Transformation of heavy metal fractions on soil urease and nitrate reductase activities in copper and selenium co-contaminated soil

This study aims to explore the effects of the distribution, transformation and bioavailability of different fractions of copper (Cu) and selenium (Se) in co-contaminated soils on soil enzymes, providing references for the phytoremediation of contaminated areas and agriculture environmental protection. Pot experiments and laboratory analysis were used to investigate the transformation and bioavailability of additional Cu and Se for pakchoi (Brassica chinensis) in co-contaminated soil. In the uncontaminated soil, Cu mainly existed in residual form, whereas Se was present in residual form and in elemental and organic-sulfide matter-bound form. In the contaminated soil, Cu mainly bound to Fe-Mn oxidates, whereas Se was in exchangeable and carbonates forms. After a month of pakchoi growth, Cu tended to transfer into organic matter-bound fractions, whereas Se tended to bound to Fe-Mn oxidates. The I-R (reduced partition index) value of Cu decreased as the concentrations of Cu and Se gradually increased, whereas the I-R value of Se decreased as the concentration of Se increased. The I-R value before pakchoi planting and after it was harvested was not affected by the concentration of exogenous Cu. Soil urease and nitrate reductase activities were inhibited by Cu and Se pollution either individually or combined in different degrees, following the order nitrate reductase > urease. The significant correlation between the I-R value and soil enzyme activities suggests that this value could be used to evaluate the bioavailability of heavy metals in soil. Path analysis showed that the variations in exchangeable Cu and organic-sulfide matter-bound and elemental Se had direct effects on the activities of the two enzymes, suggesting their high bioavailability. Therefore, the I-R value and the transformation of metals in soil could be used as indicators in evaluating the bioavailability of heavy metals. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.