Phytoremediation potential of some agricultural plants on heavy metal contaminated mine waste soils,salem district,tamilnadu

The Pot culture experiment performed for phytoextraction potential of selected agricultural plants [millet (Eleusine coracana), mustard (Brassica juncea), jowar (Sorghum bicolor), black gram (Vigna mungo), pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis)] grown in metal contaminated soils around the Salem region, Tamilnadu, India. Physiochemical characterization of soils, reported as low to medium level of N, P, K was found in test soils. The Cr content higher in mine soils than control and the values are 0.176 mg/L in Dalmia soil and 0.049 mg/L in Burn &; Co soil. The germination rate low in mine soil than control soils (25 to 85%). The content of chlorophyll, carotenoid, carbohydrate and protein decreased in mine soils than control. The morphological parameters and biomass values decreased in experimental plants due to metal accumulation. Proline content increased in test plants and ranged from 0.113 mg g^?1 to 0.858 mg g^?1 which indicate the stress condition due to toxicity of metals. Sorghum and black gram plants reported as metal tolerant capacity. Among the plants, Sorghum produced good results (both biomass and biochemical parameters) which equal to control plant and suggests Sorghum plant is an ideal for remediation of metal contaminated soils.     

Cadmium Remediation by Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus–Colonized Celery Plants Supplemented with Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid

A pot trial using Glomus mosseae along with EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) was conducted for the phytoextraction of cadmium (Cd) by celery (Apium graveolens Linn.) plants from soil artificially contaminated with Cd under glass house conditions. The experiment is a 2 × 2 × 4 factorial design with two levels of G. mosseae inoculations (G. mosseae inoculated and uninoculated), two EDTA concentrations (without and with 2.5 mmol kg^?1 soil EDTA) and four Cd concentrations (0, 5, 10, and 20 mg kg^?1 soil). The results indicate the formation of an effective symbiosis between G. mosseae and celery in the contaminated soil. However, an increase in Cd input level and EDTA addition showed strong phytotoxic effect on celery plants and G. mosseae, as a considerable decrease in the frequency of root colonization and spore density was noticed. However, the plants were able to withstand the stressed condition due to the benefits provided by G. mosseae through increased P accumulation, chlorophyll content, and plant growth, resulting in an increase in Cd accumulation, which was good enough for the phytoextraction purpose. Thus, celery plants inoculated with G. mosseae and later supplemented with EDTA could be an effective and potentially suitable practice for the remediation of Cd-contaminated sites.     

Uptake and Bioaccumulation of Pentachlorophenol by Emergent Wetland Plant Phragmites australis (Common Reed) in Cadmium Co-contaminated Soil

Despite many studies on phytoremediation of soils contaminated with either heavy metals or organics, little information is available on the effectiveness of phytoremediation of co-occurring metal and organic pollutants especially by using wetland species. Phragmites australis is a common wetland plant and its potential for phytoremediation of cadmium pentachlorophenol (Cd-PCP) co-contaminated soil was investigated. A greenhouse study was executed to elucidate the effects of Cd (0, 10, and 20 mg kg^?1) without or with PCP (0, 50, and 250 mg kg^?1) on the growth of the wetland plant P. australis and its uptake, accumulation and removal of pollutant from soils. After 75 days, plant biomass was significantly influenced by interaction of Cd and PCP and the effect of Cd on plant growth being stronger than that of PCP. Coexistence of PCP at low level lessened Cd toxicity to plants, resulting in improved plant growth and increased Cd accumulation in plant tissues. The dissipation of PCP in soils was significantly influenced by interactions of Cd, PCP and plant presence or absence. As an evaluation of soil biological activities after remediation soil enzyme was measured.     

Disturbance response indicators of Impatiens walleriana exposed to benzene and chromium

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the remediation potential and disturbance response indicators of Impatiens walleriana exposed to benzene and chromium. Numerous studies over the years have found abundant evidence of the carcinogenicity of benzene and chromium (VI) in humans. Benzene and chromium are two toxic industrial chemicals commonly found together at contaminated sites, and one of the most common management strategies employed in the recovery of sites contaminated by petroleum products and trace metals is in situ remediation. Given that increasing interest has focused on the use of plants as depollution agents, direct injection tests and benzene misting were performed on I. walleriana to evaluate the remediation potential of this species. I. walleriana accumulated hexavalent chromium, mainly in the root system (164.23 mg kg^?1), to the detriment of the aerial part (39.72 mg kg^?1), and presented visible damage only at the highest concentration (30 mg L^?1). Unlike chromium (VI), chromium (III) was retained almost entirely by the soil, leaving it available for removal by phytotechnology. However, after the contamination stopped, I. walleriana responded positively to the detoxification process, recovering its stem stiffness and leaf color. I. walleriana showed visible changes such as leaf chlorosis during the ten days of benzene contamination. When benzene is absorbed by the roots, it is translocated to and accumulated in the plant's aerial part. This mechanism the plant uses ensures its tolerance to the organic compound, enabling the species to survive and reproduce after treatment with benzene. Although I. walleriana accumulates minor amounts of hexavalent chromium in the aerial part, this amount suffices to induce greater oxidative stress and to increase the amount of hydrogen peroxide when compared to that of benzene. It was therefore concluded that I. walleriana is a species that possesses desirable characteristics for phytotechnology.     

Differential Photosynthetic Acclimation Pattern to Limiting Growth-Irradiance in Two Types of C4 Plants

Photosynthetic acclimation to reduced growth irradiances (650 and 200 µmol m^–2 s^–1) in Eleusine coracana (L.) Garten, a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-malic enzyme (NAD-ME) C₄ species and Gomphrena globosa L., a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-malic enzyme (NADP-ME) C₄ species were investigated. E. coracana plants acclimated in 4 and 8 d to 650 and 200 µmol m^–2 s^–1, respectively, whereas G. globosa plants took 8 and 10 d, respectively, to acclimate to the same irradiances. The acclimation to reduced irradiance was achieved in both species by greater partitioning of chlorophyll towards the light-harvesting antennae at the expense of functional components. However, magnitude of increase in the light-harvesting antenna was higher in E. coracana as compared to G. globosa. Superior photosynthetic acclimation to reduced irradiance in G. globosa was due to the smaller change in functions of the cytochrome b ₆/f complex, photosystem (PS) 1 and PS2 leading to the higher carbon fixation rates compared to E. coracana.     

Phytostabilization potential of ornamental plants grown in soil contaminated with cadmium

In a greenhouse experiment, five ornamental plants, Osmanthus fragrans (OF), Ligustrum vicaryi L. (LV), Cinnamomum camphora (CC), Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum (LC), and Euonymus japonicas cv. Aureo-mar (EJ), were studied for the ability to phytostabilization for Cd-contaminated soil. The results showed that these five ornamental plants can grow normally when the soil Cd content is less than 24.6 mg·kg^?1. Cd was mainly deposited in the roots of OF, LV, LC and EJ which have grown in Cd-contaminated soils, and the maximum Cd contents reached 15.76, 19.09, 20.59 and 32.91 mg·kg^?1, respectively. For CC, Cd was mainly distributed in the shoots and the maximum Cd content in stems and leaves were 12.5 and 10.71 mg·kg^?1, however, the total amount of Cd in stems and leaves was similar with the other ornamental plants. The enzymatic activities in Cd-contaminated soil were benefited from the five tested ornamental plants remediation. Soil urease and sucrase activities were improved, while dehydrogenase activity was depressed. Meanwhile, the soil microbial community was slightly influenced when soil Cd content is less than 24.6 mg·kg^?1 under five ornamental plants remediation. The results further suggested that ornamental plants could be promising candidates for phytostabilization of Cd-contaminated soil.     

The long-term variation of Cd and Zn hyperaccumulation by Noccaea spp and Arabidopsis halleri plants in both pot and field conditions

Three Cd and Zn hyperaccumulating plant species Noccaea caerulescens Noccaea praecox and Arabidopsis halleri (Brassicacceae) were cultivated in seven subsequent vegetation seasons in both pot and field conditions in soil highly contaminated with Cd, Pb, and Zn. The results confirmed the hyperaccumulation ability of both plant species, although A. halleri showed lower Cd uptake compared to N. caerulescens. Conversely, Pb phytoextraction was negligible for both species in this case. Because of the high variability in plant yield and element contents in the aboveground biomass of plants, great variation in Cd and Zn accumulation was observed during the experiment. The extraction ability in field conditions varied in the case of Cd from 0.2 to 2.9 kg ha^?1 (N. caerulescens) and up to 0.15 kg ha^?1 (A. halleri), and in the case of Zn from 0.2 to 6.4 kg ha^?1 (N. caerulescens) and up to 13.8 kg.ha^?1 (A. halleri). Taking into account the 20 cm root zone of the soil, the plants were able to extract up to 4.1% Cd and 0.2% Zn in one season. However, cropping measures should be optimized to improve and stabilize the long-term phytoextraction potential of these plants.     

Comparative Evaluation of Metal Phytoremediation Potential of Trees,Grasses, and Flowering Plants from Tannery-Wastewater-Contaminated Soil in Relation with Physicochemical Properties

This study reports a comparative account of metal accumulation in the trees, grasses, and flowering plants from agricultural fields contaminated with tannery wastewater. Soil physico-chemical properties along the pollution gradient and soil depth were analyzed. Monitoring and assessment of the plants growing on contaminated sites revealed that the accumulation of Cr in the aboveground part of the trees ranged from 1.87 to 34.44 μg g^?1 dw with maximum concentration in Dendro-calamus strictus (34.44 μg g^?1 dw). Chrysanthemum coronarium and Tagetes erecta showed better accumulation of Cr than other flowering plants. Separate field experiments were conducted on the contaminated area. The shoots of Vetiveria zizanoides (532 mg 4 m^?2) and Cymbopogan winterianus (535.46 mg 4 m^?2) have shown almost similar removal potential of Cr, with maximum removal potential in the roots of C. winterianus (1206.43 mg 4 m^?2). Seasonal flowering plants (i.e., C. coronarium) have shown better accumulation of Cr than T. erecta. The results indicate that the plants of V. zizanoides, C. coronarium, and C. winterianus are suitable for phytoremediation of contaminated sites and trees can successfully be used for phytostabilization.     

Accumulation of Hydrocarbons by Maize (Zea mays L.) in Remediation of Soils Contaminated with Crude Oil

This study has investigated the use of screened maize for remediation of soil contaminated with crude oil. Pots experiment was carried out for 60 days by transplanting maize seedlings into spiked soils. The results showed that certain amount of crude oil in soil (≤2 147 mg·kg^?1) could enhance the production of shoot biomass of maize. Higher concentration (6 373 mg·kg^?1) did not significantly inhibit the growth of plant maize (including shoot and root). Analysis of plant shoot by GC-MS showed that low molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were detected in maize tissues, but PAHs concentration in the plant did not increase with higher concentration of crude oil in soil. The reduction of total petroleum hydrocarbon in planted soil was up to 52.21–72.84%, while that of the corresponding controls was only 25.85–34.22% in two months. In addition, data from physiological and biochemical indexes demonstrated a favorable adaptability of maize to crude oil pollution stress. This study suggested that the use of maize (Zea mays L.) was a good choice for remediation of soil contaminated with petroleum within a certain range of concentrations.     

Successful phytoremediation of crude-oil contaminated soil at an oil exploration and production company by plants-bacterial synergism

Phytoremediation is a promising approach for the cleanup of soil contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons. This study aimed to develop plant-bacterial synergism for the successful remediation of crude oil-contaminated soil. A consortia of three endophytic bacteria was augmented to two grasses, Leptochloa fusca and Brachiaria mutica, grown in oil-contaminated soil (46.8 g oil kg^?1 soil) in the vicinity of an oil exploration and production company. Endophytes augmentation improved plant growth, crude oil degradation, and soil health. Maximum oil degradation (80%) was achieved with B. mutica plants augmented with the endophytes and it was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the use of plants or bacteria individually. Moreover, endophytes showed more persistence, the abundance and expression of alkB gene in the rhizosphere as well as in the endosphere of the tested plants than in unvegetated soil. A positive relationship (r = 0.70) observed between gene expression and crude oil reduction indicates that catabolic gene expression is important for hydrocarbon mineralization. This investigation showed that the use of endophytes with appropriate plant is an effective strategy for the cleanup of oil-contaminated soil under field conditions.     

Screening of Indigenous Ornamental Species from Different Plant Families for Pb Accumulation Potential Exposed to Metal Gradient in Spiked Soils

Contamination of surface soils with lead (Pb) is a global concern due to the release of hazardous materials containing the metal element. In order to explore ways to remediate contaminated soils with less impact on environment and costs, this study aimed at screening ornamental plant species exposed to Pb gradient in spiked soils for Pb phytoextraction. Twenty-one ornamental plant species that currently grow in Pakistan, were selected to assess their potential for Pb accumulation. Pot experiments were conducted to evaluate the accumulative properties of the different plant species in unspiked control (Pb = 0) and spiked soils with different levels of Pb at 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 mg Pb kg^?1 of soil. Biotranslocation factor (TF), Enrichment factor (EF) and Bioconcentration factor (CF) were calculated to assess the phytoremediation potential of tested plant species after seven weeks of exposure. Out of 21 plant species, Pelargonium hortorum and Mesembryanthemum criniflorum performed better and accumulated more than 1000 mg Pb kg^?1 of shoot dry biomass when they were grown in 500, 1000 and 1500 mg Pb kg^?1 contaminated soils. Both plants had no significant (P < 0.05) variation in the total dry biomass with increasing soil Pb concentration indicating a high tolerance to Pb. Considering the capacity of Pb accumulation, total dry biomass, TF, EF &; CF indices, Pelargonium hortorum and Mesembryanthemum criniflorum could be considered as Pb hyperaccumulators and could have the potential to be used in phytoremediation.     

Phytoremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated saline-alkali soil by wild ornamental Iridaceae species

As a green remediation technology, phytoremediation is becoming one of the most promising methods for treating petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs)-contaminated soil. Pot culture experiments were conducted in this study to investigate phytoremediation potential of two representative Iridaceae species (Iris dichotoma Pall. and Iris lactea Pall.) in remediation of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated saline-alkali soil from the Dagang Oilfield in Tianjin, China. The results showed that I. lactea was more endurable to extremely high concentration of PHCs (about 40,000 mg/kg), with a relatively high degradation rate of 20.68%.The degradation rate of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) in soils contaminated with 10,000 and 20,000 mg/kg of PHCs was 30.79% and 19.36% by I. dichotoma, and 25.02% and 19.35% by I. lactea, respectively, which improved by 10–60% than the unplanted controls. The presence of I. dichotoma and I. lactea promoted degradation of PHCs fractions, among which saturates were more biodegradable than aromatics. Adaptive specialization was observed within the bacterial community. In conclusion, phytoremediation by I. dichotoma should be limited to soils contaminated with ≤20,000 mg/kg of PHCs, while I. lactea could be effectively applied to phytoremediation of contaminated soils by PHCs with at least 40,000 mg/kg.     

Using Contaminated Plants Involved in Phytoremediation for Anaerobic Digestion

This study investigated the anaerobic digestion capability of five plants and the effects of copper (Cu) and S,S’-ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid (EDDS, a chelator widely used in chelant-assisted phytoremediation) on biogas production to determine a feasible disposal method for plants used in remediation. The results showed that in addition to Phytolacca americana L., plants such as Zea mays L., Brassica napus L., Elsholtzia splendens Nakai ex F. Maekawa, and Oenothera biennis L. performed well in biogas production. Among these, O. biennis required the shortest period to finish anaerobic digestion. Compared to normal plants with low Cu content, the plants used in remediation with increased Cu levels (100 mg kg^?1) not only promoted anaerobic digestion and required a shorter anaerobic digestion time, but also increased the methane content in biogas. When the Cu content in plants increased to 500, 1000, and 5000 mg kg^?1, the cumulative biogas production decreased by 12.3%, 14.6%, and 41.2%, respectively. Studies also found that EDDS conspicuously restrained biogas production from anaerobic digestion. The results suggest that anaerobic digestion has great potential for the disposal of contaminated plants and may provide a solution for the resource utilization of plants used in remediation.     

Remediation and Safe Production of cd Contaminated Soil Via Multiple Cropping Hyperaccumulator Solanum nigrum L. and Low Accumulation Chinese Cabbage

Multiple crop experiment of hyperaccumulator Solanum nigrum L. with low accumulation Chinese cabbage Fenyuanxin 3 were conducted in a cadmium (Cd) contaminated vegetable field. In the first round, the average removal rate of S. nigrum to Cd was about 10% without assisted phytoextraction reagent addition for the top soil (0–20 cm) with Cd concentration at 0.53–0.97 mg kg^?1 after its grew 90 days. As for assisted phytoextraction reagent added plots, efficiency of Cd remediation might reach at 20%. However, in the second round, Cd concentration in Chinese cabbage was edible, even in the plots with assisted phytoextraction reagent added. Thus, multiple cropping hyperaccumulator with low accumulation crop could normally remediate contaminated soil and produce crop (obtain economic benefit) in one year, which may be one practical pathway of phytoremediating heavy metal contaminated soil in the future.     

Phytoremediation of Wastewater with Limnocharis Flava,Thalia Geniculata and Typha Latifolia in Constructed Wetlands

Phytoremediation is thought to be the most sustainable wastewater treatment option for developing countries. However, its application is often limited by unavailability of suitable candidate species. In the present study, the potentials of Limnocharis flava, Thalia geniculata and Typha latifolia for remediation of heavy metal contaminated wastewater with a constructed wetland system were evaluated. The wetland consisted of three treatment lines each planted with sufficient and equal number of a species. Duplicate plant and water samples were collected bi-monthly and analyzed for Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Hg using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer over a six month period. Bioaccumulation rates generally increased over time and varied among plants for these metals, with Fe (456–1549 mg kg¹ roots; 20–183 mg kg^?1 shoot) being the most sequestered and Pb (1.2–7.6 mg kg^?1 roots; 1.55–3.95 mg kg^?1 shoot) the least. Translocation factors differed among the species but generally remained stable over time. L. flava showed potential for hyperaccumulating Hg. Removal efficiencies varied for the studied metals (～ 20–77 %) and were generally related to metal uptake by the plants. These results demonstrate the suitability of the species for phytoremediation, and the usefulness of the technique as an option for improving irrigation water quality in Ghana.

Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of International Journal of Phytoremediation to view the supplemental file.     

Leguminous plants nodulated by selected strains of Cupriavidus necator grow in heavy metal contaminated soils amended with calcium silicate

Increasing concern regarding mining area environmental contamination with heavy metals has resulted in an emphasis of current research on phytoremediation. The aim of the present study was to assess the efficiency of symbiotic Cupriavidus necator strains on different leguminous plants in soil contaminated with heavy metals following the application of inorganic materials. The application of limestone and calcium silicate induced a significant increase in soil pH, with reductions in zinc and cadmium availability of 99 and 94 %, respectively. In addition, improved nodulation of Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia, Leucaena leucocephala and Mimosa pudica in soil with different levels of contamination was observed. Significant increases in the nitrogen content of the aerial parts of the plant were observed upon nodulation of the root system of Leucaena leucocephala and Mimosa pudica by strain UFLA01-659 (36 and 40 g kg^?1) and by strain UFLA02-71 in Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia (39 g kg^?1). The alleviating effect of calcium silicate resulted in higher production of dry matter from the aerial part of the plant, an increase in nodule number and an increase in the nitrogen fixation rate. The results of the present study demonstrate that the combination of rhizobia, leguminous plants and calcium silicate may represent a key factor in the remediation of areas contaminated by heavy metals.     

Cadmium Removal Potential from Contaminated Soil by Tagetes erecta L. and Panicum maximum: Influence of Soil pH

The potential for cadmium (Cd) removal from contaminated soil by two species—marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) and Guinea grass (Panicum maximum)—was investigated in pot culture experiments in a greenhouse in triplicate. The concentration of Cd was varied from 50 to 200 mg kg^?1 and the pH was varied from 5.0 to 7.5 to investigate the effect of pH on Cd uptake. The results showed that total biomass of Guinea grass was around nine and seven times higher than that of marigold for Cd treatments of 50 and 100 mg kg^?1 at pH 5.0, respectively. Total cadmium uptake at Cd treatments of 50 and 100 mg kg^?1 at pH 5.0 by Guinea grass was 19.28 ± 3.14 and 36.06 ± 4.28 mg kg^?1, respectively, and for marigold was 15.66 ± 4.17 and 20.38 ± 3.24 mg kg^?1, respectively. The total Cd uptake by Guinea grass was 1.23 and 1.77 higher than that of marigold at Cd treatments of 50 and 100 mg kg^?1, respectively, at pH 5.0 due to higher biomass. The maximum Cd uptake by marigold and Guinea grass occurred at pH 5.0 at Cd treatment of 100 mg kg^?1. The results clearly show that the two species behave very differently for Cd uptake. Guinea grass is easy to grow, drought tolerant and, due to its higher biomass, it can be used for remediation of Cd-contaminated soil.     

Phytoremediation of heavy metal contaminated soil potential by woody plants on Tonglushan ancient copper spoil heap in China

Fast-growing metal-accumulating woody plants are considered potential candidates for phytoremediation of metals. Tonglushan mining, one of the biggest Cu production bases in China, presents an important source of the pollution of environment. The sample was collected at Tonglushan ancient copper spoil heap. The aims were to measure the content of heavy metal in the soil and woody plants and to elucidate the phytoremediation potential of the plants. The result showed that soil Cu, Cd and Pb were the main contamination, the mean contents of which were 3166.73 mg/kg, 3.66 mg/kg and 137.06 mg/kg respectively, which belonged to severe contamination. Fourteen species from 14 genera of 13 families were collected and investigated; except for Ligutrum lucidum, the other 13 woody plants species were newly recorded in this area. In addition, to assess the ability of metal accumulation of these trees, we proposed accumulation index. Data suggested that Platanus × acerilolia, Broussonetia papyrifera, Ligutrum lucidum, Viburnum awabuki, Firmiana simplex, Robina pseudoacacia, Melia azedarach and Osmanthus fragrans exhibited high accumulated capacity and strong tolerance to heavy metals. Therefore, Platanus × acerilolia and Broussonetia papyrifera can be planted in Pb contaminated areas; Viburnum awabuki, Firmiana simplex, Robina pseudoacacia and Melia azedarach are the suitable trees for Cd contaminated areas; Viburnum awabuki, Melia azedarach, Ligutrum lucidum, Firmiana simplex, Osmanthus fragrans and Robina pseudoacacia are appropriate to Cu, Pb and Cd multi-metal contaminated areas.     

Co-Planting Cd Contaminated Field Using Hyperaccumulator Solanum Nigrum L. Through Interplant with Low Accumulation Welsh Onion

Monoculture and intercrop of hyperaccumulator Solanum nigrum L. with low accumulation Welsh onion Renbentieganchongwang were conducted. The results showed that the remove ratio of S. nigrum to Cd was about 7% in intercrop plot when top soil (0–20 cm) Cd concentration was 0.45–0.62 mg kg^?1, which did not significantly impact the yield of low accumulation Welsh onion compared to the monoculture. The consistency of remove ratio in practice and theory indicated the remediation of S. nigrum to Cd was significant. The Cd concentration and yield of Welsh onion were not affected by the growth of S. nigrum either in intercrop plot. The Cd concentration in edible parts of Welsh onion was available either. In short, inter-planting hyperaccumulator with low accumulation crop could normally remediate contaminated soil and produce crop (obtain economic benefit), which may be one practical pathway of phytoremediating heavy metal contaminated soil in the future.     

METAL UPTAKE AND ALLOCATION IN TREES GROWN ON CONTAMINATED LAND: IMPLICATIONS FOR BIOMASS PRODUCTION

Phytostabilization aims to reduce environmental and health risks arising from contaminated soil. To be economically attractive, plants used for phytostabilization should produce valuable biomass. This study investigated the biomass production and metal allocation to foliage and wood of willow (Salix viminalis L.), poplar (Populus monviso), birch (Betula pendula), and oak (Quercus robur) on five different soils contaminated with trace elements (TE), with varying high concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb as well as an uncontaminated control soil. In the treatment soils, the biomass was reduced in all species except oak. There was a significant negative correlation between biomass and foliar Cd and Zn concentrations, reaching up to 15 mg Cd kg^?1 and 2000 mg Zn kg ^?1 in willow leaves. Lead was the only TE with higher wood than foliage concentrations. The highest Pb accumulation occurred in birch with up to 135 mg kg ^?1 in wood and 78 mg kg ^?1 in foliage. Birch could be suitable for phytostabilization of soils with high Cd and Zn but low Pb concentrations, while poplars and willows could be used to stabilise soils with high Cu and Pb and low Zn and Cd concentrations.