Although scandium is a relatively widespread element in the earth crust, until recently there has been little information on the environmental chemistry of the element. On the one hand, geochemical behaviour of Sc may be similar to that of many bi-and trivalent elements (Mg, Al, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, Zr, rare earth elements, Hf, Th, and U). On the other hand, scandium may demonstrate rather unique chemical properties. The biological role of scandium is poorly known. Under ordinary conditions the concentration of Sc in plants is very low. It is much lower than Sc content in soil, suggesting that no bioaccumulation of Sc takes place. As a rule, concentration of Sc is higher in roots than in leaves and in seeds. A great variety of factors affecting the uptake of trace elements may contribute to values of Sc in plants. Data available in literature reveal a considerable diversity in vegetation concentrations of Sc and may not be comparable. Little is known yet about the toxicity of scandium. It was shown that an increase of Sc in soil may result in both a significant increase of Sc content in the plants and variations in concentrations of essential nutrients in all parts of plants.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationTrace and Ultratrace Elements in Plants and Soil
EditorsIrina Shtangeeva
Place of PublicationUK
PublisherWIT Press
ChapterChapter 9
Pages223-248
Number of pages26
Volume20
Edition1
ISBN (Print)1-853-12-960-7
StatePublished - 1 Dec 2004

Publication series

NameAdvances in ecological sciences
Volume20
ISSN (Print)1369-8273

    Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)
  • Environmental Science(all)

ID: 105806316