Lead accumulation and distribution in maize seedlings: Relevance to biomass production and metal phytoextraction

Among trace metals, lead is a highly toxic contaminant, being hazardous to humans and animals. Application of maize plants for phytoremediation of polluted soils and waters has recently been of particular interest. The aim of this work is to investigate the Pb-phytoextraction potential of the maize cv. Tzariza used widely in Eastern European agriculture. Maize seedlings were exposed in a nutrient solution to 1–10000 µM of Pb²⁺ for 21 days. Lead accumulated mostly in conductive tissues and shoots at 0.1 mM and higher concentrations of Pb in growth medium. Pb at concentrations of 1 and 10 mM caused an increase in the superoxide anion level and the catalase activity in maize leaves. Lead ions were tolerable to maize seedlings within a concentration range up to 1000 µM of Pb^2+. The levels of lead in the nutrient solution above 1 mM resulted in inhibition of the growth of axial organs, decrease in leaf area, inhibition of water absorption, and reduction in accumulation of biomass. Theoretical considerations indicate that in the temperate climates of the phytoremediation with maize may allow annual removal up to 90 kg of Pb per km², depending on the initial level of soil contamination.     

Microemulsion‐mediated removal of residual gasoline from soil columns

In situ pumping of micellular solutions of surfactant (S) and cosurfactant (CoS) in water (W) through contaminated soils or aquifers offers potential for enhanced remediation of residual nonaqueous‐phase liquids (NAPLs). Extremely low interfacial tension generated between a W/S/CoS mixture and residual NAPL in soil pores may initially mobilize the NAPL, which is then transported temporarily as a separate phase by immiscible displacement. The NAPL is then solubilized by micro‐emulsification as the W/S/CoS mixture forms a stable W/S/CoS/NAPL micro‐emulsion that undergoes miscible displacement through the pore space. This remediation technique was tested under laboratory conditions by sequentially flushing a saline solution and a W/S/CoS mixture through columns of a sandy soil recently contaminated with residual leaded gasoline (LG). Prior to the flushings, the soil was initially contaminated by applying a W/S/CoS/LG microemulsion. A simple conceptual transport model with kinetic clogging of soil pores adequately described breakthrough curves for gasoline and organolead in the soil columns.     

Long-Term Persistence of Spent Lead Shot in Tundra Wetlands

ABSTRACT We seeded experimental plots with number 4 lead pellets and sampled these plots for 10 years to assess the settlement rate of pellets in tundra wetland types commonly used by foraging waterfowl. After 10 years, about 10% of pellets remained within 6 cm of the surface, but >50% remained within 10 cm. We predict that spent lead pellets will eventually become unavailable to waterfowl; however, it will likely require >25 years for all pellets to exceed depths at which waterfowl species may forage.     

Effects of Plant Residue and Salinity on Fractions of Cadmium and Lead in Three Soils

Bioavailability and mobility of heavy metals (HMs) in soils are determined by their partitioning between solution and solid-phase and their further redistribution among solid-phase components. A study was undertaken to determine the effects of organic matter (OM) and salinity on cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) distribution among soil fractions. Three agricultural soils were treated with 20 mg Cd/kg as Cd (NO₃)₂·4H₂O, 150 mg Pb/kg as Pb (NO₃)₂, 20 g/kg alfalfa powder, and 50 mmol/kg of NaCl, and then incubated at 60% water holding capacity (60% WHC) and constant temperature (25°C) for 12 weeks. Various fractions of Cd and Pb were extracted from the soils after 2 and 12 w of incubation using a sequential extraction technique. Results showed that in the early stage of incubation (2 w), added Pb were found mainly in the specifically sorbed (SS) and amorphous Fe oxides (AFeO) fractions and added Cd found in SS and Mn oxides (MnO) fractions. Addition of 2% OM decreased the exchangeable (EXC) Pb fraction almost in all soils, whereas it had a different effect on the EXC Cd fraction depending on soil pH. Addition of NaCl increased the EXC Cd fraction in two soils, but it did not alter Pb fractions. At the end of the incubation period, Pb decreased in the EXC and MnO fractions except in the neutral soil and Cd decreased mainly in the SS fraction.     

出芽短梗霉菌JB16铅镉吸附特性的研究北大核心

【目的】本文对污染土壤中的耐重金属菌株进行分离鉴定,研究菌株在不同条件下对吸附铅镉的影响因素。【方法】通过生理生化特征及ITS序列分析确定菌株种属,采用平板划线法确定最大耐铅镉浓度并探究菌株吸附的最佳条件;通过准二级动力学、Langmuir和Freundlich等温吸附的模型及红外光谱探究吸附过程。【结果】菌落形态和ITS序列分析鉴定表明,筛选分离的JB16为出芽短梗霉菌(Aureobasidium pullulans),最大耐铅浓度达1500 mg/L,最大耐镉浓度达750 mg/L,最大耐铅镉混合浓度达1500 mg/L和300 mg/L。通过单因素实验(温度、时间、菌龄、pH、湿菌体浓度和初始重金属浓度)得出结论,在温度30℃、时间2 h、菌龄72 h、pH 6、湿菌体浓度5 g/L和初始铅浓度150 mg/L的最佳条件下,菌体对铅的吸附率为88.5%;在温度30℃、时间1 h、菌龄96 h、pH 6、湿菌体浓度5 g/L和初始镉浓度20 mg/L的最佳条件下,菌体对镉的吸附率为59.4%。菌株吸附铅镉过程符合Langmuir吸附模型和准二级动力学模型,为表面单分子层吸附。扫描电镜和红外光谱分析表明,重金属离子对菌体造成影响,吸附前后形态发生变化,细胞表面的羟基、羧基、饱和C−H键和酰胺基等基团参与了吸附过程。【结论】菌株JB16具有一定的铅镉吸附效果,为修复重金属铅镉污染的水体和土壤提供宝贵的菌种资源和数据支持。     

Stability of Lead Immobilized by Apatite in Lead-Containing Rhizosphere Soil of Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) and Hairy Vetch (Vicia villosa)

This study conducted plant growth experiments using a rhizobox system to understand the growth of buckwheat and hairy vetch as well as the stability of lead immobilized by hydroxyapatite (HAP) in the lead-containing rhizosphere soil. The shoot dry weight of buckwheat did not significantly differ between the lead-containing rhizosphere soil with and without HAP, whereas that of hairy vetch with rhizosphere soil without HAP was reduced. Lead was not accumulated from the rhizosphere soil to the shoots of either plant when HAP was added. The percentage of each lead fraction in sequential extraction was approximately the same through the 3 mm of rhizosphere soils from the root surface and non-planted soil, with and without the addition of HAP. For hairy vetch, the amount of water-soluble lead in the HAP-added rhizosphere soil within 3 mm thickness from the root surface did not increase. However, for buckwheat, the amount of water-soluble lead in the HAP-added rhizosphere soil 1 mm from the root surface increased to the same level as that in the non-planted soil without HAP. Our results suggest that when applying phytostabilization combined with apatite to lead-contaminated soil, the plant that cannot re-mobilize lead should be selected.     

Speciation and Vertical Distribution of Lead and Lead Shot in Soil at a Recreational Firing Range

In this study, the speciation, vertical distribution and soil particle size fractions of lead in soil samples at a recreational firing range was determined. This study was performed to gain a better understanding of how lead shot breaks down at ranges. Both the chemical form of lead and the types of soil particles with which lead is associated are important for understanding not only the mobility and persistence, but also the human and ecological impact of lead at these ranges. Lead as shot gun pellets was found to be the dominant form of lead in soil samples. The highest levels were measured in surface samples located in the “fall zone” of the range. Results indicate shot to be relatively absent below surficial samples. Lead concentrations in soil decreased markedly across a 0–6″ depth profile. Lead carbonates were the dominant non-shot form of lead present at all depths. Water-soluble lead species made up a minor fraction of the non-shot lead present in the samples. Based on soil particle sizes measured, highest concentrations of lead were measured in soil particles passing a 0.075 mm sieve.     

Reconstruction of the Terminal of an Abandoned Fractured Unipolar Coronary Sinus Lead: a Feasible Solution to Restore Effective Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy

Complications related to coronary sinus lead are not infrequent in recipients of cardiac resynchronization devices. We describe the case of a patient with a biventricular implantable cardioverter defibrillator with persistent phrenic nerve stimulation, previous coronary sinus lead fracture, and severe left subclavian vein stenosis. The reimplantation of a new coronary sinus lead on the left side, ipsilateral to the original implant, was unsuccessful. In order to avoid more complex and risky procedures, we performed the repair of the fractured abandoned lead with the reconstruction of the unipolar lead terminal. Effective biventricular pacing was obtained with satisfactory electrical parameters and it was maintained at twelve months follow-up.     

Phytoremediation of Wastewater Containing Lead (Pb) in Pilot Reed Bed Using Scirpus Grossus

Phytoremediation is a technology to clean the environment from heavy metals contamination. The objectives of this study are to threat Pb contaminated wastewater by using phytoremediation technology and to determine if the plant can be mention as hyperaccumulator. Fifty plants of Scirpus grossus were grown in sand medium and 600 L spiked water in various Pb concentration (10, 30 and 50 mg/L) was exposed. The experiment was conducted with single exposure method, sampling time on day-1, day-14, day-28, day-42, day-70, and day-98. The analysis of Pb concentration in water, sand medium and inside the plant tissue was conducted by ICP-OES. Water samples were filtered and Pb concentration were directly analyzed, Pb in sand samples were extracted by EDTA method before analyzed, and Pb in plant tissues were extracted by wet digestion method and analyzed. The results showed that on day-28, Pb concentration in water decreased 100%, 99.9%, 99.7%, and the highest Pb uptake by plant were 1343, 4909, 3236 mg/kg for the treatment of 10, 30, and 50 mg/L respectively. The highest BC and TF were 485,261 on day-42 and 2.5295 on day-70 of treatment 30 mg/L, it can be mentioned that Scirpus grossus is a hyperaccumulator.