Vanadium uptake by higher plants: Some recent developments.

The occurrence of vanadium in the biosphere, and the possible roles this element may play in the metabolism of living organisms, especially higher plants, are discussed. The aqueous chemistry of the element is reviewed, and the chemical properties of the element are related to those of soils and plants. Evidence is present for a biotransformation of vanadium from vanadate (VO 3 (-) ) to vanadyl (VO(2+)) during uptake by plants, based on tissue analysis and ESR spectra. The significance of this process on the potential impact of vanadium in the biosphere is discussed.