Cadmium and other metal uptake by Lobelia chinensis and Solanum nigrum from contaminated soils.

Cadmium concentrations in two plant species and their corresponding soils were evaluated in a metal contaminated area. The average Cd concentrations reached 36.9 and 141 mg kg(-1) in Solanum nigrum leaves and Lobelia chinensis shoots, respectively. There is a significant relationship between the Cd concentration in the aerial tissues and the corresponding soils on a logarithmic scale. Under the hydroponic culture conditions, the maximum Cd concentration in the S. nigrum leaves and L. chinensis shoots were 1,110 and 414 mg kg(-1), respectively. Cd concentration was higher in the roots than in the aerial parts. The two plants may be used in suitable phytoremediation process.