Contents and the biogeochemical characteristics of rare earth elements in wheat seeds

Contents of fifteen rare earth elements (REEs) in the seeds of sixty breeds of wheat collected from seed bank were measured by inductively coupled pla sma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The distribution patterns of contents of RE Es in wheat seeds (n = 58) were observed and compared with their average le vel in soils (n = 364). Differences among regions and between spring and wi nter wheat were tested. Comparison with literature data was also made. The results show that the content of REEs in wheat seed ranges between 10(-11) g . g(-1) and 10(-8) g . g(-1), 3-4 order of magnitudes lower than that in soils. The distribution patterns are that light REEs enriched and the Eu-an omaly is weak, similar to the soil case. No obvious differences were found among different regions and breeds. The data obtained in this study represe nt the contents of the fifteen REEs in wheat seeds.