The pollution caused by the mining and smelting of heavy metals is becoming an increasingly severe environmental problem.In this study,the environmental risks of mine tailings were explored using typical antimony tail...The pollution caused by the mining and smelting of heavy metals is becoming an increasingly severe environmental problem.In this study,the environmental risks of mine tailings were explored using typical antimony tailings(the depth of the sample taken from the ground to the deepest position of 120 cm)from the Zuoxiguo mine in Yunnan Province,Southwest China.The tailings were examined to explore the geological background,distribution characteristics,and release characteristics of heavy metals.Additionally,stabilizer treatments for heavy metals were investigated in consideration of waste treatment.The results showed that the contents of Sb and As(8.93×103 and 425 mg/kg,respectively)in the tailings were considerably higher than the local soil background values,suggesting that these metals pose a considerable threat to the surrounding environment.The geological background values of Cr,Cd,Pb,Cu,and Zn were relatively low.The results of static release showed that Sb,As,Cd,and Cr leached from the tailings more easily than Cu,Zn,and Pb under acidic conditions(pH=2.98).Geo-accumulation indices and potential ecological risk indices showed that Sb,As,Cd,and Pb were highly enriched in the tailings,whereas Cu,Cr,and Zn contents were relatively low.The single factor ecological risk index of the mining area showed that Sb and As are high ecological risk factors,whereas Cr,Cu,Zn,Cd,and Pb are not.The results of the orthogonal test results showed that by adding 15.0%(m/m)fly ash and 15.0%(m/m)zeolite powder to the quicklime and curing for 28 d,a significant stabilization effect was observed for Sb,As,and Pb.This study helps determine the priority control components for characteristic heavy metals in antimony tailings,and provides valuable insights regarding the formulation of appropriate mitigation strategies.展开更多
Spatial distribution of heavy metals, arsenic and organic matter in recent sediments in the Hangzhou section of the Grand Canal and their relationships were analyzed. The results showed that the concentrations of heav...Spatial distribution of heavy metals, arsenic and organic matter in recent sediments in the Hangzhou section of the Grand Canal and their relationships were analyzed. The results showed that the concentrations of heavy metals and organic matters varied widely along the canal, and the average geological accumulation factors decreased in the following orders: organic carbon(2.6), zinc(2.1), cadmium(2.0), copper(1.5), lead(1.1), nitrogen(0.9), mercury (0.8), phosphorus(0.4), arsenic(0.2) and chromium(0). Content of heavy metals and organic carbon in the top 10 cm layer were lower than that of lower layers, except for mercury and organic carbon in the S9 section. Contents of organic carbon in the top 50 cm layer of the mud sediments are significantly higher than those underneath. In the bottom mud layer, there is a concentration peak of the pollutants. In the mud sediments of the canal, cadmium mainly occurred in the Fe and Mn oxide fraction, copper in the organic fraction, lead in the Fe and Mn oxide fraction, and zinc in the carbonate and the Fe and Mn oxide fraction.展开更多
The Nanfei River (Anhui Province, China) is a severely polluted urban river that flows into Chaohu Lake. In the present study, sediments were collected from the river and analyzed for their heavy metal contents. Mul...The Nanfei River (Anhui Province, China) is a severely polluted urban river that flows into Chaohu Lake. In the present study, sediments were collected from the river and analyzed for their heavy metal contents. Multivariate statistics and the fuzzy comprehensive assessment method were used to determine the sources of pollution, the current pollution status, and spatial and temporal variations in heavy metal pollution in sediments. The concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in sediments ranged from 5.67-113, 0.08-40.2, 41.6-524, 15.5-460, 0.03-4.84, 13.5-180, 18.8-250, and 47.9-1 996 mg/kg, and the average concentrations of each metal were 1.7, 38.7, 1.8, 5.5, l 8.8, 1.3, 2.5, and 11.1 times greater than the background values, respectively. Multivariate statistical analysis demonstrated that Hg, Cu, Cr, Cd, and Ni may have originated from industrial activities, whereas As and Pb came from agricultural activities. The fuzzy comprehensive assessment method, based on the fuzzy mathematics theory, was used to obtain a detailed assessment of the sediment quality in the Nanfei River watershed. The results indicated that the pollution was moderate in the downstream tributaries of the Nianbu and Dianbu Rivers, but was severe in the main channel of the Nanfei River and in the upstream tributaries of the Sill and Banqiao Rivers. Therefore, sediments in the Nanfei River watershed are heavily polluted and urgent measures should be taken to remedy the status.展开更多
In order to evaluate the accumulation characteristics of heavy metals in the cultivars of Agaricus bisporus in Shanxi Province and to select the varieties with high resistances to heavy metal pollution, atomic absorpt...In order to evaluate the accumulation characteristics of heavy metals in the cultivars of Agaricus bisporus in Shanxi Province and to select the varieties with high resistances to heavy metal pollution, atomic absorption spectrophotometer and the atomic fluorescence spectrophotometer were used as the determination methods to compare the heavy metal contents and accumulation characteristics of 6 different varieties. The results showed that 3 heavy metal elements (lead, chromium and cadmium) were tested in the 6 varieties of A. bisporus , all of which were contaminated by heavy metals, but basically no beyond the national standards for food safety. In general, these varieties had less quality risk and could be eaten safely. The accumulation characteristics of heavy metals in these varieties were analyzed, and the varieties were screened according to the resistance to heavy metals pollution. The results showed that variety No. 1 and No. 6 were the varieties with strong comprehensive resistance to the 3 types of heavy metal pollution, and variety No. 3 was a species with weak comprehensive ability in resisting heavy metal pollution.展开更多
Pavement runoff sampling points were set up on the main roads of Chengdu city.Six rainfall-runoff events from July to September in 2017 were sampled by synchronous observation of rainfall,runoff and pollution.The conc...Pavement runoff sampling points were set up on the main roads of Chengdu city.Six rainfall-runoff events from July to September in 2017 were sampled by synchronous observation of rainfall,runoff and pollution.The concentration changes of copper,lead,zinc,chromium and cadmium in the runoff process were monitored,and the pollution emission regularity and initial scouring effect were studied.The results show that the emission regularity of pavement runoff pollution is closely related to rainfall characteristics and pollutant occurrence,and the concentration of dissolved heavy metals reaches its peak at the initial stage of runoff.The peak time of particulate heavy metal concentration lagged slightly behind that of rainfall intensity.There is a big difference between the strength of initial scouring degree and dissolved heavy metals the stronger the initial scouring degree of total heavy metals,the weaker the dissolved heavy metals.Reducing pavement runoff in the early stage of rainfall is an effective means to control heavy metal pollution.展开更多
A greenhouse experiment was conducted to elucidate the growth changes and tissues anatomical characteristics of giant reed(Arundo donax L.),a perennial rhizomatous grass,which was cultivated for 70 d in soils contamin...A greenhouse experiment was conducted to elucidate the growth changes and tissues anatomical characteristics of giant reed(Arundo donax L.),a perennial rhizomatous grass,which was cultivated for 70 d in soils contaminated with As,Cd and Pb.The results show that giant reed rapidly grows with big biomass of shoots in contaminated soil,possessing strong metal-tolerance with limited metal translocation from roots to shoots.When As,Cd and Pb concentrations in the soil are less than 254,76.1 and 1 552 mg/kg,respectively,plant height and dried biomass are slightly reduced,the accumulation of As,Cd and Pb in shoots of giant reed is low while metal concentration in roots is high,and the anatomical characteristics of stem tissues are thick and homogeneous according to SEM images.However,plant height and dried biomass are significantly reduced and metal concentration in plant shoots and roots are significantly increased(P<0.05),the stems images become heterogeneous and the secretion in vascular bundles increases significantly when As,Cd and Pb concentrations in the soil exceed 334,101 and 2 052 mg/kg,respectively.The giant reed is a promising,naturally occurring plant with strong metal-tolerance,which can be cultivated in soils contaminated with multiple metals for ecoremediation purposes.展开更多
Batch experiments tively evaluate the inhibition were conducted to compara- effects and mechanisms of a low-concentration (1%) proline solution cover on the release of pollutants from high-sulfur coal gangue. High- ...Batch experiments tively evaluate the inhibition were conducted to compara- effects and mechanisms of a low-concentration (1%) proline solution cover on the release of pollutants from high-sulfur coal gangue. High- sulfur coal gangue was continuously immersed in a proline solution and in deionized water (as a control treatment) for 540 days. The results showed that the coal gangue in the control treatment was oxidized and generated leachate with poor water qualities, i.e., the leachate exhibited lower pH values, higher redox potential values, higher pollutant concentrations (804^2-, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn), and high levels of acidophilic sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. However, compared to the control treatment, the addition of the proline solution (1%) significantly improved the water quality of the leachate by significantly reducing the Eh values, the pollutant concentrations (804^2-, Fe^2+, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn), and the activity of acidophilic sulfur-oxidiz- ing bacteria and by significantly increasing the pH value to neutral. The proline treatment significantly inhibited the oxidation of coal gangue and the release of pollutants, mainly by inhibiting the activity of acidophilic sulfur-ox- idizing bacteria and by altering the heavy metal fractions and the mineralogical characteristics. Therefore, in engi- neering practice, workers should consider using an envi- ronmental friendly aqueous proline solution cover to achieve the in-situ control of pollutant releases from coal gangue dumps.展开更多
The present investigation deals with the assessment of pollution status along the wetland of Thane Creek, which has been subjected to a lot of pollution from the Asia’s biggest Thane—Belapur Industrial Complex locat...The present investigation deals with the assessment of pollution status along the wetland of Thane Creek, which has been subjected to a lot of pollution from the Asia’s biggest Thane—Belapur Industrial Complex located at the south of Mumbai harbor along the west coast of India. This paper advocates habitat conservation and ecological studies with special reference to the physico-chemical characteristics and heavy metal pollution in the soil along the creek area. In the present investigation, the pH, electrical conductivity, bulk density, alkalinity and chlorinity values recorded were observed to be high during dry seasons and low during rainy season. The soil samples were also analyzed for their heavy metal contents like nickel, zinc, cadmium, copper, iron, arsenic and mercury. It was observed that, the concentration of these heavy metals increases gradually in dry seasons, followed by sharp decrease during rainy season. These heavy metals have a marked effect on the aquatic flora and fauna which through bio magnification enter the food chain and ultimately affect the human beings as well. The present experimental data on heavy metal pollution in soil samples collected along Kalwa bridge of Thane Creek points out to the need of regular monitoring of water resources and further improvement in the industrial waste water treatment methods. If the present conditions continue for a long period, the creek may soon become ecologically inactive.展开更多
The accumulation characteristics and resistance to heavy metal pollution of six varieties of Agar/cus b/spoms were studied. The results showed that arsenic, mercury and cadmium content could be detected in the six va...The accumulation characteristics and resistance to heavy metal pollution of six varieties of Agar/cus b/spoms were studied. The results showed that arsenic, mercury and cadmium content could be detected in the six varieties, and all of the varieties were contaminated by heavy metals ,but they did not exceed the limits in the national standards for food safety. These varieties had a low quality risk and can be eaten safely. Varie-ties 1 and 6 were strongly resistant to the three kinds of heavy metals, while variety 4 was weakly resistant to heavy metal pollution.展开更多
Metal toxicity and soil salinity at excessive levels in soils are toxic to plants. The main objective of this study was to demonstrate the effects of water salinity (NaCl) and heavy metal concentration on germination ...Metal toxicity and soil salinity at excessive levels in soils are toxic to plants. The main objective of this study was to demonstrate the effects of water salinity (NaCl) and heavy metal concentration on germination and seedling characteristics of maize and beans seeds. Different concentrations of NaCl (0 to 35000 mg/L) and Zn<sup>2+</sup>, Cu<sup>2+</sup> and Pb<sup>2+</sup> with concentrations 0 to 600 μmol/L each were used separately. These solutions were used to irrigate maize and bean seeds for 30 days. Data was taken daily for the following parameters;“the number of germinated seeds, shoot length, shoot circumference, leaf area index, leaf colors, senescence, and disease occurrences.” The crops were uprooted at the end of the 30 days and their wet masses were measured and recorded. Results indicated that seed germination reduced with an increase in the concentration of NaCl for both maize and beans with 0% germination recorded in concentrations > 5000 mg/L. The same trends were observed for other parameters, the shoot length, the leaf area index, and the shoot circumference. “For heavy metals, the trends were similar. Beans growth was more affected by Zn and Cu but maize growth was more affected by Pb.” The dry masses and wet masses of the crops with higher concentrations of metals and salts were very low compared to the control experiments. For the effects of salinity and heavy metals on beans and maize seeds, there was a significant difference (P ≤ 0.001) between all tested concentrations and the control for all growth parameters monitored. It was concluded from the results that salinity and heavy metals affect the germination and seedling characteristics of maize and beans;though some metals are essential, their presence in higher concentrations instead cause harm.展开更多
基金supported by the High-Level Talent Training Program in Guizhou Province(GCC[2023]045)the Guizhou Talent Base Project[RCJD2018-21]。
文摘The pollution caused by the mining and smelting of heavy metals is becoming an increasingly severe environmental problem.In this study,the environmental risks of mine tailings were explored using typical antimony tailings(the depth of the sample taken from the ground to the deepest position of 120 cm)from the Zuoxiguo mine in Yunnan Province,Southwest China.The tailings were examined to explore the geological background,distribution characteristics,and release characteristics of heavy metals.Additionally,stabilizer treatments for heavy metals were investigated in consideration of waste treatment.The results showed that the contents of Sb and As(8.93×103 and 425 mg/kg,respectively)in the tailings were considerably higher than the local soil background values,suggesting that these metals pose a considerable threat to the surrounding environment.The geological background values of Cr,Cd,Pb,Cu,and Zn were relatively low.The results of static release showed that Sb,As,Cd,and Cr leached from the tailings more easily than Cu,Zn,and Pb under acidic conditions(pH=2.98).Geo-accumulation indices and potential ecological risk indices showed that Sb,As,Cd,and Pb were highly enriched in the tailings,whereas Cu,Cr,and Zn contents were relatively low.The single factor ecological risk index of the mining area showed that Sb and As are high ecological risk factors,whereas Cr,Cu,Zn,Cd,and Pb are not.The results of the orthogonal test results showed that by adding 15.0%(m/m)fly ash and 15.0%(m/m)zeolite powder to the quicklime and curing for 28 d,a significant stabilization effect was observed for Sb,As,and Pb.This study helps determine the priority control components for characteristic heavy metals in antimony tailings,and provides valuable insights regarding the formulation of appropriate mitigation strategies.
文摘Spatial distribution of heavy metals, arsenic and organic matter in recent sediments in the Hangzhou section of the Grand Canal and their relationships were analyzed. The results showed that the concentrations of heavy metals and organic matters varied widely along the canal, and the average geological accumulation factors decreased in the following orders: organic carbon(2.6), zinc(2.1), cadmium(2.0), copper(1.5), lead(1.1), nitrogen(0.9), mercury (0.8), phosphorus(0.4), arsenic(0.2) and chromium(0). Content of heavy metals and organic carbon in the top 10 cm layer were lower than that of lower layers, except for mercury and organic carbon in the S9 section. Contents of organic carbon in the top 50 cm layer of the mud sediments are significantly higher than those underneath. In the bottom mud layer, there is a concentration peak of the pollutants. In the mud sediments of the canal, cadmium mainly occurred in the Fe and Mn oxide fraction, copper in the organic fraction, lead in the Fe and Mn oxide fraction, and zinc in the carbonate and the Fe and Mn oxide fraction.
基金Supported by the Major Science and Technology Program for Water Pollution Control and Treatment(No.2012ZX07103-005)
文摘The Nanfei River (Anhui Province, China) is a severely polluted urban river that flows into Chaohu Lake. In the present study, sediments were collected from the river and analyzed for their heavy metal contents. Multivariate statistics and the fuzzy comprehensive assessment method were used to determine the sources of pollution, the current pollution status, and spatial and temporal variations in heavy metal pollution in sediments. The concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in sediments ranged from 5.67-113, 0.08-40.2, 41.6-524, 15.5-460, 0.03-4.84, 13.5-180, 18.8-250, and 47.9-1 996 mg/kg, and the average concentrations of each metal were 1.7, 38.7, 1.8, 5.5, l 8.8, 1.3, 2.5, and 11.1 times greater than the background values, respectively. Multivariate statistical analysis demonstrated that Hg, Cu, Cr, Cd, and Ni may have originated from industrial activities, whereas As and Pb came from agricultural activities. The fuzzy comprehensive assessment method, based on the fuzzy mathematics theory, was used to obtain a detailed assessment of the sediment quality in the Nanfei River watershed. The results indicated that the pollution was moderate in the downstream tributaries of the Nianbu and Dianbu Rivers, but was severe in the main channel of the Nanfei River and in the upstream tributaries of the Sill and Banqiao Rivers. Therefore, sediments in the Nanfei River watershed are heavily polluted and urgent measures should be taken to remedy the status.
基金Supported by the Science and Technology Infrastructure Platform of Shanxi Province(201705D121012)the Technology Independent Innovation Capability Upgrading Project(2017zzcx-20)the Doctoral Fund Project of Shanxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences(YBSJJ1616)
文摘In order to evaluate the accumulation characteristics of heavy metals in the cultivars of Agaricus bisporus in Shanxi Province and to select the varieties with high resistances to heavy metal pollution, atomic absorption spectrophotometer and the atomic fluorescence spectrophotometer were used as the determination methods to compare the heavy metal contents and accumulation characteristics of 6 different varieties. The results showed that 3 heavy metal elements (lead, chromium and cadmium) were tested in the 6 varieties of A. bisporus , all of which were contaminated by heavy metals, but basically no beyond the national standards for food safety. In general, these varieties had less quality risk and could be eaten safely. The accumulation characteristics of heavy metals in these varieties were analyzed, and the varieties were screened according to the resistance to heavy metals pollution. The results showed that variety No. 1 and No. 6 were the varieties with strong comprehensive resistance to the 3 types of heavy metal pollution, and variety No. 3 was a species with weak comprehensive ability in resisting heavy metal pollution.
文摘Pavement runoff sampling points were set up on the main roads of Chengdu city.Six rainfall-runoff events from July to September in 2017 were sampled by synchronous observation of rainfall,runoff and pollution.The concentration changes of copper,lead,zinc,chromium and cadmium in the runoff process were monitored,and the pollution emission regularity and initial scouring effect were studied.The results show that the emission regularity of pavement runoff pollution is closely related to rainfall characteristics and pollutant occurrence,and the concentration of dissolved heavy metals reaches its peak at the initial stage of runoff.The peak time of particulate heavy metal concentration lagged slightly behind that of rainfall intensity.There is a big difference between the strength of initial scouring degree and dissolved heavy metals the stronger the initial scouring degree of total heavy metals,the weaker the dissolved heavy metals.Reducing pavement runoff in the early stage of rainfall is an effective means to control heavy metal pollution.
基金Project(20507022) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China
文摘A greenhouse experiment was conducted to elucidate the growth changes and tissues anatomical characteristics of giant reed(Arundo donax L.),a perennial rhizomatous grass,which was cultivated for 70 d in soils contaminated with As,Cd and Pb.The results show that giant reed rapidly grows with big biomass of shoots in contaminated soil,possessing strong metal-tolerance with limited metal translocation from roots to shoots.When As,Cd and Pb concentrations in the soil are less than 254,76.1 and 1 552 mg/kg,respectively,plant height and dried biomass are slightly reduced,the accumulation of As,Cd and Pb in shoots of giant reed is low while metal concentration in roots is high,and the anatomical characteristics of stem tissues are thick and homogeneous according to SEM images.However,plant height and dried biomass are significantly reduced and metal concentration in plant shoots and roots are significantly increased(P<0.05),the stems images become heterogeneous and the secretion in vascular bundles increases significantly when As,Cd and Pb concentrations in the soil exceed 334,101 and 2 052 mg/kg,respectively.The giant reed is a promising,naturally occurring plant with strong metal-tolerance,which can be cultivated in soils contaminated with multiple metals for ecoremediation purposes.
基金funded by a grant from the United Fund of Guizhou Province GovernmentNational Natural Science Foundation of China(No.U1612442-3)the Project of the Education Department of Guizhou Province(Nos.KY 2016011,GZZ201607,and ZDXK201611)
文摘Batch experiments tively evaluate the inhibition were conducted to compara- effects and mechanisms of a low-concentration (1%) proline solution cover on the release of pollutants from high-sulfur coal gangue. High- sulfur coal gangue was continuously immersed in a proline solution and in deionized water (as a control treatment) for 540 days. The results showed that the coal gangue in the control treatment was oxidized and generated leachate with poor water qualities, i.e., the leachate exhibited lower pH values, higher redox potential values, higher pollutant concentrations (804^2-, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn), and high levels of acidophilic sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. However, compared to the control treatment, the addition of the proline solution (1%) significantly improved the water quality of the leachate by significantly reducing the Eh values, the pollutant concentrations (804^2-, Fe^2+, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn), and the activity of acidophilic sulfur-oxidiz- ing bacteria and by significantly increasing the pH value to neutral. The proline treatment significantly inhibited the oxidation of coal gangue and the release of pollutants, mainly by inhibiting the activity of acidophilic sulfur-ox- idizing bacteria and by altering the heavy metal fractions and the mineralogical characteristics. Therefore, in engi- neering practice, workers should consider using an envi- ronmental friendly aqueous proline solution cover to achieve the in-situ control of pollutant releases from coal gangue dumps.
文摘The present investigation deals with the assessment of pollution status along the wetland of Thane Creek, which has been subjected to a lot of pollution from the Asia’s biggest Thane—Belapur Industrial Complex located at the south of Mumbai harbor along the west coast of India. This paper advocates habitat conservation and ecological studies with special reference to the physico-chemical characteristics and heavy metal pollution in the soil along the creek area. In the present investigation, the pH, electrical conductivity, bulk density, alkalinity and chlorinity values recorded were observed to be high during dry seasons and low during rainy season. The soil samples were also analyzed for their heavy metal contents like nickel, zinc, cadmium, copper, iron, arsenic and mercury. It was observed that, the concentration of these heavy metals increases gradually in dry seasons, followed by sharp decrease during rainy season. These heavy metals have a marked effect on the aquatic flora and fauna which through bio magnification enter the food chain and ultimately affect the human beings as well. The present experimental data on heavy metal pollution in soil samples collected along Kalwa bridge of Thane Creek points out to the need of regular monitoring of water resources and further improvement in the industrial waste water treatment methods. If the present conditions continue for a long period, the creek may soon become ecologically inactive.
基金Supported by the Science and Technology Basic Condition Platform of Shanxi Province(201705D121012)Doctoral Foundation of Shanxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences(YBSJJ1616)
文摘The accumulation characteristics and resistance to heavy metal pollution of six varieties of Agar/cus b/spoms were studied. The results showed that arsenic, mercury and cadmium content could be detected in the six varieties, and all of the varieties were contaminated by heavy metals ,but they did not exceed the limits in the national standards for food safety. These varieties had a low quality risk and can be eaten safely. Varie-ties 1 and 6 were strongly resistant to the three kinds of heavy metals, while variety 4 was weakly resistant to heavy metal pollution.
文摘Metal toxicity and soil salinity at excessive levels in soils are toxic to plants. The main objective of this study was to demonstrate the effects of water salinity (NaCl) and heavy metal concentration on germination and seedling characteristics of maize and beans seeds. Different concentrations of NaCl (0 to 35000 mg/L) and Zn<sup>2+</sup>, Cu<sup>2+</sup> and Pb<sup>2+</sup> with concentrations 0 to 600 μmol/L each were used separately. These solutions were used to irrigate maize and bean seeds for 30 days. Data was taken daily for the following parameters;“the number of germinated seeds, shoot length, shoot circumference, leaf area index, leaf colors, senescence, and disease occurrences.” The crops were uprooted at the end of the 30 days and their wet masses were measured and recorded. Results indicated that seed germination reduced with an increase in the concentration of NaCl for both maize and beans with 0% germination recorded in concentrations > 5000 mg/L. The same trends were observed for other parameters, the shoot length, the leaf area index, and the shoot circumference. “For heavy metals, the trends were similar. Beans growth was more affected by Zn and Cu but maize growth was more affected by Pb.” The dry masses and wet masses of the crops with higher concentrations of metals and salts were very low compared to the control experiments. For the effects of salinity and heavy metals on beans and maize seeds, there was a significant difference (P ≤ 0.001) between all tested concentrations and the control for all growth parameters monitored. It was concluded from the results that salinity and heavy metals affect the germination and seedling characteristics of maize and beans;though some metals are essential, their presence in higher concentrations instead cause harm.