Bioaccumulation and translocation of cadmium in cole (Brassica campestris L.) and celery (Apium graveolens) grown in the polluted oasis soil, Northwest of China

A pot experiment was conducted to study the bioaccumulation and translocation of cadmium (Cd) in cole (Brassica campestris L.) and celery (Apium graveolens) grown in the Cd-polluted oasis soil, Northwest of China. The results showed that Cd in the unpolluted oasis soil was mainly bound to carbonate fraction (F2) and Fe-Mn oxide fraction (F3). However, marked change of Cd fractions was observed with increasing soil Cd concentrations, in which the concentration of Cd in Fl (exchangeable fraction), F2 and F3 increased significantly (p < 0.001 for Fl, F2 and F3). The growth of cole and celery could be facilitated by low concentrations of Cd, but inhibited by high concentrations. The correlation analysis between the fraction distribution coefficient of Cd in the soil and Cd concentration accumulated in the two vegetables showed that Cd in Fl in the soil made the greatest contribution on the accumulation of Cd in the two vegetables. The high bio-concentration factor and the translocation factor of Cd in both cole and celery were observed, and Cd had higher accumulation in the edible parts of the two vegetables. Therefore, both cole and celery grown in Cd-polluted oasis soil have higher risk to human health. And the two vegetables are not suitable to be cultivated as vegetables consumed by human in the Cd-polluted oasis soil.