Heavy Metal Accumulation in Maize and Wheat in Acidic Soil: A Comparative Study

Xiaorou Wang, Pengchao Lv, Fujin Zhang, Weiyu Wang, Xunsheng Liu, Qiang Zhang, Jingjing Mu, Xianmin Huang, Liyong Bai (bailiyong@sdu.edu.cn) and Jiulan Dai (daijiulan@sdu.edu.cn)
Additional contact information
Xiaorou Wang: Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
Pengchao Lv: Weihai Agricultural and Rural Affairs Service Center, Weihai 264200, China
Fujin Zhang: Huancui Agricultural and Rural Affairs Service Center, Weihai 264299, China
Weiyu Wang: Rongcheng Agricultural and Rural Affairs Service Center, Weihai 264303, China
Xunsheng Liu: Wendeng Agricultural and Rural Affairs Service Center, Weihai 264499, China
Qiang Zhang: Rushan Agricultural and Rural Affairs Service Center, Weihai 264511, China
Jingjing Mu: Rushan Agricultural and Rural Affairs Service Center, Weihai 264511, China
Xianmin Huang: Rural Energy and Environment Agency, Ministry of Shandong, Jinan 250100, China
Liyong Bai: Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
Jiulan Dai: Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 5, 1-22

Abstract: Maize and wheat grains are at significant risk of accumulating excessive heavy metals in acidic soils, but relatively few comparative studies have been conducted on the two. This study employed Spearman correlation analysis, random forest modeling, and structural equation modeling to systematically investigate the interdependences between soil properties and heavy metal accumulation (Cd, Cr, As, Pb, Hg) in cereal grains. The results revealed distinct patterns in heavy metal content sequences between wheat and maize grains: maize exhibited Cr > Pb > As > Cd > Hg, while wheat followed Cr > Pb > Cd > As > Hg. Bioconcentration factor (BCF) sequences differed significantly, showing Hg > Cd > As > Cr > Pb in maize versus Cd > Hg > As > Cr > Pb in wheat. Soil cation exchange capacity demonstrated the strongest influence on Cd accumulation in both crops. Arsenic accumulation mechanisms displayed species-specific dependencies, with wheat primarily regulated by soil organic matter and maize by clay content. Notably, a significant positive correlation ( p ≤ 0.05) between As and Pb concentrations was observed in both crops, suggesting potential homologous pollution sources. These findings elucidate crop-specific heavy metal accumulation mechanisms governed by soil physicochemical properties. This study demonstrates that under similar growing conditions, maize (BCF = 0.068) exhibits a weaker ability to accumulate heavy metals compared to wheat (BCF = 0.467). Moreover, maize and wheat showed distinct responses to soil properties, particularly in their accumulation of As and Cd. By addressing heavy metal contamination in acidic soils, this work supports the development of safer agricultural practices and improved crop quality control.

Keywords: heavy metals; bioconcentration factor; soil properties; acid soil; Cd accumulation; As accumulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/5/2084/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/5/2084/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:5:p:2084-:d:1601981

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager (indexing@mdpi.com).