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Contamination of shooting range soil with trace metal(loid)s, especially Pb, is an important issue due to its potential environmental hazards. The aim of the study was to evaluate the bioavailability and toxicity of Sb, Fe, and Ni to lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) grown in highly contaminated soil (Pb 0.4—55 g kg−1, Sb < 0.5 g kg−1) of a civilian shooting range. Lettuce growth was negatively affected, especially of plants grown in the most highly contaminated soil, which was near the target lines, where roots accumulated Pb up to 40 g kg−1 (max 56 g kg−1), 10 times higher than in the shoots. Sb, Fe, and Ni were also accumulated in the roots, but their translocation to the shoots was low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shooting range soil is one of the most heavily contaminated sites in the world with heavy metals from shooting activities. The aim of the study was to evaluate remediation efficiency of contaminated shooting range soil using three plant species – Festuca arundinacea Schreb., Trifolium pratense L., and Medicago sativa L. assessing the impact of contamination on the development of plant species and the capacity of plants to accumulate potentially toxic elements from polluted soil. The field study was conducted in a Lithuanian civilian shooting range operating 65 years where lead (Pb) concentration in the shooting range soil was extremely high – 17,890 mg kg−1 and the elevated levels of antimony (Sb) was found in soil of berm. F. arundinacea had the highest biomass. The shoot height of all species grown in the contaminated shooting range soil was significantly lower than that of those grown in the uncontaminated soil. The shoot height of M. sativa and T. pratense was 30% lower compared to the control group, while the height reduction of F. arundinacea was only 10%. The same trend of the effect of contaminated soil on root length was observed - the roots were statistically significantly shorter than the control, while the mean root length of F. arundinacea did not differ from the control plants. The content of photosynthetic pigments in all three species tested was also significantly lower as that of the control plants due to contaminated shooting range soil. Shoots of T. pratense plants grown in the shooting range soil accumulated 10 times higher concentrations of Pb and 3 times higher concentrations of Sb in M. sativa compared to the control. Among all studied plants, F. arundinacea was the plant capable of accumulating significantly higher amounts of Pb, nickel (Ni) and Sb in roots than in shoots. The roots of all treated plants accumulated significantly higher concentrations of Pb compared to the control. The highest concentrations of Pb were determined in the shoots of F. arundinacea and T. pratense. Only the roots of M. sativa and F. arundinacea , accumulated higher concentrations of Ni and Sb, compared to controls. The significantly higher bioconcentration factor of Pb (BCF Pb) was determined in F. arundinacea but it still was lower than 1.0. The Pb accumulation capacity of the different plant species was in the following order: F. arundinacea > T. pratense > M. sativa showing phytostabilization potential of plants. T. pratense had the highest translocation factor (TF) values, being able to translocate a high proportion of Pb and Sb from roots to shoots, while F. arundinacea had the lowest efficiency. • Contaminated shooting range soil is a long-term source of Pb and Sb. • Determination of Pb, Sb and Ni plant uptake by three plant species. • Roots growth was impaired with the highest trace element accumulation in roots. • The highest phytoremediation efficiency was observed in T. pratense. • Higher accumulation of Pb in roots of the plants indicate of their phytostabilising properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contamination at shooting ranges is a growing concern due to the accumulation of potentially toxic elements in the soil. The aim of the study was to determine the level of soil contamination in different types of Lithuanian shooting ranges (clay-target, practical, small-bore) and assess the potential ecological risks. Soil samples were taken in two soil layer depths (0–10 cm and 10–30 cm) and locations (range floor and berm/target line) of different types of shooting ranges. The soils of the practical and small-bore shooting ranges were neutral, clay target – slightly alkaline. The soil of the clay-target firing range floor had a significantly lower organic matter, than small-bore and practical firing ranges. Lead contamination was significantly higher in the floor and berm surface soil and subsoil (about 1000 mg kg−1 and 360–527 mg kg−1, respectively) of the practice range compared to the others and controls. The Cd concentrations in the surface soil of the practical range and the small-bore firing ranges and in the soil of the berm were considerably higher than in the soil of the clay target. There was a significant negative correlation between soil pH and Pb and Cd concentrations. Pb content was positively correlated with organic matter content. The soils of the practical range floor and berm indicated high ecological risk. The research showed that heavy metal contamination is specific in different types of shooting ranges, therefore various management practices should be applied to prevent pollution in particular shooting range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]