves of the Indian Sundarbans. Plant Soil 448, 553–564 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-020-04450-2

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