2006-07-13 19:23:44 · 4 answers · asked by monika 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Botany
Cadmium is a heavy metal (density > 5g/cc) and toxic to plants and animals. The presence of cadmium does not affect the other nutrients present in the soil but when crops are grown in that soil, the possibility of entrance of this toxic cadmium in the plant system is more. Thus, this poisonous cadmium may enter into the food chain and cause bio-magnification. Mostly, this cadmium is added to the agricultural lands through the application of fertilisers like single super phosphates, rock phosphates etc. because, these fertilisers are just mined along with the cadmium. When the soils rich in cadmium is applied with agricultural lime (CaCO3), the pH of the soil can be increased above 8. At this soil pH, the activity of the cadmium will become low and it can not enter into the plant system. Some literatures say, the earth worms can accumulate this cadmium in their bodies. Thus, through vermiculturing, we can reduce the activity of the soil cadmium. Some water plants like hydrilla, water hyacinth have the capacity to accumulate cadmium in their body. Through this also we can eliminate cadmium from the soil. These type of plants and worms are called as bio-drainers by the environmentalists.
2006-07-14 18:17:05 · answer #1 · answered by K.J. Jeyabaskaran K 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
http://www.epa.gov/ecotox/ecossl/pdf/eco-ssl_cadmium.pdf#search='cadmium%20and%20soil'
Among the common heavy metals it is cadmium which shows the greatest tendency to accumulate in food plants grown in contaminated soil.^The diet is the main source of cadmium intake for most people
Plant Pulls Cadmium from Soil. Alpine pennycress (Thlaspi caerulescens) has a remarkable ability to pull cadmium from the soil and concentrate it in its shoots. Researchers hope to develop this plant as a tool to help clean contaminated soils.www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/weblog/000561.php
2006-07-14 16:00:30 · answer #2 · answered by first s 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the amount of Cadmium is crucial to the soil. ALL SOIL MUST need some type of heavy metals in the soil. Too much is going to kill everything but you need the amount to have good soil.
2006-07-17 03:07:47 · answer #3 · answered by KrazyK784 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes,it is poisonous
2006-07-14 02:32:42 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋