Heavy metal transfer to forage material in amended soils in the area of Ptolemais – Greece

A study of Selenium (Se), Cadmium (Cd), Nikelium (Ni) and Chromium (Cr) uptake by plants, conducted in the reclaimed mine soils of the Ptolemais basin, in North Greece, is reported in this paper. The aim was to estimate the influence of various soil parameters on the concentration of these elements in two plant categories, namely winter cereals and forage species. The results of elemental analysis indicated that the values of Cd, Ni and Cr were much higher than those present in regular soils. The values of bio-available Se in soils were low (< 7.9 ppb), well within the range of regular soils, while they were significantly higher in both plant categories (55-117.5 ppb). Results of multiple and stepwise regression analysis were used to develop models with high R2 (0.82) of predicting Se uptake by plants using easily measured soil parameters such as pH, CEC, EC, clay percentage or Manganium (Mg). These results can be utilized by various local users and land managers, and also to optimize management of grazing livestock and improve their nutrition.