The polar atom ratios show that (N + S + O) / C is ~ 1:1 in both husk and endosperm, indicating abundance of metal binding sites.
Si containing functional groups like silanol and siloxane in the husk are responsible for metal accumulation.
LA-ICP-MS and FTIR techniques provide spatial elemental distribution and metal binding moieties in rice seed tissues, respectively.
The edible embryo and endosperm are rich with Zn.
General order of metal concentration in rice seeds from the paddies in the vicinity of XKS mine was: Zn > Cd > Sb > Pb > As.