I'm currently working on mining site. My aim is to determine the uptake and accumulation level of heavy metals in plant parts. I have used BCF and TF to determine the bioavailability and translocation capacity of the heavy metals into plant parts, however to know the contamination source and degree of metal enrichment in the plant parts I'm attempting to use CF and EF. I want to know if there is any justification for the use of these methods in plant study.
It depends, to use CF, you should have a reference concentration. The reference concentration could be taken from bodies such as WHO, FAO etc and used in computing CF. You may also consider having a control set up and use a reference. EF is mainly used in modeling soil data. For plant it may not be appropriate, the BCF you computed is ok.
BCF and TF are the right tools to evaluate metal accumulation in plants. However, contamination factor (CF) and enrichment factor (EF) are employed to determine the level of contamination at a particular site compared to the background concentration or reference site. Unfortunately, I don't believe they can be used in plant studies.
Yes, of course, you can use
CF and EF are good tools for heavy metals contamination judge in plants.
I don't think it will be good to us EF and CF ,because heavy metal mobility in soil is not readily justified. Eventhough, they are literatures showing that. In addition some heavy metals contaminant are not really available for natural distribution, most especially, those in deep soil that have to be excavate out.
CF and EF are generally applicable to soils and sediments only.
Thank you all for your various contributions. Your contributions and suggestions were very helpful and insightful.
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