Effect of Organic Acids on Heavy-Metal Uptake and Growth of Canola Grown in Contaminated Soil

Heavy-metal pollution of soils causes many environmental, animal, and human health problems. Phytoextraction of heavy metals from contaminated soils is an effective and economic technique. Humic acids are naturally occurring phenol body polymerisates, which form chelate compounds with heavy metals. In the present study the influence of soil- applied humic, citric, and malic acids on the lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and chromium (Cr) uptake from a contaminated soil by canola plant was examined in a greenhouse experiment. The experiment was arranged in factorial design based on randomized complete blocks with three replications. The factors of experiment included three organic acids (humic, citric, and malic acid) as first factor and five concentrations [0, 0.001, 0.002, 0.003, and 0.004 (v/v)] as second factor. The results showed that increase in organic acid concentration significantly increased heavy-metal uptake by canola plant, which accumulated heavy metals in different parts of the plant. In addition, crop growth representing by plant height and plant dry weight as well as seed production significantly decreased. Based on these results, canola can be considered as effective crop for phytoextraction of heavy metals from contaminated soils.     

Phytoextraction Potential of Indian Mustard at Various Levels of Zinc Exposure

ABSTRACT

Indian mustard (Brassica juncea Czern.) has the potential to extract zinc (Zn) and other metals from contaminated soils, but the potential to accumulate metals at different levels of exposure is not well documented. The objectives of this research were to assess plant growth and Zn accumulation for different metal-accumulating accessions of Indian mustard grown with various Zn concentrations. In the experiment, three accessions of Indian mustard (426308, 182921, and 211000) were supplied with 12 levels of Zn (ranging from 0.0 to 7.0 mg L^?1) for three weeks in solution culture. Accession 426308 had a greater capacity for dry-mass accumulation than the others, but differences among accessions lessened as the concentration of Zn in solution increased. Accessions did not differ in Zn concentrations in shoots, but accession 426308 had a greater potential to accumulate Zn than the other accessions. Elevating the Zn supply in solutions had a limited effect on increasing the total Zn accumulation of shoots. Plants suffered Zn-induced iron (Fe) deficiency if the Zn concentration in solution exceeded 2.0 mg Zn L^?1. The level of Zn tolerance of Indian mustard accessions was: 211000 > 182921 > 426308. Maximum Zn accumulation in shoots was approximately 5.0 mg Zn per plant. The phytoextraction potential of Indian mustard may be limited under Zn-contaminated conditions by nutrient disorders and toxic effects of Zn that suppress growth.     

Arsenic and Cadmium Phytoextraction Potential of Crambe Compared with Indian Mustard

ABSTRACT

The ability to tolerate and accumulate arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) was compared between Brassica juncea (Indian mustard) and Crambe abyssinica (Hochst.) (Crambe or Abyssinian mustard). Plants were grown hydroponically and treated with 70 μM sodium arsenate or 50 μ M cadmium chloride for two weeks. When nutrients were omitted during the As treatment, leaves of C. abyssinica accumulated an average of 140 mg As kg^?1, compared with 34 mg kg^?1 for B. juncea. When quarter-strength Hoagland's nutrient solution was provided during As treatment, leaves of C. abyssinica accumulated an average of 270 mg As kg^?1, compared with 13 mg kg^?1 for B. juncea. Cadmium accumulation on a dry-weight basis was approximately two times greater in shoots of B. juncea. Shoot biomass production in the presence or absence of metals was greatest for C. abyssinica. Because of its larger biomass and more efficient accumulation of As, C. abyssinica should be considered for use in phytoremediation research.     

Chelate-Assisted Phytoextraction of Cadmium and Lead using Mustard and Fenugreek

A screen-house experiment was conducted to study cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) phytoextraction using mustard and fenugreek as test crops. Cadmium was applied at a rate of 20 mg kg^?1 soil for both crops, and Pb was applied at 160 and 80 mg kg^?1 soil for mustard and fenugreek, respectively. The disodium salt of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) was applied at 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 g kg^?1 soil. Dry-matter yield (DMY) of both crops decreased with increasing rates of EDTA application. Application of 1.5 g EDTA kg^?1 soil caused 23% and 70% declines in DMY of mustard and fenugreek shoots, respectively, in the soils receiving 20 mg Cd kg^?1 soil. Similarly, in soil with 160 mg Pb kg^?1 soil, application of 1.5 g EDTA kg^?1 resulted in 25.4% decrease in DMY of mustard shoot, whereas this decrease was 55.4% in fenugreek grown on a soil that had received 80 mg Pb kg^?1 soil. The EDTA application increased the plant Cd and Pb concentrations as well as shoot/root ratios of these metals in both the crops. Application of 1.5 g kg^?1 EDTA resulted in a 1.50-fold increase in Cd accumulation and a 3-fold increase in Pb accumulation by mustard compared to the control treatment. EDTA application caused mobilization of Cd and Pb from carbonate, manganese oxide, and amorphous iron oxide fractions, which was evident from decrease in these fractions in the presence of EDTA as compared to the control treatment (no EDTA).     

Recycling of Chicken and Duck Litter Ash as a Nutrient Source for Japanese Mustard Spinach

ABSTRACT

Recycling combusted poultry litter ash as a soil amendment would potentially ameliorate problems normally associated with poultry waste management. We evaluated the effect of chicken litter ash (CLA) and duck litter ash (DLA) as nutrient sources for Japanese mustard spinach (Brassica rapa L. var. perviridis) grown on a sand dune soil. Chicken and duck litter were ashed at five temperatures: 200, 400, 600, 800, and 900°C and the resulting ash samples were applied at the rate of 100 kg phosphorus (P) ha^?1. Laboratory analysis showed the highest P extraction with citric acid from CLA and DLA obtained at 600°C. Chicken litter ash was richer in P and potassium (K) than DLA but the later contained more calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg). The amount of ammonium acetate soluble calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and K recovered increased with increasing temperature except for Ca and Mg at the highest temperatures, 800 and 900°C. Plants grown in pots with the CLA and DLA obtained at 400°C had the highest P concentration, yielding significantly more biomass with dense green leaf color but on average, the DLA amended soil had greater biomass. However, the P level was higher in CLA treated plants than DLA due to the higher available P level (citric acid soluble). Increases in electrical conductivity and pH of the soil were noted after harvest due to litter ash application. Our experiment demonstrated that poultry litter is potential source of P and other nutrients for horticutural crops.     

Metal Extractability in Binary and Multi-metals Spiked Calcareous Soils

In the present study, a laboratory experiment was designed to compare the 0.01 M calcium chloride (CaCl₂) and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) extraction methods for their ability to predict cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) availability and mobility in five calcareous soils. The soils were spiked with different amounts of metals (0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg kg^?1) both in binary (Cu and Zn; Ni and Cd; Fe and Mn) and in multi-systems (Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn) and incubated for 1 months at field capacity. In metal-spiked soils, both extraction methods showed a linear relationship of extractable to total metals for all soils. The fraction of total metals extracted by DTPA was much higher than the fraction extracted by CaCl₂, which was attributed to the formation of soluble metal-complexes in the complexing extracts calculated by the Visual Minteq program. DTPA extraction method showed higher selectivity for Cu over other metals both in binary and in multi-systems. Different order of metals extractability was found in binary and multi-systems for both extraction methods. Solid/solution distribution coefficient (K_d) was calculated by the ratio of the solid phase to soil solution concentration of metals extracted by CaCl₂ or DTPA extraction methods. Both in binary and in multi-systems, the average K_d (l kg^?1) of metals by soils were in the order of Mn (5398) > Fe (4413) > Zn (3376) > Cu (2520) > Ni (969) > Cd (350) in the CaCl₂-extractable metals and Fe (35) ≥ Ni (34) > Zn (18) > Mn (11.2) > Cu (6.3) > Cd (4) in the DTPA-extractable metals. Results showed that among the six studied metals, Cd had the lowest K_d, implying a relative higher mobility in these calcareous soils. The Visual Minteq indicated that in the CaCl₂-extraction method and in both binary and multi-systems the dominant species for Cu, Mn, Ni, and Zn were Cu²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Zn²⁺, respectively, while for Cd and Fe, the dominant species were CdCl⁺ and Fe(OH)²⁺, respectively.     

Microbially Enhanced Phytoextraction of Heavy-Metal Fly-Ash Amended Soil

A study was carried out for the phytoextraction of metals by S. munja with the interventions of growth-promoting bacteria isolated from fly ash (FA). It was observed that when a consortium of Bacillus endophyticus NBRFT4, Paenibacillus macerans NBRFT5, and Bacillus pumilus NBRFT9 was inoculated in the rhizospheric zone of S. munja, it not only enhanced metal uptake through mobilization but also promoted the plant growth. A combined effect of both factors accelerated the phytoextraction of nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) by two- or three-fold. Plant growth and metal bioavailability both were promoted by the synthesis of siderophore (ACC), indole acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acid, and cytokinins by bacteria. In addition, bacteria might also change the speciation of metals to make it more water soluble for plant uptake. Hence, a microbe-based phytoextraction of metals from contaminated sites may be recommended for use as an environmentally sound technology in place of conventional methods.     

Effects of Chelating Compounds on Mobilization and Phytoextraction of Copper and Lead in Contaminated Soils

Six chelating compounds: ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTA), ethylenediamine-N, N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS), tartaric acid, citric acid, glycine and histidine, were tested as potential agents to mobilize copper (Cu) and lead (Pb) from two soils polluted with the emissions from copper smelters. Copper was mobilized with the following efficiency: EDTA > citric and tartaric acids > histidine > EDDS and glycine, while Pb extractability followed the order: EDTA > EDDS >> tartaric and citric acid >> glycine and histidine. With respect to these results, EDTA and EDDS were chosen for a pot experiment on chelate-induced phytoextraction of Cu and Pb by maize (Zea mays). Chelates were applied at the rates of 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0 mmol kg^?1, and this experiment was carried out at two different watering regimes. Both EDTA and EDDS caused significant increase of Cu uptake from soils, but its concentrations in biomass were far below those required for efficient soil remediation. Lead uptake was only slightly affected by chelate application. Losses of Cu from soil by leaching were much higher than those caused by plant uptake.     

蚯蚓在植物修复重金属污染土壤中的应用前景

重金属污染土壤的植物修复技术是绿色生物技术,该技术的应用受制于两个主要因素:超积累植物生物量小和土壤中重金属有效性低。本文在收集大量资料基础上,论述了蚯蚓与重金属的相互关系:重金属对蚯蚓的毒理效应和蚯蚓对重金属的忍耐力。根据在重金属污染土壤中,蚯蚓活动能提高植物生物量和土壤中的重金属的生物有效性,论证了在重金属污染土壤植物修复技术中引入蚯蚓的可行性,并指出引入蚯蚓的植物修复技术当前的研究热点及今后的研究方向。     

Growth and Heavy-Metal Uptake by Lettuce Grown in Soils Applied with Sewage Sludge Compost

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of sewage sludge compost (SSC) alone and applied with chemical fertilizer on growth and heavy-metal accumulations in lettuce grown on two soils, a Xanthi-Udic Ferralosol and a Typic Purpli-Udic Cambosol. The treatments included control; nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium (NPK) fertilizer; sewage sludge compost applied at the rates of 27.54 (SSC), 82.62 (3SSC), 165.24 (6SSC) t hm^–2; and coapplication treatment (1/2 SSC + 1/2 NPK), where the N, P, and K inputs from NPK fertilizer, SSC, and coapplication treatments were normalized to the local recommend rates. The SSC application increased the biomass; copper, zinc, and lead contents in lettuce; and soil total and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)–extractable metals. However, SSC alone at the recommended rate caused less plant biomass than NPK fertilizer alone. Coapplication treatment obtained greater or similar biomass to NPK fertilizer alone and did not increase heavy-metal accumulation in soils and plants. The results demonstrated that SSC should be applied to soils with chemical fertilizers.     

Heavy-Metal Uptake and Growth of Bouteloua Species in Semi-arid Soils Amended with Biosolids

An experiment was conducted in three wild grass species of Bouteloua genus to compare the effect of application of biosolids on the accumulation of heavy metals, biomass production, and nutrient uptake. Biosolids were applied at rates of 0, 3.5, 7, and 10.5 Mg ha^?1 to two different soil types collected from the southern Chihuahuan Desert. The shoot biomass of B. gracilis (BOGR) and B. scorpioides (BOSC) was two to three times greater than the control while in B. curtipendula (BOCU) in was 75% in both soils. In BOGR, nitrogen and phosphorus uptake were 4–4.5 times greater than the control in calcareous soil. With few exceptions, there was no significant difference of heavy-metal concentrations (copper, chromium, arsenic, nickel, and zinc) in the plant tissues compared to the control. The application of biosolids showed interspecies variability in growth response and nutrient uptake with a minimal risk of heavy-metal uptake for Bouteloua wild species.     

Decontamination of Chromium by Farm Yard Manure Application in Spinach Grown in Two Texturally Different Cr-Contaminated Soils

ABSTRACT

Chromium (Cr) is an environmental pollutant and its accumulation up to toxic levels in the soil and plants by applying irrigation with untreated industrial effluents has become a major problem throughout the world, especially in developing countries like India. Various inorganic as well as organic compounds are known for their ability to reduce mobilization of heavy metals in soils for plant uptake and leaching to ground water. The present study was undertaken under controlled glasshouse conditions to assess the effectiveness of farm yard manure (FYM) applications (equivalent to 0, 1, and 2% organic matter on w/w basis) to ameliorate Cr toxicity in spinach grown in two texturally different soils (silty loam and sandy) contaminated artificially with five levels of Cr (0, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 mg Cr kg^{? 1} soil as K₂Cr₂O₇). The diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable Cr in soil (before seeding and after harvest), Cr concentration, and its uptake by shoots and roots of spinach increased with increasing level of applied Cr. Roots accumulated more Cr than shoots, which depicts limited translocation of Cr from roots to shoots. A significant decrease was observed in dry matter yield (DMY) of shoots as well as roots by raising levels of applied Cr (0 to 10 mg Cr kg^{? 1} soil) in both soils, but the extent of the DMY decrease was higher in the sandy loam soil. Application of FYM showed mitigating effects on Cr toxicity. The DMY was higher in the presence of FYM, than its absence, at all rates of applied Cr in both soils. The FYM application caused decline in the DTPA-extractable Cr in soil, and concentration of Cr and its uptake by shoots and roots of spinach at a given level of applied Cr. The magnitude of Cr toxicity and its amelioration by FYM application was higher in sandy soil compared to silty loam soil. The results of this study indicated that FYM application to the soil could be used as an effective measure for reducing Cr toxicity to crop plants in Cr-contaminated soils irrigated by untreated industrial effluents.     

茶皂素对污染土壤中重金属的修复作用

采用振荡离心的方法研究了生物表面活性剂茶皂素在不同浓度、pH值和离子强度下对污染土壤中重金属去除效果的影响;并采用BCR法研究了茶皂素处理前后土样中各形态的重金属含量变化。试验结果表明:随着茶皂素浓度的增加,重金属的去除率随之增加,在茶皂素浓度为7%时,对供试土样中重金属的去除率达到最大值,去除率分别为Cd 96.36%,Zn 71.73%,Pb 43.71%,Cu 20.56%;随着土壤环境pH值的增加,重金属的去除率随之减少,适宜的pH范围在5.0左右;离子强度对Pb,Cu的去除效率影响不大,Zn,Cd的去除率随着离子强度的增加而减少。比较茶皂素处理前后土样中重金属各形态含量的变化,发现酸溶态的重金属更易被茶皂素去除,其次为可还原态、可氧化态和残渣态的重金属很难被去除。     

Effects of Protein Hydrolysate on Soil Fertility and Heavy-Metal Accumulation in Sinapis alba L.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of protein hydrolysate (Hemozym) for fertilization purposes used in unpolluted and cadmium-polluted soil. Three levels of Hemozym (0, 0.1, and 0.2 cm³ kg^?1 dry weight [DW] soil) and cadmium (Cd) rate 5 mg kg^?1 DW soil were used. The fertilizer value of Hemozym was evaluated based on characteristics of the sorptive complex and soil respiratory activity as well as based on the soil and plant heavy-metal content. Increased soil fertility due to the beneficial effect of Hemozym on the improvement in the physicochemical properties of the soil and its microbial activity. However, they do not allow us to determine unambiguously the effect of this fertilizer on solubility vs. binding of heavy metals that occur naturally in the soil (zinc [Zn], copper [Cu], and lead [Pb]) and of intentionally introduced Cd, in spite of an indicative tendency towards the conversion of metals into poorly soluble forms.     

镉污染土壤伴矿景天的萃取强化-螯合剂和植物激素的叶面调控

为提高Cd超富集植物伴矿景天(Sedum plumbizicola)的植物萃取能力,采用盆栽试验研究螯合剂乙二胺四乙酸(EDTA)和植物激素脱落酸(ABA)单独和联合作用的叶面调控对伴矿景天生长和Cd吸收转运的影响,并通过大田试验进行验证。结果表明:盆栽试验叶面喷施EDTA、ABA均能提高伴矿景天对Cd的转运,地下部至地上部的Cd转运系数为EDTA＞ABA,但叶面EDTA处理对生长旺盛期伴矿景天的生长有抑制。伴矿景天各部位Cd富集浓度差异很大,呈现新叶＞地下部＞茎＞老叶,新叶中Cd浓度是老叶的3.6~5.4倍,且主要富集在细胞壁和细胞器中,占总富集量的88%~94%。EDTA处理新叶细胞器中Cd浓度剧增,ABA处理新叶细胞壁中Cd浓度增加,ABA和EDTA联合使用可以缓解EDTA对生长的抑制,且更有利于Cd从根系向地上部转运。大田小区试验叶面诱导强化伴矿景天Cd萃取是可行的,ABA和EDTA联合处理显著增加伴矿景天总Cd积累量,增幅达到37.87%。研究结果为伴矿景天修复Cd污染土壤提供理论指导。     

Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) and Phosphorus Fertilizer-Assisted Phytoextraction of Toxic Heavy Metals from Contaminated Soils

Phytoremediation is a remediation technique that involves the use of plants to extract, sequester, and/or detoxify pollutants through physical, chemical, and biological processes. The use of phytoremediation is expanding due to its cost-effectiveness compared with conventional methods. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of autumn and spring application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR, 10⁸ cfu mL^?1 Bacillus megaterium var. phosphaticum sprayed at 250 mL plot^?1) and phosphorus (P) fertilizer (0, 11, 22, 33, 44 kg P ha^?1) on dry matter yield and heavy metal uptake by plants in soils contaminated with heavy metals. Field experiments were conducted using a randomized complete block design with four replications between 2004 and 2007. The results of the study indicated that P fertilization, but not PGPR application, significantly affected dry matter yield. Application of PGPR increased heavy metal availability in soils and the heavy metal uptake of meadow plants. The heavy metal content of the meadow plants resulting from PGPR application was 4–6 times higher for the spring application than the autumn application. Approximately 16, 30, 10, 10, and 3 growing seasons without PGPR are necessary to remove all lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), boron (B), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn), respectively, from polluted soil. The time required for Pb, Ni, B, Mn, and Zn removal could be further decreased to approximately 4, 6, 3, 3, and 1 growing seasons, respectively, with 33 kg phosphorus pentoxide (P₂O₅) ha^?1 and 10⁸ cfu mL^?1 PGPR applications at rates of 250 mL plot^?1 in the spring season.     

Pyroligneous Acids Enhance Phytoremediation of Heavy Metal-Contaminated Soils Using Mustard

Heavy metal (HM) pollution has long been a problem in crop production. However, soils contaminated at low concentration such as areas for food production may have a high risk of biomagnification and food chain contamination. Different methods were used for remediating these polluted environments, but pyroligneous acids (PAs) such as wood vinegar (WV) application are rarely studied. Thus, the effects of WV on metal availability in soils and on the growth of mustard were evaluated by measuring chlorophyll content, biomass, nutrient and metal uptake. Bioconcentration factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF) were computed to determine suitable phytoremediation practices. Overall results revealed favorable growth of mustard due to the direct source of nutrients provided by WV. WV decreased the metal concentration in soil and inhibited uptake through phytostabilization. Organic substances associated with WV are naturally endowed with adsorption sites available for chelation, rendering metals less bioavailable. As a result, HM-contaminated soils can now be utilized for food production.     

Effects of Graded Levels of Cadmium on Spinach and Cabbage Grown in an Inceptisol

Cadmium (Cd) contamination of the soil and its concentrations in spinach and cabbage were studied in a pot culture experiment. Eight levels of Cd (0–100 mg kg^?1 soil) were applied singly. Application of Cd of up to 10 and 15 mg kg^?1 resulted in safe Cd concentrations (1.56 and 1.38 mg kg^?1) in the shoots of spinach and cabbage, respectively, at the consumable stage. The total chlorophyll content gradually decreased with the addition of Cd, and the maximum decreases were 31.7 and 32% in spinach and cabbage, respectively, at 60 days of crop growth in the treatment Cd₁₀₀ over the control. The greatest diethylene triamine penta-acetic acid (DTPA)–extractable Cd contents in the postharvest soil of spinach and cabbage were 22.09 and 24.22 mg kg^?1, respectively, in the treatment Cd₁₀₀. The DTPA Cd was significantly negatively correlated with leaf area and total chlorophyll content while positively correlated with root and shoot Cd concentrations of spinach and cabbage.     

Effect of Glomus Intraradices on Physiological and Biochemical Traits of Wheat Grown in Nickel Contaminated Soil

This study was undertaken to evaluate the role of mycorrhizal fungi application on mitigating adverse effects of nickel (Ni) in wheat. The experiment was conducted using four levels of Ni (0, 60, 120 and 180 mg per kg of soil) and two levels of mycorrhizal fungi application (with and without Glomus intraradices). Ni stress significantly decreased total dry weight per plant and total chlorophyll. By contrast, proline, superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity, malondialdehyde (MDA), and the accumulation of Ni in the leaves and roots increased on account of Ni treatments. In addition, mycorrhizal fungi application increased total dry weight per plant and total chlorophyll as well as the accumulation of Ni in the roots. Mycorrhizal fungi application could reduce proline, SOD enzyme activity, MDA and the accumulation of Ni in the leaves. In general, the results suggest that mycorrhizal fungi application reduces the harmful effects of Ni stress in wheat.     

Effects of Lead Forms and Organic Acids on the Growth and Uptake of Lead in Hydroponically Grown Wheat

This study investigated the effects of lead (Pb) form (free or complexed) and type and concentration of chelants [citric acid and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)] on the growth and ability of wheat to accumulate Pb. Wheat variety Auqab-2000 was exposed to four levels of EDTA and citric acid (0, 500, 1000, and 1500 μM) in the presence of Pb (1000 μM). Both the free Pb (1000 μM) and high concentration (1500 μM) of EDTA and citric acid reduced the plant biomass. Without the addition of chelants, only a little Pb was accumulated by wheat shoots. This demonstrates that organic acids used in enhanced phytoextraction applications do not merely serve to increase metal mobility and plant availability but also can help to increase translocation rates of metals absorbed by the plant roots. Greater translocation of Pb from roots to shoots was observed with EDTA than that with citric acid.