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Abstract
Heavy metals contamination of soil is a widespread global problem. Chelant assisted
phytoextraction has been proposed to improve the efficiency of phytoextraction which
involves three subsequent levels: transfer of metals from the bulk soil to the root
surfaces, uptake into the roots and translocation to the shoots. However, most studies
focused on the first level. A hydroponic experiment, which addresses the latter two
levels, was conducted to study the effects of EDTA, EDDS and IDSA on the uptake and
the distribution of Pb, Zn, Cu and Cd in the apoplast and the symplast of roots of
maize (Zea mays, L.). The concentrations of the metals (with exception of Zn) in the
shoots were increased significantly by addition of all the chelants. EDTA was most
effective for Pb uptake and IDSA was interestingly most effective for Cd uptake. Pb
in the roots with EDTA was mostly distributed in the apoplast, while Zn, especially
with IDSA, was mostly located in the symplast. The results indicated that, the capacity
of chelant to enhance the nonselective apoplastic transport of metal may be most important
for chelant enhanced phytoextraction.