Translocation and accumulation of heavy metals from the rhizoshphere soil to the medicinal plant (Paeonia Lactiflora Pall.) grown in Bozhou, Anhui Province, China

ABSTRACT The concentration of heavy metals (HMs) in soil-plant systems was an important indicator of soil heavy metal pollution, and the migration and transportation abilities of HMs from soil to plants were of great significance for evaluating food safety and reducing health risks. This study was conducted to investigate the contamination and translocation of HMs in the soil-Paeonia lactiflora system in Bozhou, Anhui Province, China. The soil pollution was assessed by calculating the Geoaccumulation index (Igeo), Potential ecological risk index (RI), and Pollution load index (PLI). The transfer ability of HMs was evaluated by using the bioconcentration factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF). The results showed that Fe, Mn , Cr , and As were the priority pollutants in soil. Paeonia lactiflora presented high potential to translocate Zn, Cu, and Fe from soil to roots, and had strong ability to translocate HMs except for Cd from roots to stems and leaves