Reduction of heavy metal load in food chain: technology assessment

Industrialization and urbanization activities lead to extensive environmental problems and one of the most challenging problems is heavy metal contamination. Heavy metal is responsible for causing adverse effect on human health through food chain contamination. To minimize the effect, different methods are being used for decreasing heavy metal load into the food chain. Most of the traditional methods are either extremely costly or it simply isolate the contaminated site. A promising, relatively new technology for removal of heavy metal from contaminated sites is phytoremediation. There are numerous crops such as sunflower (Helianthus annus), maize (Zea mays), mustard (Brassica compestris), barley (Hordeum vulgare), beet (Beta vulgaris), bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia), brinjal (Solanum melongena), cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis), chilli (Capsicum annum), coriander (Coriandrum sativum), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), garlic (Alium sativum), ivy gourd (Coccinia indica), lufa (Luffa acutangula), lady’s finger (Abelmoschus esculentus), mint (Mentha piperata), radish (Raphanus sativus), spinach (Spinacia oleracea), tomato (Lycopersicom esculentum), and white gourd (Lagenaria vulgaris) used for remediation of heavy metal. The efficiency of the phytoremediation crops depends upon their biomass production and ability of metal accumulation in their harvestable organs. In addition to this there are some biotechnological approaches for enhancing the property of hyper accumulator plant for metal remediation. Various potential remediation techniques are available that can be used to reduce the heavy metal contamination. Research related to relatively new technology should be promoted and emphasized and expanded in developing countries where heavy metal pollution has already touched alarming level. In the above context present review deals with different approaches to reduce the availability of heavy metal from soil to plants.     

Phytoremediation—A Novel and Promising Approach for Environmental Clean-up

ABSTRACT

Phytoremediation is an eco friendly approach for remediation of contaminated soil and water using plants. Phytoremediation is comprised of two components, one by the root colonizing microbes and the other by plants themselves, which degrade the toxic compounds to further non-toxic metabolites. Various compounds, viz. organic compounds, xenobiotics, pesticides and heavy metals, are among the contaminants that can be effectively remediated by plants. Plant cell cultures, hairy roots and algae have been studied for their ability to degrade a number of contaminants. They exhibit various enzymatic activities for degradation of xenobiotics, viz. dehalogenation, denitrification leading to breakdown of complex compounds to simple and non-toxic products. Plants and algae also have the ability to hyper accumulate various heavy metals by the action of phytochelatins and metallothioneins forming complexes with heavy metals and translocate them into vacuoles. Molecular cloning and expression of heavy metal accumulator genes and xenobiotic degrading enzyme coding genes resulted in enhanced remediation rates, which will be helpful in making the process for large-scale application to remediate vast areas of contaminated soils. A few companies worldwide are also working on this aspect of bioremediation, mainly by transgenic plants to replace expensive physical or chemical remediation techniques. Selection and testing multiple hyperaccumulator plants, protein engineering of phytochelatin and membrane transporter genes and their expression would enhance the rate of phytoremediation, making this process a successful one for bioremediation of environmental contamination. Recent years have seen major investments in the R&D, which have also resulted in competition of filing patents by several companies for economic gains. The details of science & technology related to phytoremediation have been discussed with a focus on future trends and prospects of global relevance.     

Heavy metals accumulation and distribution in durum wheat and barley grown in contaminated soils under Mediterranean field conditions

Abstract

In the framework of a phytoremediation project in the Apulia region (Italy) a field experiment was carried out in multi-metal contaminated soils. The accumulation and distribution of metals in different plant parts of durum wheat and barley were studied. Further, the application of Bacillus licheniformis strain BLMB1 to soil was evaluated as a means to enhance metal accumulation in plants. The translocation and the bioconcentration factors indicated that wheat and barley do not act as metal accumulators in the field conditions tested, thus phytoextraction by these species would not be recommended as a soil remediation alternative. Application of B. licheniformis improved the accumulation of all metals in roots of wheat and barley, and increased Cd, Cr, and Pb contents in the shoots of barley. Low health risk for humans and animals was evaluated to exist if straw and grain from both cereal crops grown in these contaminated sites are consumed.     

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.     

Utilization of Multi-Tasking Non-Edible Plants for Phytoremediation and Bioenergy Source-A Review

Heavy metal contamination of land and freshwater resources is a serious concern worldwide. It adversely affects the health of animals, plants and humans. Therefore, remediation of toxic heavy metals must be highly considered. Unlike other techniques, phytoremediation is a holistic technology and can be used in large scale for soil remediation as it is costless, novel, environmentally-safe and solar-driven technology. Utilization of non-edible plants in phytoremediation is an ingenious technique as they are used to generate new bioenergy resources along with the remediation of contaminated soils. Some nonfood bioenergy crops such as Salix species, Miscanthus species, Populus species, Eucalyptus species, and Ricinus communis exhibit high capability to accumulate various metals and to grow in contaminated lands. However, there are still sustainable challenges facing coupling phytoremediation with bioenergy production from polluted lands. Therefore, there has long been a need for developing different strategies to resolve such challenges. In this article review, we will discuss the phytoremediation mechanism, the technique of phytoremediation coupling with bioenergy production, sustainable problems facing linking phytoremediation with energy production as well as possible strategies to enhance the efficiency of bioenergy plants for soil decontamination by improving their characteristics such as metal uptake, transport, accumulation, and tolerance.     

重金属污染的转基因植物修复——原理与应用

污染环境的植物修复技术具有成本低、不造成二次污染等优点。从自然界中寻找用于污染环境修复的超富积植物不仅难度大 ,而且受生物量、生长周期以及地理环境等因素的限制。近几年迅速发展起来的通过转基因植物进行污染环境的修复技术显示了广阔的应用前景。外源基因在植物的高效表达可以提高植物吸收、运输、降解污染物的能力以及修复的效率 ,并可以作为研究不同污染物修复机理的实验系统。以转基因植物修复几种主要的重金属污染为例 ,介绍了转基因植物修复的原理、现状及存在问题 ,并探讨了提高转基因植物修复效率的一些方法 。     

丛枝菌根在植物修复重金属污染土壤中的作用

丛枝菌根（Arbuscular mycorrhizae,AM）是自然界中分布最广的一类菌根,AM真菌能与陆地上绝大多数的高等植物共生,常见于包括重金属污染土壤在内的各种生境中。在重金属污染条件下,AM真菌可以减轻重金属对植物的毒害,影响植物对重金属的吸收和转运,在重金属污染土壤的植物修复中显示出极大的应用潜力。重点介绍了AM真菌对植物重金属耐性的影响及其在植物提取和植物稳定中的应用等方面的进展,讨论了未来研究所面临的任务和挑战。     

高生物量经济植物修复重金属污染土壤研究进展

植物修复是重金属污染土壤修复的重要方法之一。利用高生物量经济植物修复重金属污染土壤,能够兼顾生态和经济效益,具有很大的应用前景。本文系统分析了植物修复现状及存在的问题,提出利用高生物量经济植物修复重金属污染土壤的优势,总结了近年来利用高生物量经济植物吸收重金属的研究进展,探讨了改善高生物量经济植物修复重金属污染土壤效率的方法,以期为提高植物修复经济效益、促进植物修复广泛应用提供参考。     

Ecological strategy for soil contaminated with mercury

Aims

The paper presents results from plot experiments aimed at the development of an ecological strategy for soil contaminated with mercury. Meadow grass (Poa pratensis) was tested on mercury contaminated soil in a former chlor-alkali plant (CAP) in southern Poland for its phytoremediation potential.

Methods

The stabilisation potential of the plants was investigated on plots without additives and after the addition of granular sulphur. Biomass production, uptake and distribution of mercury by plants, as well as leachates and rhizosphere microorganisms were investigated, along with the growth and vitality of plants during one growing season.

Results

The analysed plants grew easily on mercury contaminated soil, accumulating lower amounts of mercury, especially in the roots, from soil with additive of granular sulphur (0.5 % w/w) and sustained a rich microbial population in the rhizosphere. After amendment application the reduction of Hg evaporation was observed.

Conclusions

The obtained results demonstrate the potential of using Poa pratensis and sulphur for remediation of mercury contaminated soil and reduction of the Hg evaporation from soil. In the presented study, methods of Hg reduction on “hot spots” were proposed, with a special focus on environmental protection. This approach provides a simple remediation tool for large areas heavily contaminated with mercury.

     

重金属污染的植物修复及相关分子机制

随着近代工业的发展,土壤重金属污染问题日益严重。重金属即使在极低浓度下仍然可以对人畜造成健康上的威胁,因此迫切需要有效的修复方法对土壤进行修复。生物修复,特别是植物修复目前已经成为重金属污染修复的重要手段之一,了解相关植物的重金属解毒和积累分子机制是提高修复效率、解决重金属污染问题的基础。文中以土壤修复方式为起点,结合植物吸收积累重金属以及解毒的相关分子机制研究,探讨了植物修复的发展现状以及趋势。     

Phytoremediation of heavy metals and nutrients by the Sagittaria montevidensis into an anthropogenic contaminated site at Southern of Brazil

Abstract

The evaluation of plants occurring naturally at contaminated environments are essential for applying this species in remediation techniques. In this context, the Sagittaria montevidensis with potential for phytoremediation was studied at an anthropogenic polluted stream in southern Brazil. The nutrients and heavy metal content were determined in the phytomass. The phytoremediation indexes were evaluated such as bioconcentration factor (BCF), translocation factor (TF), plant effective number (PEN), and potential phytoremoval (mg m^?2). The S. montevidensis was then detected as presenting natural phytoextraction ability for potassium and calcium elements and also demonstrated rhizofiltration potential for phosphorus, manganese, aluminum, vanadium, sulfur, iron, arsenic, copper, magnesium, zinc, sodium, lead, cadmium, nickel, chromium, considering its ability of bioaccumulating these contaminants and retain high levels in the roots. The highest potential for bioremoval (mg m^?2) of the S. montevidensis was detected for potassium and calcium (recommending thus the use for phytoextraction) and for aluminum, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, sulfur, and sodium, along with heavy metals (recommended for rhizofiltration). The S. montevidensis decontamination ability, along with its biomass production and its adaptability represents a great advance in order to the recovery of this degraded area and possible application in other contaminated watercourses in Brazil.     

Advances in Cotton Tolerance to Heavy Metal Stress and Applications to Remediate Heavy Metal-Contaminated Farmland Soil

Heavy metal-contaminated soil is one of the major environmental pollution problems of agricultural production and human health in the world. Remediation of heavy metals in soil is one of the most popular research subjects. Different remediation strategies have been reported to remove heavy metals from contaminated soil, among which phytoremediation is the most important one. Compared with other major crops, cotton shows the strongest and most widespread resistance to abiotic stresses, such as heavy metals. Although heavy metal stress adversely affects the growth and development of cotton, cotton possesses a set of sophisticated stress-resistance strategies. As the main product of cotton is nonedible fibers, which have a large biomass and strong heavy metal absorption and enrichment capacities, cotton is an ideal crop to restore heavy metal-contaminated soils and has unique advantages in terms of both ecological and economic benefits, with great application prospects. In this review, based on domestic and foreign research results in recent years, the effects of heavy metals on cotton growth and product quality were analyzed, the heavy metal absorption, accumulation, translocation and enrichment characteristics of cotton plants were summarized, and the adaptation and tolerance mechanisms of cotton to heavy metals were explored. Furthermore, the view that cotton is an effective crop to remediate heavy metal pollution in farmland soil has been proposed, and popularization and application suggestions for planting cotton to repair heavy metal pollution have been put forward to provide a reference for the comprehensive evaluation of the economic feasibility of cotton to repair heavy metal pollution in farmland soil.     

Predicted metal binding sites for phytoremediation

Metal ion binding domains are found in proteins that mediate transport, buffering or detoxification of metal ions. The objective of the study is to design and analyze metal binding motifs against the genes involved in phytoremediation. This is being done on the basis of certain pre-requisite amino-acid residues known to bind metal ions/metal complexes in medicinal and aromatic plants (MAP''s). Earlier work on MAP''s have shown that heavy metals accumulated by aromatic and medicinal plants do not appear in the essential oil and that some of these species are able to grow in metal contaminated sites. A pattern search against the UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot and UniProtKB/TrEMBL databases yielded true positives in each case showing the high specificity of the motifs designed for the ions of nickel, lead, molybdenum, manganese, cadmium, zinc, iron, cobalt and xenobiotic compounds. Motifs were also studied against PDB structures. Results of the study suggested the presence of binding sites on the surface of protein molecules involved. PDB structures of proteins were finally predicted for the binding sites functionality in their respective phytoremediation usage. This was further validated through CASTp server to study its physico-chemical properties. Bioinformatics implications would help in designing strategy for developing transgenic plants with increased metal binding capacity. These metal binding factors can be used to restrict metal update by plants. This helps in reducing the possibility of metal movement into the food chain.     

A review on remediation technologies for nickel-contaminated soil

Abstract

With the rapid pace of industrialization and urbanization, the environmental safety of soil is a worldwide concern. In China alone, one-fifth of the arable land is reported to be contaminated with heavy metals including nickel. In this review, current research on nickel remediation, specifically the various remediation technologies including physical and chemical remediation methods, such as immobilization, soil washing, encapsulation, soil replacement, and electrokinetic methods; phytoremediation; and bioremediation, is summarized. Further, the mechanisms underlying the presented remediation technologies, along with their advantages and disadvantages, are discussed. The lacunae in available technologies for nickel remediation are also briefly discussed. The review concludes with a scheme for successful soil remediation.     

Phytoremediation efficiency OF CD by Eucalyptus globulus transplanted from polluted and unpolluted sites

The capacity of plants to uptake heavy metals from contaminated soils has shown great phytoremediation potential. The development, resistibility and Cd extraction of Eucalyptus globulus individuals from metalliferous and clean sites in different years were analyzed under a specific environment. Eucalyptus globulus planted in Guiyu for phytoremediation or cultivated in an uncontaminated, natural environment for economic purposes were transplanted to Yuecheng town, which, in recent years, has been involved in the e-waste dismantling and recycling business, to compare the phytoremediation efficiency of Eucalyptus globulus trees grown in different environments. Trees cultivated in polluted areas can remove far more Cd and Hg from the contaminated soil than the individuals from clean soils because metalliferous Eucalyptus globulus can produce more biomass and uptake more heavy metals than nonmetalliferous plants per year. As polluted environments negatively affect the growth of plants, we speculated that the phytoremediation efficiency of metalliferous Eucalyptus globulus should decrease over time and that nonmetalliferous trees should adapt to the local environment.     

基于文献计量的细菌-生物炭协同修复重金属污染土壤研究进展

为提高重金属污染土壤可持续修复效能,研究生物炭与细菌对重金属污染土壤的协同修复作用。基于文献计量学分析及重金属污染土壤修复背景,总结了细菌与生物炭对土壤重金属的稳定化特征及菌炭间的相互作用,分析了单一生物炭或细菌对重金属污染土壤修复的局限性,强调了细菌-生物炭协同修复技术的优势,阐述了细菌与生物炭主要通过离子交换、固定作用、氧化还原作用和迁移作用等重要机制有效修复重金属污染土壤,揭示了细菌-生物炭协同作用在重金属污染土壤修复中的巨大应用价值。文献计量学研究表明,生物炭与细菌对重金属污染土壤的协同修复已得到广泛关注。目前认为:生物炭与细菌的协同作用可有效改良土壤理化性质及提高土壤修复效率,也可促进植物生长及植物修复进程;生物炭对细菌影响具有双重性质,可促进细菌生长,也可能对细菌产生毒害;细菌可改变生物炭的理化性质,进而强化生物炭的重金属固定性能;细菌协同生物炭联合修复重金属污染土壤过程中,生物炭主导吸附和固定,细菌则发挥活化和解毒等功能;优化细菌-生物炭组合形式,发展混合细菌与多种类生物炭协同技术,是复合重金属污染土壤可持续修复亟待解决的重要问题;进一步揭示细菌与生物炭对重金属污染土壤的耦合作用及长效作用机制,规避生物炭生产和应用中的潜在生态健康风险,研发新型高效能细菌与生物炭复合体是细菌协同生物炭可持续修复重金属污染土壤应用领域面临的挑战。     

Long-term field phytoextraction of zinc/cadmium contaminated soil by Sedum plumbizincicola under different agronomic strategies

In two long-term field experiments the zinc (Zn)/cadmium (Cd) hyperaccumulator Sedum plumbizincicola (S. plumbizincicola) was examined to optimize the phytoextraction of metal contaminated soil by two agronomic strategies of intercropping with maize (Zea mays) and plant densities. Soil total Zn and Cd concentrations decreased markedly after long-term phytoextraction. But shoot biomass and Cd and Zn concentrations showed no significant difference with increasing remediation time. In the intercropping experiment the phytoremediation efficiency in the treatment “S. plumbizincicola intercropped with maize” was higher than in S. plumbizincicola monocropping, and Cd concentrations of corn were below the maximum national limit. In the plant density experiment the phytoremediation efficiency increased with increasing plant density and 440,000 plants ha^?1 gave the maximum rate. These results indicated that S. plumbizincicola at an appropriate planting density and intercropped with maize can achieve high remediation efficiency to contaminated soil without affecting the cereal crop productivity. This cropping system combines adequate agricultural production with soil heavy metal phytoextraction.     

环境重金属污染的植物修复及基因工程在其中的应用

随着工业技术的发展,重金属在土壤和水体中的含量越来越高,重金属污染已日益成为威胁人类健康和人类生活质量的严重的社会问题和环境问题。植物修复可部分解决这一问题且正引起人们的普遍关注。但现在发现许多用于修复的超量积累植物生长缓慢、植株矮小、地上部生物量小,成了实际应用中的最大限制。利用基因工程手段改变植物对重金属吸收、转运、积累和忍耐的机制,从而提高植物对重金属的富集能力,将成为今后植物修复领域研究的一个重要方向。     

Chemical and Biological Parameters as Tools to Evaluate and Improve Heavy Metal Phytoremediation

In this review, chemical and biological parameters are discussed thatstrongly influence the speciation of heavy metals, their availability tobiological systems and, consequently, the possibilities to usebioremediation as a cleanup tool for heavy metal polluted sites. In orderto assess heavy metal availability, a need exists for rapid, cost-effectivesystems that reliably predict this parameter and, based on this, thefeasibility of using biological remediation techniques for site managementand restoration. Special attention is paid to phytoremediation as anemerging technology for stabilization and remediation of heavy metalpollution. In order to improve phytoremediation of heavy metal pollutedsites, several important points relevant to the process have to beelucidated. These include the speciation and bioavailability of the heavymetals in the soil determined by many chemical and biological parameters,the role of plant-associated soil microorganisms and fungi inphytoremediation, and the plants. Several options are described how plant-associated soil microorganisms canbe used to improve heavy metal phytoremediation.     

解磷微生物修复土壤重金属污染研究进展

土壤重金属污染问题日益严重,具有普遍性、隐蔽性、表聚性、不可逆性等特点,已经成为环境污染治理中的热点、难点问题。解磷微生物能够依靠自身的代谢产物或通过与其他生物的协同作用,将土壤中的难溶性磷转化为可供植物吸收利用的磷,具有多重植物促生长功能和重金属解毒能力,可在重金属毒害水平下,促进植物生长、提高植物抗病能力、克服重金属对植物生长的不利影响,从而增强重金属修复植物的生存竞争力。从解磷微生物的研究现状入手,介绍了解磷微生物对土壤重金属污染的修复能力,综述了解磷微生物对土壤重金属污染修复的作用机制,分析了目前解磷微生物在重金属修复过程中存在的问题,并提出了今后研究的方向,为重金属污染土壤的修复提供了新思路。