Seasonal Assessment of some Potentially Toxic Elements with Possible Animal Health Risks in Atriplex canescens (Pursh) Nutt.

In the present investigation Br (Bromine), Cr (Chromium) and Pb (Lead) concentrations were assessed employing X-ray florescence spectrometry to evaluate seasonal variation of these elements in the xero-halophyte Atriplex canescens (Pursh) Nutt., a shrub with high pastoral value. The results showed that A. canescens and its surrounding soil have similar accumulation patterns for Br and Pb across seasons, but Cr concentrations in shrubs are higher in spring than other seasons. The seasonal mean contents of trace elements in A. canescens descend in the following order: Cr (8.33 mu g g(- 1)) > Br (5.34 mu g g(- 1)) > Pb (0.24 mu g g(- 1)). The maximum element transfer factor (ETF) of Cr and Pb was recorded in summer and autumn. However, no significant difference between seasons was found for Br. Principle component analysis (PCA) showed that Br, Cr and Pb were associated negatively with soil during all seasons. In contrast, A. canescens was only associated to Cr contents in the spring. Results provide evidence also that the levels of Br, Cr and Pb were within the safety-limits recommended by the National Research Council (NRC) guidelines for animal nutrition.