HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Lu, P.-Y. Articles by Hassett, J. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Lu, P.-Y. Articles by Hassett, J. Agricola Articles by Lu, P.-Y. Articles by Hassett, J.

Model Ecosystem Studies of Lead and Cadmium and of Urban Sewage Sludge Containing these Elements¹

ABSTRACT

The environmental fate and effects of cadmium and lead were studied in a laboratory model ecosystem with a terrestrial/aquatic interface, using silica sand, Bloomfield soil (sandy loam) and Drummer soil (silty clay loam) as substrates. Applications were made directly to the substrates as lead and cadmium chloride and as sewage sludge as a source of heavy metals. The mobilization and incorporation of cadmium and lead into food chain organisms were proportional to sorption capacity of the substrate and were highest in silica sand and lowest in Drummer soil. Following the application of sewage sludge there was clear cut mobilization and transfer of cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc into food chains, alga (Oedogonium cardiacum), daphnia (Daphnia magna), mosquito larva (Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus), snail (Physa), and fish (Gambusia affinis). Cadmium exerted a particularly adverse affect on the various organisms in the model ecosystem and its presence in relatively high levels in sewage sludge could become a limiting factor in its use on soils and for crop production.

Key Words: heavy metal pollution • food chain uptake

¹ Contribution from the Institute of Environmental Studies, and Departments of Agronomy and Entomology, Univ. of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801.

² Po-Yung Lu, Robert L. Metcalf, and Rick Furman are, respectively, Research Associate, Professor, and Research Assistant, Dep. of Entomology; Raymond Vogel is Associate Research Chemist, Environmental Analytical Lab.; and John Hassett is Assistant Professor, Dep. of Agronomy.

Received for publication December 6, 1974.