Accumulating behaviour of Lupinus albus L. growing in a normal and a decalcified calcic luvisol polluted with Zn

Lupinus albus L. is a leguminous plant that is starting to generate interest for the phytoremediation soils showing intermediate metal pollution. Among these metals, Zn causes major phytotoxicity problems and is common in polluted soils of central Spain. The purpose of this study was to explore the nutritional behaviour of this plant species towards increasing Zn concentrations in two calcic luvisol soils: a normal basic soil and a decalcified acid soil. For this purpose the effects of different Zn concentrations on mineral nutrition, growth, nodulation and nitrogenase activity of nodulated Lupinus albus cv. Multolupa plants has been investigated. A 12-week trial was performed in pots under greenhouse conditions. In each soil, four replicate pots were set up per treatment (100, 150, 300, 500 and 700 ppm Zn). Seeds were inoculated with a Bradyrhizobium sp. (Lupinus) strain ISLU-16.

Statistical analysis of data revealed significant effects of soil Zn on grown, plant mineral composition and nodulation. Lupin growth was better in acid soil than in basic soil with the low dose of Zn applied, although plant growth in acid soil was severely affected from 300 ppm Zn, where the pH of the soil was 4.7. Zn application produce nutritional imbalances, especially with the higher dose added. Most of Zn accumulation occurred in the roots in both types of soils. In acid soil, lupin absorbs high amounts of Zn in both root (4650 ppm) and aerial part (3605 ppm), when the doses of Zn applied was 300 ppm. This feature permits Lupinus albus cv. Multolupa to be considered as potential phytoremediator and also for the revegetation of degraded landfill areas with slightly acid or neutral soils polluted with Zn.     

Bioassay as a tool for assessing susceptible and resistant plant species for field contaminated with industrial effluent

A bioassay technique was used to select plant species that were able to germinate and grow in a site contaminated with flash torch and battery manufacturing industrial effluents. Three varieties each of rice, namely Surya-52, Jaya-14 and Pant-10; three varieties of pulses [Gram (Bahar), Mung (K-851) and Lens (T-9)] and three varieties of oilseeds (Mustard-RS-30, Mustard-B-9 and Mustard T-69) were used for the determination of phytotoxicity by bioassay technique. The average % phytotoxicity for rice was 18.03% (14.34–22.7%), for pulses was 15.76% (8.75–26.64%) and for oil seed was 11.09% (6.42–15.24%). Accumulation of metals (Cu, Fe, Mn, Cd, Cr and Pb) was estimated in the root, shoot and edible parts of different crop varieties grown in pot culture up to maturity and treated with industrial effluent. The concentration of different metal ions in root, shoot and edible parts were in the range of Cu: 9.25–45.25, 7.25–42.35 and 5.65–35.26; Fe: 60.66–212.25, 45.24–155.62; Mn: 7.12–38.30, 6.25–27.27.23 and 4.25–24.45; Cd: 0.80–2.45, 0.75–2.12 and 0.45–1.95, Cr: 6.54–28.25, 5.36–24.45 and 4.35–16.32; and Pb: 0.95–3.75, 0.78–2.25 μg/g d.w. respectively. A higher concentration of Cd was found in Surya-52 rice variety and in Gram (Bahar) pulse variety and of Pb was detected in Surya-52 rice variety. Cd and Pb are non-essential metal ions and highly toxic to plants. Accumulation of toxic metal ions like Pb and Cd in the edible parts of oil a seed variety may not exceed the recommended daily intake limits. Percentage phytotoxicity and inhibition of root and shoot length was also less in the oil seed variety. Thus these plant varieties can be considered for cultivation in fields contaminated by waste from the flash-torch and battery-manufacturing industry.     

Wild Flora of Mine Tailings: Perspectives for Use in Phytoremediation of Potentially Toxic Elements in a Semi-Arid Region in Mexico

The aim of this research was to identify wild plant species applicable for remediation of mine tailings in arid soils. Plants growing on two mine tailings were identified and evaluated for their potential use in phytoremediation based on the concentration of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in roots and shoots, bioconcentration (BCF) and translocation factors (TF). Total, water-soluble and DTPA-extractable concentrations of Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Co and Ni in rhizospheric and bulk soil were determined. Twelve species can grow on mine tailings, accumulate PTEs concentrations above the commonly accepted phytotoxicity levels, and are suitable for establishing a vegetation cover on barren mine tailings in the Zimapan region. Pteridium sp. is suitable for Zn and Cd phytostabilization. Aster gymnocephalus is a potential phytoextractor for Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu; Gnaphalium sp. for Cu and Crotalaria pumila for Zn. The species play different roles according to the specific conditions where they are growing at one site behaving as a PTEs accumulator and at another as a stabilizer. For this reason and due to the lack of a unified approach for calculation and interpretation of bioaccumulation factors, only considering BCF and TF may be not practical in all cases.     

巨大芽孢杆菌对伴矿景天修复镉污染农田土壤的强化作用

伴矿景天(Sedum plumbizincicola)是一种Cd/Zn超积累植物,常用于Cd污染土壤的植物修复。巨大芽孢杆菌(Bacillus megaterium)是一种溶磷型细菌,既可以促进植物生长,也可以提高土壤重金属生物有效性,对重金属污染土壤植物修复具有强化作用。本研究采用盆栽试验方法,分析了巨大芽孢杆菌不同接种量(10～60 mL)对伴矿景天修复Cd污染农田土壤效率的影响。结果表明: 在Cd污染农田土壤中接种巨大芽孢杆菌可以提高土壤中Cd的活性,土壤有效态Cd含量较对照(CK)增加15.0%～45.0%。与CK相比,巨大芽孢杆菌提高了伴矿景天地上和地下部的生物量,增幅分别为8.7%～66.7%和13.6%～81.8%,并显著增加了伴矿景天地上部的Cd含量,增幅在29.2%～60.4%。在种植伴矿景天并接种巨大芽孢杆菌条件下,土壤Cd去除率在26.7%～42.9%。这说明接种巨大芽孢杆菌可以促进伴矿景天的生长,增加其Cd含量,从而提高Cd污染农田土壤的修复效率。     

长白山区苔草泥炭沼泽植物物种多样性

本研究以长白山区典型苔草沼泽为对象,分析了密丛型苔草(瘤囊苔草、乌拉草)沼泽和疏丛型苔草(毛苔草)沼泽的植物物种多样性.结果 表明:3种苔草沼泽植物群落共有83个物种,隶属于36科59属.其中,乌拉草沼泽有71个物种,瘤囊苔草沼泽有61个物种,毛苔草沼泽有26个物种.密丛型苔草沼泽植物物种数和物种丰富度明显高于疏丛型苔...     

Zinc hyperaccumulation and uptake by Potentilla griffithii Hook

The ability of Potentilla griffithii Hook var. velutina Cardot to hypaeraccumulate zinc (Zn) was identified through field survey and hydroponic experiments. Our results showed that P. griffithii could be classified as a new Zn hyperaccumulator. Zn concentrations in the shoots of P. griffithii averaged 6250 mg kg(-1) (3870-8530 mg kg(-1)) growing in Zn-rich soils. The highest Zn concentration was observed in the leaves of P. griffithii at 22,990 mg kg(-1). The fact that P. griffithii was able to grow in a mining soil with a Zn concentration of 193,000 mg kg(-1) without showing a major sign of phytotoxicity demonstrated its high tolerance to Zn. When growing in hydroponic systems, P. griffithii accumulated a maximum 26700 mg kg(-1) zinc concentration in the shoots, indicating the ability of this species to effectively take up and translocate Zn. Translocation factors (the ratio of Zn concentration in shoot to root) of 1.1 to 1.6 were obtained. Compared to the control, dry biomass of P. griffithii in 160 mg L(-1) Zn treatment increased 66.6% (P < 0.05). The time-course experiment showed that the maximum Zn concentration at 100 mg L(-1) Zn treatment was found at 16 d, much later than that of the 10 mg L(-1) Zn treatment, which might be an attribution of a accumulating mechanism or detoxification of a plant. The report of a new Zn hyperaccumulator provides a new plant species for the phytoremediation of contaminated soil and for the research on mechanisms of Zn hyperaccumulation in plants.     

Cochliopodium barki n. sp. (Rhizopoda, Himatismenida) re-isolated from soil 30 years after its initial description

A strain of Cochliopodium isolated from grassland soil at Sourhope Research Station (Scotland, UK) was found to be identical to the strain “Cochliopodium sp.2” studied by Bark in 1973. We name it Cochliopodium barki. It belongs to a group of species (comprising also C. minus and Cochliopodium sp. “NYS strain”) with very similar scale pattern.     

Inhibitory effect of leachate from Helianthus annuus on germination and growth of Kharif crops and weeds

Allelopathic potential of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) fresh plant tissues aqueous extraction in bioassay, rhizosphere soil in pot experiment and phytotoxicity of decomposed sunflower plant biomass in bioassay against Vigna radiata, Pennisetum glaucum, Trianthema portulacastrum and Parthenium hysterophorum was investigated. In bioassay aqueous extracts of fresh sunflower plant tissue inhibited the germination, seedling growth (shoot and root) and dry matter accumulation of test plant species. In pot study sunflower rhizosphere soil inhibited growth attributes (plant height, population, number of branches) and yield attributes (grain yield, biomass yield) of selected crops and weeds. Phytotoxicity of decomposed sunflower biomass showed inhibitory effect on selected plant species. The fresh plant tissues was greatest inhibitory to test plants and followed by that of the decomposed biomass extracts in all bioassays. Significant reductions in the root and shoot growth were observed as the extract concentration was increased. The concentrations of extract fraction of fresh sunflower was determined, since nine compounds i.e. ferulic, p-coumaric, syringic, chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid, vanillic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, caffeoylquinic acid, found to be main growth inhibitors in sunflower plant tissue. These results suggested that sunflower plants may possess allelopathic potential, and the plant tissues may be potentially useful for weed management.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal propagules in a salt marsh

The tolerance of indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to stressful soil conditions and the relative contribution of spores of these fungi to plant colonization were examined in a Portuguese salt marsh. Glomus geosporum is dominant in this salt marsh. Using tetrazolium as a vital stain, a high proportion of field-collected spores were found to be metabolically active at all sampling dates. Spore germination tests showed that salt marsh spores were not affected by increasing levels of salinity, in contrast to two non-marsh spore isolates, and had a significantly higher ability to germinate under increased levels of salinity (20) than in the absence of or at low salinity (10). Germination of salt marsh spores was not affected by soil water levels above field capacity, in contrast to one of the two non-marsh spore isolates. For the evaluation of infectivity, a bioassay was established with undisturbed soil cores (containing all types of AM fungal propagules) and soil cores containing only spores as AM fungal propagules. Different types of propagules were able to initiate and to expand the root colonization of a native plant species, but spores were slower than mycelium and/or root fragments in colonizing host roots. The AM fungal adaptation shown by this study may explain the maintenance of AMF in salt marshes.     

Assessing the applicability of phytoremediation of soils with mixed organic and heavy metal contaminants

Soil pollution is a major environmental problem and many contaminated sites are tainted with a mixture of organic and heavy metal contaminants. Compared to other remedial strategies, phytoremediation is a low cost, environmentally-friendly, sustainable means of remediating the contamination. This review first provides an overview of phytoremediation studies where the soil is contaminated with just one type of pollutant (heavy metals or organics) and then critically evaluates the applicability of phytotechnologies for the remediation of contaminated sites where the soil is polluted by a mixture of organic and heavy metal contaminants. In most of the earlier research studies, mixed contamination was held to be detrimental to plant growth, yet there were instances where plant growth was more successful in soil with mixed contamination than in the soil with only individual contaminants. New effective phytoremediation strategies can be designed for remediation of co-contaminated sites using: (a) plants species especially adapted to grow in the contaminated site (hyperacumulators, local plants, transgenic plants); (b) endophytic bacteria to enhance the degradation in the rizhosphere; (c) soil amendments to increase the contaminants bioavailability [chelating agents and (bio)surfactants]; (d) soil fertilization to enhance the plant growth and microbial activity in the soil; and (e) coupling phytoremediation with other remediation technologies such as electrokinetic remediation or enhanced biodegradation in the rhizosphere.     

A Rapid,Sensitive, Seedling-Based Bioassay for the Determination of Toxicity of Solid and Liquid Substrates and Plant Tolerance

We have developed a rapid, sensitive, seedling-based bioassay that can be used to evaluate the relative toxicity of solid and liquid media and to evaluate plant tolerance to toxic compounds. Using this method, it is possible to use percent germination, root and shoot growth as parameters. For this bioassay, solid substrate such as soil or acid-washed sand is sandwiched between two layers of microfiber filter paper inside a perforated Petri dish that bathes within a larger reservoir. The addition of distilled water or liquid media to the reservoir causes the liquid to pass through the perforations in the inner dish, through the solid substrate to form a film at the top of the filter paper that covers the substrate. Seeds are placed into the film of solution for germination and subsequent growth. Unlike germinating seeds in soil, the early germination of seeds can easily be observed. A distinction can then be made between seeds that do not germinate and those that do germinate but subsequently cease growth, giving the toxicity bioassay additional sensitivity. Root growth may be monitored as a time-course or measured at the end of the experiment. In addition, visual symptoms of stress such as swelling or coloration can be observed throughout the experiment. While shoot growth is often found to poorly reflect toxicity of media, we have found a good response in this parameter. The bioassay has been used to test relative toxicities of metal-contaminated soils, metal solutions, hydrocarbon-contaminated soils and soil leachates and airborne hydrocarbons accumulated in plant tissues.     

Phytoremediation in the Tropics—The Effect of Crude Oil on the Growth of Tropical Plants

Phytoremediation is a nondestructive, cost-effective in-situ technology to clean up contaminated soils. In the case of contamination with petroleum hydrocarbons, plants enhance microbial degradation of the contaminant in the rhizosphere. The potential of this technology for the tropics should be high due to prevailing climatic conditions favoring plant growth and stimulating microbial activity. Investigations of the potential of tropical plants for phytoremediation, however, are scarce. The present work studied two grasses and six legumes from the eastern savannah of Venezuela on their reaction to crude oil contamination in soil. Results shall help to identify plants with a potential for phytoremediation and subsequent studies. Seedling emergence and biomass production were determined for plants growing in soil contaminated with 0%, 3%, and 5% heavy crude oil. Contamination had, in general, a tendential but not significant negative influence on seedling emergence. Dry matter production was reduced by only a few percent to up to 85%. Furthermore, in some legumes inhibition of nodulation was observed. The grass Brachiaria brizantha and the legumes Centrosema brasilianum and Calopogonium mucunoides are promising for phytoremediation because in contaminated soil they combined high seedling emergence with least affected biomass production. Since they are cultivated forage/soil cover species also in other regions of the tropics, their potential for phytoremediation of petroleum contaminated soils extends beyond Venezuela.     

Liming to remediate Ni contaminated soils with diverse properties and a wide range of Ni concentration

Historic emissions from a Ni refinery at Port Colborne, Ontario, caused Ni contamination of regional soils and raised concerns about potential Ni phytotoxicity. Previous tests revealed that if these soils were made alkaline and fertilized with Mn and other common nutrients as needed to maintain fertility of such alkaline soils, full remediation (prevention of Ni phytotoxicity) would be obtained. This experiment was conducted to test this method of remediation on diverse soils from Port Colborne, and to evaluate chemical extraction tests which would be predictive of plant uptake and potential for Ni phytotoxicity in Ni-contaminated soils. Ten soils with varied levels of Ni contamination and varied soil properties were amended with limestone or nitric acid to raise or lower pH so that a wide pH range could be examined for the soils. For lower Ni organic and mineral soils near the Ontario remediation limit (200 mg/kg), neither crop suffered Ni phytotoxicity at any pH tested. Only when more highly contaminated soils were strongly acidic did Ni phytotoxicity occur. Phytotoxic soils were fully remediated by making soils alkaline even for these Ni-sensitive crop species. Only the most contaminated organic soil remained slightly toxic – but this soil was remarkably contaminated (over 1.1% of Ni). The Sr nitrate extraction method was much more effective in predicting plant Ni concentrations than the DTPA method. This test provides an inexpensive soil extraction result highly predictive of potential for Ni phytotoxicity across soils.     

Ecophysiology of Pennisetum clandestinum: a valuable salt tolerant grass

High concentrations of sodium are toxic to most plant species, making soil salinity a major abiotic stress for plant productivity world-wide. Its salinity resistance makes the turf grass Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst (kikuyu grass) a candidate plant for utilization and reclamation of salinized areas. Kikuyu grass, a perennial native to the highlands of Central Africa now common in many areas, has recently become a valuable pasture and lawn plant because of its growth rate and well developed root system. However, its salt resistance has yet to be fully evaluated. The objective of this study was to identify the biochemical and physiological basis of salt resistance of kikuyu grass for the use of this grass as pasture, in phytoremediation, in controlling soil erosion and in biomass production for energy, in salt affected lands, where the growth of other species is markedly reduced. This study focused on the effect of salinity on germination, growth, metabolism, biochemistry, nutritive properties and root morphology of kikuyu grass. We compile evidence that kikuyu grass can germinate and grow in salinized areas. The use of this salt-tolerant grass may be an important part of a range of practices, such as recycling saline wastewater and reclaiming salt-affected soil in arid-zone irrigation districts.     

Bacteria from wheat and cucurbit plant roots metabolize PAHs and aromatic root exudates: Implications for rhizodegradation

The chemical interaction between plants and bacteria in the root zone can lead to soil decontamination. Bacteria that degrade polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been isolated from the rhizospheres of plant species with varied biological traits; however, it is not known what phytochemicals promote contaminant degradation. One monocot and two dicotyledon plants were grown in PAH-contaminated soil from a manufactured gas plant (MGP) site. A phytotoxicity assay confirmed greater soil decontamination in rhizospheres when compared to bulk soil controls. Bacteria were isolated from plant roots (rhizobacteria) and selected for growth on anthracene and chrysene on PAH-amended plates. Rhizosphere isolates metabolized 3- and 4-ring PAHs and PAH catabolic intermediates in liquid incubations. Aromatic root exudate compounds, namely flavonoids and simple phenols, were also substrates for isolated rhizobacteria. In particular, the phenolic compounds—morin, caffeic acid, and protocatechuic acid—appear to be linked to bacterial degradation of 3- and 4-ring PAHs in the rhizosphere.     

Can Plants Grow on Mars and the Moon: A Growth Experiment on Mars and Moon Soil Simulants

When humans will settle on the moon or Mars they will have to eat there. Food may be flown in. An alternative could be to cultivate plants at the site itself, preferably in native soils. We report on the first large-scale controlled experiment to investigate the possibility of growing plants in Mars and moon soil simulants. The results show that plants are able to germinate and grow on both Martian and moon soil simulant for a period of 50 days without any addition of nutrients. Growth and flowering on Mars regolith simulant was much better than on moon regolith simulant and even slightly better than on our control nutrient poor river soil. Reflexed stonecrop (a wild plant); the crops tomato, wheat, and cress; and the green manure species field mustard performed particularly well. The latter three flowered, and cress and field mustard also produced seeds. Our results show that in principle it is possible to grow crops and other plant species in Martian and Lunar soil simulants. However, many questions remain about the simulants'' water carrying capacity and other physical characteristics and also whether the simulants are representative of the real soils.     

Spatial variation of plant communities and shoot Cu concentrations of plant species at a timber treatment site

Plant species, spatial variability in plant diversity and vegetation cover were recorded at a French timber treatment site with Cu-contaminated soils (65–2600 mg/kg). Shoot biomass, shoot Cu concentration and accumulation were determined for each plant species found on 168 quadrats with increasing total Cu in soil and soil solution. A total of 91 species occurred on the site including four considered as invasive (Cyperus eragrostis, Phytolacca americana, Senecio inaequidens, and Sporobolus indicus). Species richness, Shannon index, vegetation cover and plant biomass decreased as soil Cu increased. At low soil Cu, members of the Poaceae were most frequent followed by Fabaceae, Rosaceae, and Asteraceae. At high soil Cu, Poaceae were again most frequent. Species known to form Cu-tolerant populations, i.e. Agrostis capillaris, A. stolonifera and Rumex acetosella were present. Shoot Cu concentration and accumulation were higher in plants growing in the most contaminated soils. At 2142 mg Cu/kg soil, shoot Cu accumulation peaked at 6 mg Cu/m² in A. capillaris, and its shoot Cu concentration (364 mg Cu/kg dry weight) exceeded the fodder Cu threshold for domestic livestock. In less Cu-contaminated soils some candidates were identified for sustainable phytoremediation with a potential financial return.     

Phytotoxicity dynamics of decaying plant materials

Allelopathic effects of plant litter have been extensively studied, but less attention has been given to the dynamics of phytotoxicity during the decomposition processes. Decomposition experiments were carried out on above- and below-ground plant materials of 25 species of different functional groups (nitrogen fixer, forbs, woody and grasses-sedges) in aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The phytotoxicity of aqueous extracts of decomposing material was assessed by bioassay in 30 d of laboratory and 90 d of litterbag decomposition experiments. Phytotoxicity was widespread with c. 90% of the tested species showing significant phytotoxic releases. Phytotoxicity largely varied between different plant functional groups (nitrogen fixer>forbs=woody>grasses-sedges) and was higher for leaf compared with root materials. In all species tested during decomposition, phytotoxicity rapidly decreased in aerobic conditions but sharply increased and became stable in anaerobic conditions. The results demonstrate an unexpectedly widespread occurrence of phytotoxicity with clear dynamic patterns during the decomposition processes of plant materials. The ecological consequences of this might have been underestimated.     

Phytoaccumulation and tolerance of Riccinus communis L. to nickel

The phytotoxicity due to nickel (Ni) and its accumulation in castor (Ricinus communis L.) plant of Euphorbiaceae family resulting from its addition from low to very high levels to a swell-shrink clayey soil (Haplustert) was studied in a pot culture experiment. Nine levels of Ni (0, 10, 40, 80, 120, 160, 180, 200, 250 mg Ni kg(-1) soil) were applied. Crop was harvested at 45 days after sowing. At the higher Ni levels, beyond 200 mg Ni kg(-1) soil, reduced growth symptom was recorded. The concentration of Ni in plant parts increased with increasing dose of applied Ni. Nickel concentration in castor root ranged from traces (control) to 455 mg kg(-1) and was directly related to soil Ni concentration. At 200 mg Ni kg(-1) soil, dry matter yield of castor reduced to 10% of control plant. Significant changes were observed in the roots of castor treated with higher levels of Ni against control. The roots treated with Ni showed a decrease in number of cells in the cortex region. It also appeared that the cortex region consisted of elongated parenchymatous cells instead of the normal parenchymatous tissue as in the control plant. Regarding Ni accumulation capacity, castor plant was recorded as an accumulator (alpha = 0.11 and beta = 1.10). A laboratory study was also conducted in the experimental soil to know the different operationally defined fractions of Ni, which control the availability of Ni to castor. Different fractions of Ni present in this soil followed this order: Residual > Fe-Mn oxides > carbonate > organic > exchangeable > water soluble. Overall results depict that castor is a promising species which can be used as a potential plant for phytoremediation of contaminated soils and to improve soil quality and provide economical benefits.     

Differential phytotoxicity among species and cultivars of the genus Brassica to wheat

Field and controlled environment studies were conducted to examine the effects of plant stress during growth on the subsequent phytotoxicity of residues ofBrassica napus andBrassica campestris. High temperatures (30°C compared to 15°C day temperature) and short days (8 hours light compared to 16 hours light) increased the phytotoxicity of residues as measured by a wheat bioassay. Low levels of nutrient supply during growth also increased the toxicity of Brassica residues. The effect of water stress was less clear; severe moisture stress resulted in less phytotoxicity than mild water stress. The two species showed some differences in wheat phytotoxicity following applied plant stress and the field experiments suggested there was a potential for greater toxicity from summer grown residues.