纳塔栎和柳叶栎对铅锌矿区污染土壤的修复潜力分析:田间试验

通过野外调查、采样和实验室分析方法,研究优新景观树种纳塔栎（Quercus nuttallii）和柳叶栎（Quercus phellos）对湖南郴州Pb、Zn矿区复合污染土壤的适应性和修复潜力。试验设计A、B、E区种植1年生纳塔栎,C、D区种植1年生柳叶栎,1年后测量株高、地径、生物量等生长指标,随机采集植物全株及根际土壤,测试植物根际土壤和树木组织中的重金属含量。试验结果：Pb、Zn矿区土壤受到重金属Cd、Pb、Zn和As的复合污染,不同区域的土壤表现出污染异质性,采用单污染指数（Pi）和内梅罗指数（P_N）评价不同地块的污染程度,A区尾矿库（P_N=20.08）和B区（P_N=3.14）为重度复合污染,C区（P_N=2.43）为中度复合污染,D区（P_N=1.55）和E区（P_N=1.07）为轻微污染。纳塔栎和柳叶栎在以上不同污染地块均能正常生长,株高、地径和生物量与复合污染指数（内梅罗指数）及重金属含量呈负相关。其中纳塔栎对Cd的生物富集系数（BCF）在A、B、E区分别为6.27-8.37、3.67-4.38、42.93-52.75,高于C、D区柳叶栎对Cd的生物富集系数1.79-2.15、0.89-1.07。B-E区Zn的转运系数（TF）在1.79-2.28之间,A区Zn的转运系数为0.43。结论：纳塔栎和柳叶栎表现出较强的重金属耐性,对Cd具有较高的生物富集能力,对Zn具有较高的转运能力。其中纳塔栎对重金属积累能力较强,可作为亚热带地区铅锌矿区Cd、Pb、Zn、As复合污染土壤的植被恢复及生态修复候选树种。     

重庆地区主要作物重金属富集特征

采集了重庆地区6种主要作物(水稻、玉米、空心菜、红薯、土豆、南瓜)食用部分和对应根系土壤样品,分析了Pb、Cr、Zn、As、Hg、Cu、Ni、Cd 8种重金属元素的含量,讨论了作物对重金属的富集水平及重金属的协同和排斥关系。结果表明,不同作物食用部分重金属的含量为籽粒类>根茎类>瓜果类,南瓜对8种重金属的富集能力远远低于其他物种,水稻富集水平较高;红薯和空心菜对Cr的富集、水稻对Cd的富集分别较为依赖于土壤中Cr、Cd的含量,而土豆对As元素的富集与土壤中该元素的浓度含量呈显著负相关关系;不同重金属在植物体内的富集协同和排斥关系均存在,但总体协同大于排斥,Zn和Cu、Cd和Ni、Cr和Ni多数呈协同关系,这种协同关系可以应用于重金属复合污染区域的植物修复。     

湖南石门、冷水江、浏阳3个矿区的苎麻重金属含量及累积特征

对湖南省石门、冷水江、浏阳3个矿区土壤和苎麻体内重金属进行测定和分析。结果表明,石门雄黄矿区As污染严重,伴随Cd、Sb污染和轻微的Pb污染;冷水江锑矿区Sb为主要污染物,伴随Cd、As、Pb污染;浏阳七宝山矿区Cd污染严重,伴随Pb、Zn、Cu污染。15个采样点的苎麻群落生长繁茂,Sb和As在苎麻不同部位间的分布次序为叶片中含量最高,根茎中次之,其余重金属在部位间分布没有规律。所有采样点苎麻地上部的Cd含量比一般植物的Cd含量大2-10倍,As含量大9.9-147.5倍,Sb含量大1.2-338.4倍;Cd富集系数和转移系数最高值为2.07和3;As富集系数和转移系数最高值为1.04和12.42,Sb富集系数和转移系数最高值为1.91和9.04。3个矿区苎麻地上部生物量分别为3.47,14.3,15.7 t/hm²,地上部Cd、Pb、As、Sb、Zn和Cu的累积量分别高达0.11、1.17、0.72、7.97、6.71,1.69 kg/hm²,兼具一定的经济价值和观赏性,适合用作矿区重金属污染土壤的环境治理和修复。     

四川甘洛铅锌矿区优势植物的重金属含量

通过野外调查采样,分析了四川凉山州甘洛县铅锌矿区土壤的重金属含量,以及矿区生长的13种优势植物对Pb、Zn、Cd、Cr、Cu的吸收与富集能力及其富集特性.结果表明,矿区土壤受Pb、Zn、Cd 3种重金属污染严重,13种植物体内的Pb含量均高于普通植物10倍以上,具有修复矿区土壤铅污染的潜力,其中植物1的转运系数和富集系数都大于1,满足Pb超富集植物的基本特征.Zn在凤尾蕨、细风轮菜、大火草、蔗茅、小飞蓬和牛茄子中含量较高.小飞蓬和紫茎泽兰的Cd含量较一般植物高出17～61倍,其中,紫茎泽兰的转运系数与富集系数均大于1,其对Cd的吸收特性值得进一步研究.     

铜铅胁迫下水分、温度和施肥对黑麦草富集能力的影响

黑麦草（Lolium perenne L.）,是我国南方主要种植牧草之一,对土壤重金属（As、Zn、Cu、Pb、Cd等）具有一定富集效果。通过室内盆栽、正交试验的方法,研究不同水分、温度和施肥条件及其互作对黑麦草在Cu、Pb单一及复合胁迫下耐受性及富集能力的影响。结果表明：（1）在Cu、Pb胁迫下,黑麦草在90% WHC、保证N肥施用时取得最大生物量,其茎叶及根分别在30及25℃时生长积累最大;Cu-Pb复合胁迫使黑麦草地上部分的生长受到抑制。（2）综合分析金属含量及富集系数,90% WHC有利于黑麦草对Cu、Pb的富集,而温度、肥料随黑麦草富集部位及单一、复合金属污染的不同具有最适差异性。（3）黑麦草仅在90% WHC水分、30℃及施NPK肥时,对重金属Pb具有大于1的转运系数,其余各环境因子组合只能在不同程度上小幅改变植物转运系数,即黑麦草对Cu、Pb重金属的转运能力较差。（4）方差分析结果显示,水分和温度可作为对黑麦草Cu、Pb富集能力具有显著影响的单因子,在Cu、Pb单一污染胁迫下,还受到其二因素交互的显著影响;在单一及复合污染中,富集能力均受到与肥料间三因素交互作用的显著影响。综上,运用黑麦草作为修复植物改善土壤Cu、Pb污染状况时,可主要调节水分至90% WHC,并辅以改善温度和施肥条件来优化富集效果。     

炼锌废渣-修复植物-凋落物体系的生态化学计量学研究

为揭示金属冶炼废渣堆场生态修复多年后,废渣-植物-凋落物系统中养分循环和系统维持机制。该研究以实现生态修复6 a的黔西北铅锌冶炼废渣堆场上土荆芥(Dysphania ambrosioides)、芦竹(Arundo donax)、刺槐(Robinia pseudoacacia)、构树(Broussonetia papyrifera)和柳杉(Cryptomeria fortunei)五种优势修复植物为对象,分析它们的主要营养器官(细根、粗根、茎/干、枝、叶片)、地表凋落物、植被下方表层废渣(0～10 cm)中碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)含量及化学计量特征,探讨它们之间的相互关系。结果表明:不同植物、不同营养器官间C、N、P的含量具有显著差异(P<0.05),C平均含量在两种草本植物中为茎>叶片>根>凋落物,在三种乔木中为干>枝>细根>粗根>叶片>凋落物; N和P的分布在草本植物中分别为叶片>凋落物>根>茎和叶片>根>凋落物>茎,在三种乔木中均为叶片>细根>凋落物>粗根>枝>干。五种植物中,柳杉各营养器官及凋落物中C含量均高于其他植物,N、P含量呈相反的规律; 刺槐中N含量最高。C:N和C:P在五种植物营养器官与凋落物中的变化规律跟N、P的分布相反,说明C:N和C:P分别主要受N和P含量影响。相关性分析指出,草本植物的N:P受N和P共同影响,三种乔木的N:P主要由N的分布决定,同时受到枝和叶片中P含量影响。五种植物中,仅豆科类刺槐的叶片N:P大于16,在系统中生长受P限制,其他植物生长均受N限制,说明刺槐更能适应贫瘠的废渣环境,建议在修复贫瘠的废渣堆场时优先选择豆科类植物作为先锋植物,改善基质养分条件。植被下方表层废渣中C、N、P含量基本都低于植物各营养器官及凋落物,不同修复植物下方对应的表层废渣中C、N、P含量间具有显著差异(P<0.05),草本植物修复下的废渣中C、N、P含量低于乔木修复下的含量。废渣-植物-凋落物体系中N、P、N:P之间的相关性分析显示,植物细根和凋落物中N、P含量与废渣中N、P含量及化学计量比关系更密切。     

修复白洋淀镉污染水体的沉水植物筛选试验

为了筛选出适宜修复白洋淀镉(Cd)污染水体的沉水植物,该研究通过室内模拟试验,分析了四种沉水植物黑藻、狐尾藻、金鱼藻和菹草对Cd的耐受性及对底泥Cd的富集和迁移能力。结果表明:(1)通过毒性测试研究,Cd对黑藻、狐尾藻、金鱼藻及菹草的4 d-EC₅₀(半数抑制浓度)分别为0.51、0.81、0.03、0.12 mg·L^-1,狐尾藻对Cd的耐性最强,黑藻次之,金鱼藻对Cd的耐性最低; 四种沉水植物对Cd的最大富集量分别为27.89、15.28、22.54、32.74 g·kg^-1,菹草对Cd的富集能力最强,黑藻次之,狐尾藻对Cd的富集能力最低。(2)通过Cd污染底泥修复研究,黑藻、狐尾藻和菹草体内Cd富集量整体表现为根>叶片和茎(P<0.05); 地上部、根对Cd的富集能力分别表现为黑藻>菹草>狐尾藻,菹草>黑藻>狐尾藻; 三种沉水植物对Cd的迁移能力则表现为黑藻>狐尾藻>菹草。总之,黑藻对底泥中Cd富集和迁移能力均较强,且耐性较高,是最适合修复白洋淀Cd污染水体的沉水植物。     

AMF和植物富集土壤中铅和镉的效应

为了筛选更适合修复土壤重金属污染的丛枝菌根真菌(Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,AMF)和寄主植物组合,对二月兰(Orychophragum violaeeus)、龙葵(Solanum nigrum)和麦冬(Ophiopogon japonicus)接种AM真菌摩西管柄囊霉(Funneliformis mosseae)和根内球囊霉(Glomus intraradices),通过测定Pb(1 000 mg/kg)和Cd(1.5 mg/kg)污染土壤中上述3种植物生长状况及其对Pb和Cd吸收与富集能力的影响,旨在获得富集重金属能力较强的AM真菌+植物组合。结果表明,施加Cd土壤中二月兰和麦冬的生物量高于对照,施加Pb或Cd处理显著降低龙葵的生长。龙葵对Pb和Cd富集能力最强,麦冬最弱;二月兰对Pb和Cd的转移能力最强。供试植物对Cd的富集能力和转移能力均大于对Pb的富集能力和转移能力。在Pb和Cd的胁迫下,摩西管柄囊霉和根内球囊霉均能促进供试植物的生长发育,并增加植株对Pb和Cd的富集系数,其中,摩西管柄囊霉对龙葵生物量、Pb和Cd富集系数的效应最大。综合考虑植物本身的生物量、对Pb和Cd的耐受力和富集能力,结论认为摩西管柄囊霉+龙葵组合是修复Pb或Cd污染土壤的高效AM真菌+植物组合之一,相关机制有待进一步研究。     

佛山城市典型森林群落土壤重金属分布、流通及枯落物富集特征

富集重金属的枯落物分解可能提高重金属暴露率,增加人体接触健康风险。为了解南方城市土壤重金属在森林生态系统中的分布及流转情况,通过调查研究了佛山市8个典型森林群落土壤及枯落物重金属含量,分析了各森林群落枯落物对不同重金属的富集效应及重金属随枯落物回归土壤流通量。结果表明：1）城市森林各土壤重金属含量在不同典型群落间差异显著（P<0.05）,差异最大为Pb、Cr、Zn,As、Cu、Ni次之,Hg、Cd最小;土层深度（0-20,20-40,40-60 cm）对重金属含量影响显著（P<0.05）,差异最大为Cd、Hg,其次为As、Cu,最小为Zn、Ni、Pb、Cr。整体上,Cd、Hg、As、Pb、Zn在0-20 cm最高,表层富集特征明显,Cr和Ni在40-60 cm最高。2）8个森林群落中阴香-白楸-醉香含笑群落（CMMC）枯落物对8种重金属的综合富集系数（TBCF,66.76）最高,其中以Cd的富集效果最突出,富集系数为44.45,且对Pb、Cu、Zn也相对富集;最低的为黧蒴锥-香椿-樟树群落（CTCC）,综合富集系数（TBCF）为8.09,仅对Cd、Cr、Cu相对富集,对其余重金属富集效应不明显。3）相关分析显示,群落重金属枯落物流通量与0-60 cm土壤重金属平均含量（Cr和Ni除外）无显著相关性。本研究对城市森林建设管理及筛选重金属富集植物及群落具有较强理论及实践意义。     

水培条件下四种植物对Cd、Pb富集特征

利用水培方法测定了不同浓度下向日葵、蓖麻、紫花苜蓿及芥菜的生物量和植物体内重金属Cd、Pb含量,分析了植物对重金属的富集特征。结果表明:经过5周培养后,4种植物根部与地上部对重金属的富集量随着浓度的增加而增加,Cd浓度为20mg·L-1时,向日葵的根部Cd含量最高,达到237.86mg·kg-1,地上部Cd含量为89.48mg·kg-1;而Pb浓度为200mg·L-1时,芥菜根部对Pb的吸收量较高,达到597.22mg·kg-1,地上部Pb含量最高的则出现在向日葵处理Pb100mg·L-1中,为318.33mg·kg-1。4种植物对Cd、Pb的富集系数随重金属浓度的增加而减小;根部及地上部富集系数与生物量和重金属浓度呈现出一定的相关性;另外,在Cd、Pb复合处理中,一种重金属的存在会在不同程度上影响植物对另一种重金属的吸收。通过比较4种植物根部与地上部的生物量和对Cd、Pb富集特征,认为相对于其他3种植物向日葵对Cd、Pb具有较强的吸收潜力,并可以作为Cd、Pb污染土壤植物修复的备选植物。     

Phytoremediative potential of salt-tolerant grass species for cadmium and lead under contaminated nutrient solution

Abstract

Phytoremediation of heavy metal contaminated soils represents a promising technique and salt-tolerant hyperaccumulators for multiple metals are the need of time. Therefore, phytoremediation potential of four salt-tolerant grass species [Dhab (Desmostachya bipinnata), Kallar (Leptochloa fusca), Para (Brachiaria mutica) and Sporobolus (Sporobolus arabicus Boiss)] was evaluated for cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in a hydroponic study. The plants were harvested after a growth period of 3 months in a nutrient solution containing different levels of Cd (0, 5, and 25?mg?L^?1) and Pb (0, 25, and 125?mg L^?1). Results indicated that Dhab grass showed the highest root and shoot dry matter yield followed by Para, Kallar and Sporobolus grass irrespective of metal or its level under which they were grown. All the grass species showed considerable Cd-accumulating potential with an accumulation of >150?mg kg^?1of shoot dry matter at a higher level of Cd-contamination (25?mg?L^?1). While in case of shoot Pb-accumulation only Para grass performed well and accumulated Pb >1000?mg kg^?1 of shoot dry matter at the higher level of Pb-contamination (125?mg?L^?1). Moreover, Para and Dhab grasses performed better for shoot Cd-uptake, while only Para grass showed promising shoot Pb uptake potential. In conclusion, these grass species could be penitentially used for phytoremediation of salt-affected Cd and Pb contaminated soils.     

Acacia nilotica L. Bark Removes Toxic Elements from Solution: Corroboration from Toxicity Bioassay Using Salix viminalis L. in Hydroponic System

The present investigation deals with the advantages and potential of the Acacia nilotica bark as an adsorbent of toxic metals. Bark (1 g) when added to 100 ml of aqueous solution containing 10 μg ml^-1 metal solution exhibited different metal adsorption values for different metals. The order of metal adsorption being Cr ≥ Ni > Cu > Cd > As > Pb. A similar trend of metal adsorption was observed when the bark is reused (1^st recycle) Cr> Ni > Cu > Cd > Pb and also in the column sorption. In order to verify the metal removal property of A. nilotica bark, toxicity bioassay with Salix viminalis stem cuttings in hydroponic system augmented with Cd, Cr, and Pb together with A. nilotica bark powder was carried out. The results of toxicity bioassay confirmed the metal adsorption property of the bark powder. The functions of toxicity studies include leaf area, root length and number of new root primordia produced per stump. The leaf area, root length, and the number of new root primordia increased considerably in the presence of A. nilotica bark. The order of metal toxicity for leaf area and new root primordial is Cd > Cr > Pb. However, for root length the order of metal toxicity is Cr > Cd > Pb. The metal budgets of the leaf and root confirmed that the bark powder had adsorbed substantial amount of toxic metals and thus alleviates the toxicity imposed by the various tested elements. Hence, the utility of A. nilotica bark in developing and designing innovative technology for the clean up of toxic elements in aqueous solutions and possible scope for its use in phytoremediation are discussed.     

四种金花茶组植物叶片金属元素含量及富集特性研究

以四种金花茶组植物为研究对象,采用原子吸收光谱法和原子荧光法,测定其嫩叶、老叶及对应土壤中Mg、Ca、Mn、Fe、Zn、Ni、Se、Pb、Cd、Hg、As共11种元素的含量,并分别计算嫩叶和老叶对土壤金属元素的富集系数.结果表明:(1)4种金花茶组植物叶片富含Mg、Ga、Mn、Fe、Zn、Ni等营养元素,各元素在叶片中含量为Ca>Mg>Mn>Fe>Zn>Ni>Se;Pb、Cd、As、Hg等重金属元素含量较低,均达到无公害茶叶标准.(2)老叶和嫩叶中各金属元素含量差异较大,老叶中的Ca、Mn、Fe、Zn、Pb、Cd、Hg、As、Se元素含量均大于嫩叶,尤以Ca、Mn、Fe差异显著;嫩叶中的Mg和Ni含量大于老叶.(3)金花茶组植物对不同金属元素的富集能力不同,对各元素富集能力强弱为Ca、Mn、Mg>Zn、Ni、Hg>Pb、Se>Fe、As,老叶和嫩叶的富集规律存在差异.(4)不同金花茶组植物对金属元素的富集能力有较大差异,龙州金花茶(Camellia longzhouensis)和黄花抱茎茶(C.murauchii)对Mg、Ca、Mn、Zn、Ni、Se、Pb的富集能力均大于金花茶(C.nitidissima)和毛籽金花茶(C.ptilosperma).其中,龙州金花茶对Mg、Mn、Se的富集能力最强,黄花抱茎茶对Ca、Pb、Hg富集能力最强,金花茶对Hg的富集能力较强,对其它元素的富集能力均较弱;毛籽金花茶对Ca、Mn、Ni、Zn的富集能力均最弱.该研究结果为金花茶组植物的进一步开发和利用提供了理论依据.     

Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi On Yield and Phytoremediation Performance of Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) Under Heavy Metals Stress

In order to study the effect of mycorrhizal fungi (inoculated and non-inoculated) and heavy metals stress [0, Pb (150 and 300 mg/kg) and Cd (40 and 80 mg/kg)] on pot marigold (Calendula officinalis L.), a factorial experiment was conducted based on a randomized complete block design with 4 replications in Research Greenhouse of Department of Horticultural Sciences, University of Tehran, Iran, during 2012–2013. Plant height, herbal and flower fresh and dry weight, root fresh and dry weight and root volume, colonization percentage, total petal extract, total petal flavonoids, root and shoot P and K uptakes, and Pb and Cd accumulations in root and shoot were measured. Results indicated that with increasing soil Pb and Cd concentration, growth and yield of pot marigold was reduced significantly; Cd had greater negative impacts than Pb. However, mycorrhizal fungi alleviated these impacts by improving plant growth and yield. Pot marigold concentrated high amounts of Pb and especially Cd in its roots and shoots; mycorrhizal plants had a greater accumulation of these metals, so that those under 80 mg/kg Cd soil^?1 accumulated 833.3 and 1585.8 mg Cd in their shoots and roots, respectively. In conclusion, mycorrhizal fungi can improve not only growth and yield of pot marigold in heavy metal stressed condition, but also phytoremediation performance by increasing heavy metals accumulation in the plant organs.     

STABILITY OF ENHANCED YIELD AND METAL UPTAKE BY SUNFLOWER MUTANTS FOR IMPROVED PHYTOREMEDIATION

Plant biomass and metal shoot accumulation are key factors for efficient phytoextraction. In a previous study, chemical mutagenesis has been used to improve the phytoextraction potential of sunflowers. The main goal of the present study was to assess the stability of sunflower mutants with improved biomass and metal accumulation properties in the 3^rd and 4th generations. As compared to control plants, the best M₃ mutants showed the following improvement of metal extraction: Cd 3–5-fold, Zn 4–5-fold, and Pb 3–5-fold. The best M₄ sunflowers also showed enhanced metal extraction: Cd 3–4- fold, Zn 5–7-fold, Pb 6–8-fold and Cr 5–7-fold. The control sunflower inbred line IBL 04, grown directly on the field, accumulated metals in individual organs in the following decreasing order: Cd and Zn: leaves > stem > roots > flower > seeds; Cr: roots > flower > seeds > leaves > stem. The best sunflower mutants showed either higher metal accumulation in shoots or enhanced metal accumulation in roots, suggesting to improved phytoextraction or rhizofiltration efficiency, respectively.     

Biochemical and RAPD Analysis of Hibiscus rosa sinensis Induced by Heavy Metals

The present study was designed to assess the effects of three different metals (cadmium, lead, and zinc) at the same concentrations on Hibiscus rosa sinensis during metal uptake. The effects of different metals at the same concentrations were assessed on biomass, root-shoot length, and biochemical parameters like chlorophyll and antioxidant enzymes like SOD and CAT to establish the tolerance potential and toxic effects on plants in different metals. The accumulation of metals by plants was found to be in the following order: Zn > mixed metals > Cd > Pb, where Zn was accumulated approximately 79.6% in plant tissues. Plants removed from Cd showed more enzyme activities than the other two metals. DNA stability was investigated by a Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique, which demonstrated that the samples in Cd and mixed metal showed similar trends, whereas samples in Zn and Pb showed similar band intensity to the control. Results suggested that Cd and/or heavy metal stress influences antioxidant status and also induces DNA changes during remediation. Therefore, these studies could be a useful biomarker assay for better treatment for metals’ remediation from soil by means of phytoremediation.     

Effect of fertilizers on Cd accumulation and subcellular distribution of two cosmos species (Cosmos sulphureus and Cosmos bipinnata)

Addition of fertilizer amendments is regarded as an ideal approach to enhancing phytoextraction. However, there is little information available on the influence of common fertilizers on Cd accumulation of two newly reported Cd accumulators, Cosmos sulphureus and Cosmos bipinnata (C. sulphureus and C. bipinnata). The effects of N (CO(NH₂)₂), NP (CO(NH₂)₂ + Ca(H₂PO₄)₂), and NPK (CO(NH₂)₂ + Ca(H₂PO₄)₂ + KCl) fertilizers on Cd accumulation and subcellular distribution of C. sulphureus and C. bipinnata were studied in a 70-d pot experiment. The results showed that Cd uptake of C. sulphureus and C. bipinnata with NPK fertilizer was significantly higher than control, N, and NP fertilizers, especially 3.8- and 4.7-fold higher than control (p < 0.05). Compared with C. bipinnata, C. sulphureus achieved higher biomass and Cd uptake in aboveground parts under fertilizer treatments, especially NPK fertilizer. The Cd subcellular distribution revealed that segregation of Cd to Cd-rich granules (MRG) might play an important role in Cd detoxification in both species. C. sulphureus is more likely than C. bipinnata to separate the Cd in MRG and reduce the partition in the heat-denatured protein fraction, especially with NPK fertilizer. Therefore, C. sulphureus combined with NPK fertilizers could be an effective method to remediate Cd-polluted farmland soils in China.     

Heavy Metal Concentrations in Surface Sediments and Manila Clams (Ruditapes philippinarum) from the Dalian Coast, China after the Dalian Port Oil Spill

We conducted an investigation of heavy metal concentrations in Manila clams (Ruditapes philippinarum) and surface sediments after the Dalian Port oil spill. Samples were collected from three mariculture zones (Jinshitan, Dalijia, and Pikou) along the Dalian coast. Heavy metal concentrations in R. philippinarum were consistent and ranked in decreasing order of Zn > Cu > As > Cr > Pb > Cd > Hg, while concentrations in surface sediments were ranked as Zn > Cr > Cu > Pb > As > Cd > Hg, respectively. Bioaccumulation of Zn, Cd, and Hg had obviously occurred in R. philippinarum. Statistically significant correlations (p?<?0.05) between concentrations of Pb, Cd, and Hg in R. philippinarum and in surface sediments were observed. Except for Cr and As, heavy metal concentrations in R. philippinarum were well within the legal limits for human consumption.     

Rhizospheric soil enzyme activities and phytominimg potential of Aeluropus lagopoides and Cyperus conglomeratus growing in contaminated soils at the banks of artificial lake of reclaimed wastewater

This work investigates the phytoremediation potential of Aeluropus lagopoides and Cyperus conglomeratus, growing indigenously in the vicinity of an artificial lake of reclaimed water in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia . The sampling sites were located at different distances from the wastewater treatment plants. Trace metal contents were higher in roots than shoots in both these plants. Soil urease activity in rhizophere increased linearly along the sampling sites, however, soil alkaline phosphatase and β-glucosidase activities were higher at site 2 but at site 3, the activities of both these soil enzymes reduced. Significant correlations were observed between soil urease activity and the bioconcentration factor (BCF) of Cd, Cu, Pb, and As in A. lagopoides and translocation factor (TF) for all metals in both these plants. Soil β-glucosidase activity was negatively correlated with the TF of Cd, Cu, Pb, and As in A. lagopoides and positively in C. conglomeratus, respectively. Higher BCF of Cd, Cu and Pb than C. conglomeratus and suitable for phytostabilization, however at site 3, C. conglomeratus showed better phytostabilization efficiency for As, as the BCF of As was higher than the A. lagopoides. On the basis of metal accumulation efficiency and rhizospheric soil urease and β-glucosidase activities, A. lagopoides species proved to be a better option for application in phytostabilization strategy than C. conglomeratus plants in the area surrounding the artificial lake of reclaimed water in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.     

Effects of lead and cadmium on photosynthesis in Amaranthus spinosus and assessment of phytoremediation potential

Abstract

This study assessed the effects of Pb (0, 200, 500, 1000?mg kg^?1) and Cd (0, 5, 15, 30, 50?mg kg^?1) on photosynthesis in Amaranthus spinosus (A. spinosus), as well as the potential for phytoremediation by pot-culture experiment. Exposure to Pb/Cd produced a concentration-dependent decrease in biomass and all photosynthesis parameters, except for non-photochemical quenching, which increased with the metal concentration. The metals accumulated more in roots compared to shoots. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) of Pb was <1 in shoots at all Pb levels, whereas the BCF was <1 in roots at all but the lowest concentration of Pb. Roots extracted Cd from soil at all treatments. The translocation factor of Cd was larger than that of Pb suggesting that Cd is more mobile than Pb in A. spinosus. Amaranthus spinosus displays a high tolerance for both Pb and Cd with regards to growth and photochemical efficiency, but it is more sensitive to Cd than Pb. Amaranthus spinosus accumulates Pb and Cd primarily in the roots and Cd is more bioconcentrated and translocated in comparison to Pb. This investigation shows that A. spinosus has good potential for phytoremediation of soils contaminated by low levels of Cd and Pb.