Effect of heavy metal pollution on the absorption and accumulation of Pb in spinach

In order to study the absorption and accumulation of Pb in spinach grown in soil polluted by Pb or combined heavy metal, a pot experiment was carried out. The contents of heavy metals in the shoot and roots at the seedling and harvest stages, and the accumulation and distribution rates of each metal element were investigated. Results demonstrated that: combined heavy metal pollution by Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn depressed the toxic effect of Pd. Under the condition of multiple heavy metal pollution, Cd, Cu, and Zn inhibited the absorption of Pb by the root system, but had slight effect on the transportation of Pb. Under the experimental condition, the distribution rate of Pb in the shoot was low being about 14.73%–28.72%.