Plant uptake response to metals and nitrate in simulated uranium mill tailings contaminated groundwater

Carrots, squash, and Sudan grass were irrigated with groundwater amended with manganese, molybdenum, selenium, and uranium stock solutions to simulate a range of concentrations found at ten inactive uranium ore milling sites to determine plant tissue levels after a 90 day growth period in sand in a greenhouse. Sudan grass was also dosed with a series of nitrate concentrations. Except for squash response to uranium, all plants showed an increased accumulation of each metal, some to unacceptable levels, with increased metal concentration dose. Squash did not accumulate uranium at any dose tested. Increased nitrate in the irrigation water did not have a major influence on Sudan grass accumulation of any metal.