Issue 4, 2024

Quantitatively differentiating foliar adhesion and absorption of different lead-based particles on Solanum melongena L.

Abstract

A variety of atmospheric lead-based chalcogenide particles (PbXn, where X = S or O) present a significant risk to environmental and public health. Foliar uptake dominates atmospheric Pb contamination of crops, although the precise mechanisms are unclear, particularly for different types of PbXn. In this paper, the effects of 5 atmospheric PbXn (PbS-S, PbS-Q, Pb3O4, PbO2 and PbO) properties, including particle lateral size, hydrodynamic size, zeta potential, contact angle, BET surface area and Ksp, on the adhesion and absorption of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) leaves were studied. The adhesion and absorption of PbXn in leaves were quantitatively distinguished by a water–EDTA-2Na solution step-by-step rinsing method. Adhesion accounted for 33–98% of the total foliar uptake and caused overestimation to a varying extent of total foliar absorption of different PbXn (uptake includes adhesion and absorption). The contribution of stomata and cuticle to PbXn particle absorption was also tested. Cuticular pathway contributed to 19–69% of the total absorption. Multiple linear regression and path analyses revealed that zeta potential and hydrodynamic size were the two most positive factors for leaf adhesion, while for absorption it was the opposite. BET surface area was the most important property of PbXn to be absorbed through the cuticular/stomatal pathway. This study provides an important insight into foliar uptake mechanisms of common atmospheric lead-based particles and can be used to construct more accurate and environmentally ecological risk assessments of Pb contaminants.

Graphical abstract: Quantitatively differentiating foliar adhesion and absorption of different lead-based particles on Solanum melongena L.

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
13 Sept. 2023
Accepted
07 Dec. 2023
First published
14 Dec. 2023

Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2024,11, 1417-1428

Quantitatively differentiating foliar adhesion and absorption of different lead-based particles on Solanum melongena L.

B. Zhao, S. Zhang, X. Zhang, Q. Zhao, J. C. White, F. Wu and B. Xing, Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2024, 11, 1417 DOI: 10.1039/D3EN00640A

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