Our study found that sediment heavy metal content is the primary factor influencing heavy metal uptake by emergent macrophyte species. This research aimed to quantify the concentrations of heavy metals and metalloids (As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Si, and Zn) in emergent macrophytes-Lysimachia thyrsiflora, Sagittaria sagittifolia, Phragmites australis, Glyceria fluitans, Carex nigra, Equisetum fluviatile, and Juncus effusus-as well as in the corresponding water and sediment samples from Orrefors, Läen, and Emmaboda, to assess their net accumulation and translocation capacity for application in phytoremediation management. Our results revealed that the sediment As concentration at the Emmaboda site was 23 times higher than the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Swe EPA) guideline value. At the Orrefors and Läen sites, the concentrations of heavy metals and the metalloid in water followed the descending order: Zn > Pb > Cu > As > Cd. Among the studied species, L. thyrsiflora was the most abundant across locations and exhibited the highest As accumulation (1,603 mg/kg) in its roots, with minimal translocation to its shoots. Si and Zn showed relatively high translocation to the shoots in most of the surveyed emergent macrophytes, regardless of location. This preliminary study indicates the substantial heavy metal accumulation in L. thyrsiflora and J. effusus. In combination with their limited translocation to the shoots, this underscores their strong potential for phytoremediation-based management of contaminated glasswork sites.

The high heavy metal and metalloid contents in sediment have been considered one of the major environmental problems due to their associated environmental threats. To reduce the environmental risk from contaminated sediment, application of gentle remediation options (GRO) by non-edible plant species or phytoremediation could be an effective environment- friendly management option. The aim of this study was to use lavender (Lavandula angustifolia L. cv. Hidcote Blue) and assess the heavy metal and metalloid uptake and bioconcentration factor (BCF) from the contaminated urban sediment and its potential in GRO management. In this pilot study, L. angustifolia was cultivated in control (0) soil and combined growth substrate (sediment + soil) for eight weeks. The heavy metal and metalloid concentrations in both L. angustifolia and the sediment were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Both roots and shoots accumulated higher levels of Cd and Zn from the mixed media compared to the control and their BCF values > 1. In addition, the Pb shoot BCF values were significantly higher than the root BCF values. The results from this short-term phytoremediation study suggest that L. angustifolia could accumulate heavy metals from contaminated sediment and could be a strong potential candidate for GRO-based management. However, it is suggested that before implementation in the field trial, long-term cultivation and careful analysis of different biotic and abiotic parameters need to be included.

The legacy of post-industrial contamination often limits the safe use of urban soils for food production without pre-treatment to reduce metal(loid) solubility and uptake in crops. In this study, a seed residue biochar was applied at two doses (1% and 5%) to six circumneutral urban allotment soils from Denmark and the UK, all exhibiting elevated concentrations of As, Cd, Pb and Zn. Soil pore water was sampled to assess metal(loid) solubility and soil:solution partitioning, and lettuce was grown to determine metal(loid) uptake. Biochar application had varying effects on metal(loid) solubility. For As and Pb, solubility generally increased, particularly at the higher dose. For Zn and Cd, solubility tended to decline. Metal(loid) uptake in lettuce also varied, with no consistent change between control and treatments for As and Pb, despite their increased solubility. However, a clear reduction in Zn and Cd uptake was observed, especially at the 5% application rate. For Cd, this resulted in a marked decrease in the proportion of samples exceeding health-based guideline values, indicating a tangible reduction in dietary risk. These findings show that even in circumneutral soils, biochar can significantly influence metal(loid) behaviour, with the greatest benefit observed for reducing Cd accumulation in edible crops. However, the observed increase in As and Pb solubility underscores the importance of considering potential risks associated with leaching and water contamination.

The generation of solid waste, more specifically municipal solid waste (MSW), has been considered one of the major global environmental problems since urbanization started. Among Scandinavian states, Denmark and Norway have placed in the top positions (1 and 2 respectively) for high MSW production. Sweden has a steady plan for MSW management/treatments by practising material recycle, biological treatment and energy recovery. The aim of this review is to compare municipal waste generation between Sweden and the rest of Scandinavia. A systematic literature review was performed by screening academic and public articles to assess factors for better MSW management based on technological solutions. Key results include the importance of new tariffs and legislations, producer responsibilities for electronic products, municipality involvement, distribution of responsibilities, and infrastructure developments for better MSW management in Sweden. The application of modern technologies have also been considered for MSW management in Sweden. Societal participation (willingness, awareness and concern) in Sweden also plays a significant role in MSW management. A better packaging system, application of interactive visualization (gamification) in waste sorting, public awareness, and infrastructure development could significantly improve the waste sorting process and conversion of waste management from a linear economy towards a circular economy.

The precarious potato disease known as late blight (LB), which is brought on by Phytophthora infestans, quickly decimates crops and economically detriment growers. The pathogen prefers relatively cold temperatures and that usually prevails in northern Bangladesh. To decrease the number of fungicide sprays with the changing climate, it is necessary to identify potato varieties that are most resistant to late blight. This study aims to assess the growth and production performance of late blight-tolerant potato varieties in the northern part of Bangladesh. The field study was conducted in the crop-growing years of 2017-18 and 2018-19. In this study, three exotic potato varieties [(BARI Alu-90 (Alouette), BARI Alu-91 (Carolus), and BARI Alu-77 (Sarpomira)] and two check varieties [BARI Alu-8 (Cardinal) and BARI Alu-25 (Asterix)] were used. Compared with the two cultivated varieties BARI Alu-8 (Cardinal) and BARI Alu-25 (Asterix), the BARI Alu-90 (Alouette) with the highest level of late blight resistance based on AUDPC scoring (late blight estimated mean value of 5.9). The result showed that the majority of the evaluated variety BARI Alu-90 (Alouette) and BARI Alu-91 (Carolus) were highly resistant and BARI Alu-77 (Sarpomira) is moderately resistant. In contrast, the check varieties were susceptible to late blight. The yield and shelf life (or storage) quality of BARI Alu-90 (Alouette) was also good compared with the other varieties. Considering the yield, yield contributing characters, shelf-life data and disease resistance level BARI Alu-90 (Alouette) can be grown in northern Bangladesh without chemical protection.

The sediments of rivers or harbours have always been considered sinks for numerous heavy metals, pesticides, chemicals and contaminants of anthropogenic origin. The eco-friendly management of contaminated sediment have received attention due to their large-scale presence in harbour areas. Application of bioenergy crop species, such as Salix spp., have shown a strong potential for reducing heavy metals from the contaminated sediment. The aim of this study was to investigate the application of Salix spp. on contaminated dredged sediment and heavy metal accumulation and translocation patterns in different parts of plants. Two Salix cultivars (Wilhelm and Ester; commercially available in Sweden) were cultivated in contaminated sediment for 5 weeks in a field setting. Heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn) content in different plant parts (root, cutting, shoot and leaves) were analysed by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The result indicated that the root biomass production was negatively affected for both cultivars due to the contaminated sediment medium, even though no morphological symptoms were present. Both Cd and Cu net accumulation were found to be significantly higher in Ester cultivars. The low translocation of heavy metals in Salix spp. hints that accumulated heavy metals are stored in the root parts. Low translocation of heavy metals from contaminated sediments gives a strong potential for using a growth medium to utilize phosphorus (P) in the sediment from a circular economy and bioeconomy perspective.

Plants are composed of complex organisms that include morphological, physiological and biochemical segments. A number of environmental factors such as, heavy metals, drought, salinity, heat, and cold cause stress towards plants and impact on their growth and yield values. Heavy metal contamination and drought are considered to be two significant environmental (abiotic) factors that are receiving increased attention due their effects on plants. Many plant species from previously non-drought prone areas now face drought as a new stress factor and must develop their avoidance mechanisms. Comparing drought-related tolerance strategies, plants have developed a number of strategies to fight against heavy metal pollution due to its wide coverage. These heavy metal tolerance strategies include detoxification, compartmentalization, and storage in cell vacuoles in plants. Few similarities have been found in the mechanisms of both drought and heavy metal strategies. The use of beneficial microbes is considered as one of the most promising methods to improve stress tolerance because plant-associated microbes decrease metal accumulation while enhancing nutrient supply and water under such stress. In this review, we summarize how drought and heavy metals contamination effect on plant growth, with particular focus on stress avoidance and tolerance mechanisms, as well as, the role of microbes to enhance stress tolerance. Recommendations including irrigation, fertilization and molecular techniques to increase the plant’s tolerance mechanisms against heavy metal and drought conditions are also discussed.

Heavy Metal Toxicity and Tolerance in Plants provides a comprehensive overview of the physiological, biochemical, and molecular basis of heavy metal tolerance and functional omics that allow for a deeper understanding of using heavy metal tolerance for deliberate manipulation of plants. Through the authors’ unique approach, the text enables researchers to develop strategies to enhance metal toxicity and deficiency tolerance as well as crop productivity under stressful conditions, in order to better utilize natural resources to ensure future food security.

The text presents the basic knowledge of plant heavy metal/metalloid tolerance using modern approaches, including omics, nanotechnology, and genetic manipulation, and covers molecular breeding, genetic engineering, and approaches for high yield and quality under metal toxicity or deficiency stress conditions.

With a collection of 26 chapters contributed by the leading experts in the fields surrounding heavy metal and metalloids toxicity and tolerance in crop plants, Heavy Metal Toxicity and Tolerance in Plants includes further information on:

Advanced techniques in omics research in relation to heavy metals/metalloids toxicity and toleranceHeavy metals/metalloids in food crops and their implications for human healthMolecular mechanisms of heavy metals/metalloids toxicity and tolerance in plantsMolecular breeding approaches for reducing heavy metals load in the edible plant partsHormonal regulation of heavy metals toxicity and toleranceApplications of nanotechnology for improving heavy metals stress toleranceGenetic engineering for heavy metals/metalloids stress tolerance in plantsWith comprehensive coverage of the subject, Heavy Metal Toxicity and Tolerance in Plants is an essential reference for researchers working on developing plants tolerant to metals/metalloids stress and effective strategies for reducing the risk of health hazards.

The presence of high levels of carcinogenic metalloid arsenic (As) in the groundwater system of Bangladesh has been considered as one of the major environmental disasters in this region. Many parts of Bangladesh have extensively reported the presence of high levels of arsenic in the groundwater due to both geological and anthropogenic activities. In this paper, we reviewed the available literature and scientific information regarding arsenic pollution in Bangladesh, including arsenic chemistry and occurrences. Along with using As-rich groundwater as a drinking-water source, the agricultural activities and especially irrigation have greatly depended on the groundwater resources in this region due to high water demands for ensuring food security. A number of investigations in Bangladesh have shown that high arsenic content in both soil and groundwater may result in high levels of arsenic accumulation in different plants, including cereals and vegetables. This review provides information regarding arsenic accumulation in major rice varieties, soil-groundwater-rice arsenic interaction, and past arsenic policies and plans, as well as previously implemented arsenic mitigation options for both drinking and irrigation water systems in Bangladesh. In conclusion, this review highlights the importance and necessity for more in-depth studies as well as more effective arsenic mitigation action plans to reduce arsenic incorporation in the food chain of Bangladesh.

Vanadium (V) has been considered a potentially toxic element and has not gotten adequate attention compared to similar kinds of heavy metals in the soil. It acts as an essential element for its various uses in the industrial sectors, especially steel and chemical production. Due to natural and anthropogenic factors such as rock weathering, metal ore mining, fossil fuel combustion and agrochemical usage, the soil environment has become contaminated with V. Vanadium contamination has caused a great threat to the plants and animals well as to the humans. To minimize the hazard potential from V, several remediation methods have been investigated and practiced worldwide. This chapter includes the remediation techniques for V-contaminated soils by physical, chemical and biological approaches that can be identified in this regard. Chemical and physical treatments have a relatively faster process; however, they have drawbacks due to their expensiveness and durability. Compared to physico-chemical techniques, phytoremediation is an environmentally friendly economic management option, and so are the soil amendments. However, the phytoremediation process is a slow process, and the remediation success greatly depends on the plant species used in the management. Integrated techniques with microorganisms could enhance the efficiency and pace of phytoremediation management.