Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• • 71% of rhizosphere soil samples exceeded the agricultural soil pollution risk screening value for Cd, indicating severe contamination and high ecological risk in You County. • • Cd concentrations in rapeseed roots and stems were (0.49 ± 0.39) mg·kg⁻¹ and (0.54 ± 0.31) mg·kg⁻¹, respectively, comparable to soil Cd levels, with bioaccumulation and translocation factors >1, posing secondary pollution risks if residues are improperly managed. • • Cd bioaccumulation and translocation factors in rapeseed seeds were <1, and Cd levels in seeds, oil, and oilseed meals were relatively low, supporting rapeseed as a low-Cd-accumulating oil crop. • • Comparative analysis showed rapeseed oil and meal had lower Cd concentrations than those from sesame, camellia oleifera, and peanut, offering a safer alternative for edible oil production in Cd-contaminated regions.
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) contamination of agricultural soils poses significant economic and health risks. While extensive research has focused on Cd accumulation in staple crops like rice, data on oilseed crops remain scarce, hindering safety assessments of edible oils and oilseed meals. This study investigated Cd accumulation and translocation in rapeseed (Brassica napus) grown in You County, Hunan Province, a region severely contaminated with Cd. Rhizosphere soil and plant tissues (roots, stems, seeds) were collected and analyzed for Cd concentrations. Results showed that approximately 71% of rhizosphere soil samples exceeded the agricultural soil pollution risk screening value for Cd, indicating high ecological risk. Cd concentrations in roots and stems were (0.49 ± 0.39) mg·kg⁻¹ and (0.54 ± 0.31) mg·kg⁻¹, respectively, comparable to or higher than soil Cd levels (0.51 ± 0.31) mg·kg⁻¹, with elevated bioaccumulation and translocation factors. This suggests that improper disposal of rapeseed roots and stems, such as returning them to fields or burning, could lead to secondary Cd pollution. In contrast, Cd bioaccumulation and translocation factors in seeds were less than 1, and Cd concentrations in seeds, oil, and oilseed meals were relatively low. Comparative analysis with sesame, camellia oleifera, and peanut indicated that rapeseed-derived oil and meal contain lower Cd levels, positioning rapeseed as a promising low-Cd-accumulating edible oil crop for cultivation in Cd-contaminated areas.
1. Introduction
Cadmium (Cd) is a non-essential toxic metal classified as a Group I carcinogen. Its release into the environment through industrial activities, improper disposal of batteries, and agricultural practices leads to soil contamination, posing severe threats to food safety and human health. In China, a national soil survey reported a 7% exceedance rate for Cd, making it the most prevalent inorganic pollutant. Cd is highly mobile and readily taken up by plant roots, accumulating in edible parts. Dietary intake is the primary exposure route for non-smoking populations, as evidenced by the 'Cd rice' incidents that caused economic losses and health crises. While extensive research has addressed Cd in staple crops, oilseed crops have received less attention, leaving a gap in assessing the safety of edible oils and oilseed meals derived from contaminated soils.
This study addresses this bottleneck by systematically evaluating Cd accumulation and translocation in rapeseed (Brassica napus) grown in You County, Hunan Province, a region with high Cd contamination. By measuring Cd concentrations in rhizosphere soil and plant tissues, and calculating bioaccumulation and translocation factors, the research provides critical data on the distribution of Cd within the plant. The findings reveal that while roots and stems accumulate Cd at levels comparable to soil, seeds exhibit lower accumulation, suggesting that rapeseed could serve as a low-Cd-accumulating oil crop. This insight is vital for developing safe agricultural practices and selecting appropriate crops for contaminated lands, thereby mitigating health risks and economic losses.
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JIN Ziyi, PANG Tingting, CHEN Lufeng, PAN Yu, XIAO Cailing, SHI Jianbo, YIN Yongguang, LIANG Yong (2026). Bioaccumulation and Translocation of Cadmium in Rapeseed in High Cadmium-Contaminated Regions: A Case Study of You County, Hunan Province. Environmental Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025010302
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the specific Cd concentrations in rapeseed tissues and soil, and how do they compare to regulatory limits?
In this study, rhizosphere soil Cd concentrations averaged 0.51 ± 0.31 mg·kg⁻¹, with 71% of samples exceeding the agricultural soil pollution risk screening value (typically 0.3 mg·kg⁻¹ for Cd in China). Roots and stems contained 0.49 ± 0.39 and 0.54 ± 0.31 mg·kg⁻¹, respectively, while seeds had lower concentrations, with bioaccumulation factors <1.
How do bioaccumulation and translocation factors vary across rapeseed tissues, and what are the implications for secondary pollution?
Bioaccumulation factors (BCF) for roots and stems were >1, indicating active uptake from soil, while translocation factors (TF) from root to stem were also elevated. This suggests that roots and stems act as significant Cd sinks. If these residues are returned to fields or burned, Cd could re-enter the soil, causing secondary contamination. In contrast, seeds had BCF and TF <1, indicating limited Cd transfer to the edible parts.
How does Cd accumulation in rapeseed compare to other oilseed crops like sesame, camellia, and peanut?
The study compared Cd concentrations in oil and oilseed meals from rapeseed, sesame, camellia oleifera, and peanut. Rapeseed-derived products exhibited relatively lower Cd levels, suggesting that rapeseed is a preferable option for edible oil production in Cd-contaminated areas, as it minimizes Cd intake through the diet.
What are the potential health risks associated with consuming rapeseed oil and meal from Cd-contaminated regions?
Given that Cd concentrations in rapeseed seeds, oil, and meal were relatively low, the health risk from dietary exposure is likely reduced compared to other crops. However, the study emphasizes that improper disposal of roots and stems could lead to secondary soil contamination, indirectly affecting future crops. Therefore, safe management of agricultural residues is crucial to prevent long-term Cd accumulation in the food chain.
What are the practical implications of these findings for agricultural management in Cd-contaminated areas?
The results suggest that rapeseed can be cultivated as a low-Cd-accumulating oil crop in moderately contaminated soils, providing a safer alternative for edible oil production. However, the high Cd content in roots and stems necessitates careful handling—such as removal from the field or proper treatment—to avoid recontamination. This study supports the selection of rapeseed for phytoremediation or safe crop rotation strategies in Cd-affected regions.
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