Phyto-Tolerance Degradation of Hydrocarbons and Accumulation of Heavy Metals by of Cajanus cajan (Pigeon Pea) in Petroleum-Oily-Sludge-Contaminated Soil
, Siti Rozaimah Sheikh Abdullah 3, Mohd Izuan Effendi Halmi 4 and Mohd Yunus Shukor 1,*Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
This paper considers the phyto-tolerance and accumulation of heavy metals in petroleum oily sludge by Cajanus cajan (Pigeon pea). The submitted article is interesting, original and within the scope of the journal, but some minor changes should be addressed:
- Please delete the text from “0. How to Use This Template” section.
- Please rewrite the phrase “Among the methods available for cleaning up oily sludge-contaminated environments biologically is bioremediation thought is efficient but had limitation which phytoremediation provides solutions to”.
- Please correct the phrase “plant uptake contaminants through the body tissues especially the root and translocate it to the upper parts of the plant, whereby the plant may reach the threshold for continues uptake and is then harvested for further disposal in the plant biomass [6].”
- I recommend to check the spelling and grammar because it is difficult to read the text.
- Please highlight the aim of the study.
- Please update the state of the art. It will be interesting to discuss briefly about others potential solution for waste treatments. Maybe the thermochemical decomposition of sludge could be an eco-friendly solution (please use https://doi.org/10.37358/RC.20.10.8361). Please discuss about the heavy metal migration and potential environmental risk (please use https://doi.org/10.37358/RC.19.12.7725)
- The figures titles are too long, please try to introduce the information in the text.
- Please rearrange the figures 9-13.
- I recommend to have only one section for results and discussion and to merge both by introducing the comments after each figure.
- Please rewrite the references according to the journal instructions.
Author Response
Dear Editor and reviewers,
Thank you for the insightful comments and suggestions. The followings are the answers to the questions asked. We have prepared a point-by-point answer to all of the comments and issues raised.
Reviewer 1
- How to Use This Template” section. (Deleted)
- Please rewrite the phrase “Among the methods available for cleaning up oily sludge-contaminated environments biologically is bioremediation thought is efficient but had limitation which phytoremediation provides solutions to”
The phrase is rewritten to “Among the methods available for cleaning up oily sludge-contaminated environments biologically is bioremediation thought is efficient but had limitation which phytoremediation provides solutions to, which includes the accumulation and uptake of non-degradable heavy metals by plant.
- Please correct the phrase “plant uptake contaminants through the body tissues especially the root and translocate it to the upper parts of the plant, whereby the plant may reach the threshold for continues uptake and is then harvested for further disposal in the plant biomass [6].”
The phrase is recasted to ‘Some plant uptake contaminants into the root tissues only while other plant translocate it from root to the upper parts of the plant, the plant is then harvested for further appropriate disposal [6].
- I recommend to check the spelling and grammar because it is difficult to read the text.
Spellings and grammar checked and Manuscript will be sent for English editing service
- Please highlight the aim of the study.
The current study aimed to investigate the ability of C. cajan to remediated soil polluted with mixed contaminant (Petroleum oily sludge) which composes both hydrocarbon and heavy metals
- Please update the state of the art. It will be interesting to discuss briefly about others potential solution for waste treatments. Maybe the thermochemical decomposition of sludge could be an eco-friendly solution (please use https://doi.org/10.37358/RC.20.10.8361). Please discuss about the heavy metal migration and potential environmental risk (please use https://doi.org/10.37358/RC.19.12.7725)
Likewise the heavy metals component of POS which will be a serious threat for both terrestrial aquatic ecosystem [52].
Ref.
Iordache M, Iordache AM, Sandru C, Voica C, Zgavarogea R, Miricioiu MG, Ionete RE. Assessment of Heavy Metals Pollution in Sediments from Reservoirs of the Olt River as Tool for Environmental Risk Management. Rev. Chim.[internet]. 2019 Dec;70(12):4153-4162. Available from: https://doi.org/10.37358/RC.19.12.7725
The expertise has been getting consideration because of its low-cost and environment friendly features such as thermochemical decomposition (Pyrolysis) [53].
Ref.
Zaharioiu A, Bucura F, Ionete EI, Ionete RE, Ebrasu D, Sandru C, Marin F, Oancea S, Niculescu V, Miricioiu MG, Constantinescu M. Thermochemical Decomposition of Sewage Sludge - An Eco-Friendly Solution for a Sustainable Energy Future by Using Wastes. Rev. Chim.[internet]. 2020 Oct;71(10):171-181. Available from: https://doi.org/10.37358/RC.20.10.8361
- The figures titles are too long, please try to introduce the information in the text.
The title in the figure carries keys which was removed and described in the results
- Please rearrange the figures 9-13.
Figure 9-13 rearranged
- I recommend to have only one section for results and discussion and to merge both by introducing the comments after each figure.
Yes we refer to the journal guidelines
- Please rewrite the references according to the journal instructions.
Yes we refer to the journal guidelines
Reviewer 2 Report
The manuscript ,,Phyto-tolerance degradation of hydrocarbons and accu-mulation of heavy metals by of Cajanus cajan (Pigeon pea) in petroleum oily sludge contaminated soil,, offers an interesting topic and has interesting findings. However, before considering the publication, I recommend you make the changes listed below. A major revision is recommended.
,,0. How to Use This Template,, Delete this section from the manuscript.
In the future, it is advisable to add line spacing, so it is very difficult to check the manuscript.
Please be sure that your manuscript thoroughly establishes how this work is fundamentally novel. Specific comparisons should be made to previously published materials that have a similar purpose. Please present a strong case for how this work is a major advance. This needs to be done in the manuscript itself, not just in the response to review comments.
Please be sure that your abstract and your Conclusions section not only summarize the key findings of your work but also explain the specific ways in which this work fundamentally advances the field relative to prior literature.
The significance of this study should be more emphasize in the introduction.
Pay attention to this paper, which can be helpful. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15226514.2018.1524837?journalCode=bijp20
Introduction
,,Metals are such as Ag, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, and Zn, metalloids (As, Se),, This important paper has addressed this issue in detail and therefore the authors are encouraged to add it here as a reference. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304389420316149
,,uptake a large number of heavy metals,, This important paper has addressed this issue in detail and therefore the authors are encouraged to add it here as a reference. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412021001525
,,Cajanus cajan (Pigeon pea),, Why did you choose this plant for your research?
Materials and methods: ,,Malaysia in 2014,, How were the samples stored? Since they are from 2014.
There is a number of typos throughout the manuscript. Please go through the whole manuscript and check it.
,,Heavy metal analysis,, ,,(HNO3, H2SO4 and HClO4),, Indicate the purity and molar concentration of all chemicals used in the experiments.
Page 4 ,,Bioconcentration factor (BCF) = Mean heavy metal concentration in the plant,, and below. The interpretation of these equations needs to be corrected.
It is necessary to adjust the structure of the whole manuscript to make it understandable.
Figure 1: Convert image 1 color. There will be better visible differences.
Figure 2 must be significantly improved and present in color. There are no clear points.
Figure 4, 5, and 6: I noticed different font sizes in the image. Also, the lines in the images are not terminated.
Make figures 7 and 8 in color.
Table 2: I am interested in measurement deviations.
Figures 9-13 seem confusing to me. Please improve the quality of these images.
4. Discussion - This whole part should be written a little more clearly and not for strength. To make it understandable. Please shorten and correct some sentences.
Line 38: Extend the conclusions with all your most important findings. Indicate the possible risks of such research. Add your recommendations for future research
Line 69: Make sure the references are added correctly according to the journal's instructions.
Author Response
Dear Editor and reviewers,
Thank you for the insightful comments and suggestions. The followings are the answers to the questions asked. We have prepared a point-by-point answer to all of the comments and issues raised.
Reviewer 2
Introduction
,,Metals are such as Ag, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, and Zn, metalloids (As, Se),, This important paper has addressed this issue in detail and therefore the authors are encouraged to add it here as a reference. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304389420316149
The requested articles are duly cited and referenced
Quan Wang, Sabry M. Shaheen, Yahui Jiang, Ronghua Li, Michal Slaný, Hamada Abdelrahman, Eilhann Kwon, Nanthi Bolan, Jörg Rinklebe, Zengqiang Zhang (2021), Fe/Mn- and P-modified drinking water treatment residuals reduced Cu and Pb phytoavailability and uptake in a mining soil, Journal of Hazardous Materials, Volume 403, 2021, 123628, ISSN 0304-3894, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123628
Yi Man, Bo Wang, Jianxu Wang, Michal Slaný, Haiyu Yan, Ping Li, Ali El-Naggar, Sabry M. Shaheen, Jörg Rinklebe, Xinbin Feng, Use of biochar to reduce mercury accumulation in Oryza sativa L: A trial for sustainable management of historically polluted farmlands, Environment International, Volume 153,, ISSN 0160-4120, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2021.106527.
Cajanus cajan (Pigeon pea),, Why did you choose this plant for your research?
Cajanus cajan is one of the common legume crop growing in most tropical countries
Materials and methods: ,,Malaysia in 2014,, How were the samples stored? Since they are from 2014.
The sludge was stored appropriately for further analysis at 40C
There is a number of typos throughout the manuscript. Please go through the whole manuscript and check it.
Typographic errors are well checked
,,Heavy metal analysis,, ,,(HNO3, H2SO4 and HClO4),, Indicate the purity and molar concentration of all chemicals used in the experiments.
HNO3 (15.7 M and 70% purity), H2SO4 (18.4 M and 98% purity) HClO4 (11.4 M and 70% purity)
Page 4 ,,Bioconcentration factor (BCF) = Mean heavy metal concentration in the plant,, and below. The interpretation of these equations needs to be corrected.
BCF = Mean heavy metal concentration in the plant
Heavy metals in the soil
TF = Concentration above ground x 1/Concentration in root.
Figure 1: Convert image 1 color. There will be better visible differences.
Figure 2 must be significantly improved and present in color. There are no clear points.
Figure 2 improved and changed to color
Figure 4, 5, and 6: I noticed different font sizes in the image. Also, the lines in the images are not terminated.
Make figures 7 and 8 in color.
Table 2: I am interested in measurement deviations.
Standard deviation was added to BCF and TF values
Figures 9-13 seem confusing to me. Please improve the quality of these images.
Figures improved as there was overlapping in the labels of the figure
- Discussion - This whole part should be written a little more clearly and not for strength. To make it understandable. Please shorten and correct some sentences.
The Discussion was improved
Line 38: Extend the conclusions with all your most important findings. Indicate the possible risks of such research. Add your recommendations for future research
Recommendation added and conclusion improved
Round 2
Reviewer 2 Report
The manuscript ,,Phyto-tolerance degradation of hydrocarbons and accumulation of heavy metals by of Cajanus cajan (Pigeon pea) in petroleum oily sludge contaminated soil,, has been significantly improved and therefore I recommend its accept as a publication in the journal Agronomy.
