Abstract: Lead (Pb) concentration was investigated in tea plants (Camellia sinensis) grown in hydroponics by the FAAS method to understand the Pb uptake, accumulation and distribution characters in tea plants. The results showed that Pb ion can be uptaken and accumulated by roots in a large quantity, transported through stems along with concentration gradient, and redistributed. Cultured in 2500mg/L Pb solution or sprayed the same solution on leaves (cultured in distilled water), Pb concentration in roots were 8.00×10⁴mg/kg and 8.38×10³mg/kg, respectively, in leaves were 551.79mg/kg and 1.03×10⁴mg/kg respectively. Even such high accumulation the tea plants were still alived. At the range of 800~2000mg/L Pb solution, tea plants were gradually damaged; in the early time, absorbing roots became transparent, and then turned brown, and leaves were defoliated in the latter period. Tea plant cultured under the 300~800mg/L Pb solution for 35d, these plants grew well, and no damaged symptoms can be observed. Results indicated that tea plants possessed a strong ability of Pb uptake, accumulation and tolerance.

Key words: hydroponic tea plants, Pb solution concentration, Pb uptake, Pb cumulative multiple, Pb distribution