Accumulation and fractionation of rare earth elements in a soil-wheat system

Time series bioaccumulation of rare earth elements (REEs) in field-grown wheat with and without a dressing of extraneous REE fertilizer at different growth stages and fractionation of REEs during their transport in a soil-wheat system were determined. Time-dependent accumulation of extraneous REEs was found in different parts of wheat. An upward transport of extraneous REEs from roots to shoots under a soil dressing and a downward transport from leaves to roots with a foliar dressing were also observed. Moreover, fractionation of REEs occurred in the soil-wheat system. Compared to the host soil a positive Eu anomaly in the stems and grains as well as heavy REE enrichment in the grains were found. The ability of the different wheat organs to fractionate Eu from the REE series was ranked in the order of stems ≥ grains > leaves > roots.