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Fundamental and Applied Research for the Effective Deployment of Phytoremediation
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Fundamental and Applied Research for the Effective Deployment of Phytoremediation

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Response to Abiotic Stress and Climate Change".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 September 2020) | Viewed by 76170

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Frédéric Pitre

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institut de recherche en biologie végétale (IRBV), Jardin Botanique de Montréal/ Espace pour la vie Sciences biologiques, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H1X2B2, Canada
Interests: phytoremediation; pollutants; contaminants; plant- microbe-soil-pollutant interactions; omics; wastewater; ecophysiology; interdisciplinary research; applied science
Dr. Joan Laur

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institut de recherche en biologie végétale (IRBV), Jardin Botanique de Montréal/Espace pour la vie, Montréal, QC H1X2B2, Canada
Interests: phytoremediation; pollutants; contaminants; plant- microbe-soil-pollutant interactions; omics; wastewater; ecophysiology; interdisciplinary research; applied science
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The use of phytoremediation (i.e., the treatment of polluted air, soil, sediments, and water with plants and associated microbes) to reduce the impact of human activity on the environment has expanded over the past few years.

Both public and private interest in environmental remediation strongly foster research discoveries. Indeed, the scientific community has made outstanding achievements in the field which are about to overcome the major bottleneck of transitioning from the lab to a widespread and effective deployment of these innovative green technologies. In the forthcoming Special Issue of Plants on phytoremediation, we welcome scientific works (original research papers, field trials and case studies, methods, modeling approaches, and reviews) from a broad scope of disciplines ranging from -omics studies and basic molecular biology to ecophysiology and large-scale applications. Interdisciplinary works are highly welcomed. We aim to highlight original research approaches and to contribute to the successful expansion of phytoremediation applications. 

Thank you for your contributions.

Dr. Frédéric Pitre
Dr. Joan Laur
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • phytoremediation
  • pollutants
  • contaminants
  • plant–microbe–soil–pollutant interactions
  • -omics
  • wastewater
  • ecophysiology
  • interdisciplinary research
  • applied science

Published Papers (20 papers)

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21 pages, 1330 KiB  
Article
In-Site and Ex-Site Date Palm Exposure to Heavy Metals Involved Infra-Individual Biomarkers Upregulation
by Zayneb Chaâbene, Agnieszka Rorat, Walid Kriaa, Imen Rekik, Hafedh Mejdoub, Franck Vandenbulcke and Amine Elleuch
Plants 2021, 10(1), 137; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10010137 - 12 Jan 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1986
Abstract
As a tree of considerable importance in arid regions—date palm, Phoenix dactylifera L. survival in contaminated areas of Sfax city has drawn our attention. Leaf samples of the plants grown in the study area showed high levels of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and [...] Read more.
As a tree of considerable importance in arid regions—date palm, Phoenix dactylifera L. survival in contaminated areas of Sfax city has drawn our attention. Leaf samples of the plants grown in the study area showed high levels of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and chromium (Cr). On the basis of this finding, the cellular mechanisms that explain these metal accumulations were investigated in controlled conditions. After four months of exposure to Cd, Cr, or Cu, high bioconcentration and translocation factor (TF > 1) have been shown for date palm plantlets exposed to Cd and low TF values were obtained for plantlets treated with Cr and Cu. Moreover, accumulation of oxidants and antioxidant enzyme activities occurred in exposed roots to Cu and Cd. Secondary metabolites, such as polyphenols and flavonoids, were enhanced in plants exposed at low metal concentrations and declined thereafter. Accumulation of flavonoids in cells may be correlated with the expression of the gene encoding Pdmate5, responsible for the transport of secondary metabolites, especially flavonoids. Other transporter genes responded positively to metal incorporation, especially Pdhma2, but also Pdabcc and Pdnramp6. The latter would be a new candidate gene sensitive to metallic stress in plants. Expressions of gene coding metal chelators were also investigated. Pdpcs1 and Pdmt3 exhibited a strong induction in plants exposed to Cr. These modifications of the expression of some biochemical and molecular based-markers in date palm helped to better understand the ability of the plant to tolerate metals. They could be useful in assessing heavy metal contaminations in polluted soils and may improve accumulation capacity of other plants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fundamental and Applied Research for the Effective Deployment of Phytoremediation)
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22 pages, 23248 KiB  
Article
Removal of Nitrogen and Phosphorus from Thickening Effluent of an Urban Wastewater Treatment Plant by an Isolated Green Microalga
by Costanza Baldisserotto, Sara Demaria, Ornella Accoto, Roberta Marchesini, Marcello Zanella, Linda Benetti, Francesco Avolio, Michele Maglie, Lorenzo Ferroni and Simonetta Pancaldi
Plants 2020, 9(12), 1802; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121802 - 18 Dec 2020
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3839
Abstract
Microalgae are photosynthetic microorganisms and are considered excellent candidates for a wide range of biotechnological applications, including the removal of nutrients from urban wastewaters, which they can recover and convert into biomass. Microalgae-based systems can be integrated into conventional urban wastewater treatment plants [...] Read more.
Microalgae are photosynthetic microorganisms and are considered excellent candidates for a wide range of biotechnological applications, including the removal of nutrients from urban wastewaters, which they can recover and convert into biomass. Microalgae-based systems can be integrated into conventional urban wastewater treatment plants (WW-TP) to improve the water depuration process. However, microalgal strain selection represents a crucial step for effective phytoremediation. In this work, a microalga isolated from the effluent derived from the thickening stage of waste sludge of an urban WW-TP was selected and tested to highlight its potential for nutrient removal. Ammonium and phosphate abatements by microalgae were evaluated using both the effluent and a synthetic medium in a comparative approach. Parallelly, the isolate was characterized in terms of growth capability, morphology, photosynthetic pigment content and photosystem II maximum quantum yield. The isolated microalga showed surprisingly high biomass yield and removal efficiency of both ammonium and phosphate ions from the effluent but not from the synthetic medium. This suggests its clear preference to grow in the effluent, linked to the overall characteristics of this matrix. Moreover, biomass from microalgae cultivated in wastewater was enriched in photosynthetic pigments, polyphosphates, proteins and starch, but not lipids, suggesting its possible use as a biofertilizer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fundamental and Applied Research for the Effective Deployment of Phytoremediation)
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15 pages, 1898 KiB  
Article
Macrophyte Potential to Treat Leachate Contaminated with Wood Preservatives: Plant Tolerance and Bioaccumulation Capacity
by Emmanuelle Demers, Margit Kõiv-Vainik, Sara Yavari, Michel Mench, Lilian Marchand, Julie Vincent, Chloé Frédette, Yves Comeau and Jacques Brisson
Plants 2020, 9(12), 1774; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121774 - 14 Dec 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2132
Abstract
Pentachlorophenol and chromated copper arsenate (CCA) have been used worldwide as wood preservatives, but these compounds can toxify ecosystems when they leach into the soil and water. This study aimed to evaluate the capacity of four treatment wetland macrophytes, Phalaris arundinacea, Typha [...] Read more.
Pentachlorophenol and chromated copper arsenate (CCA) have been used worldwide as wood preservatives, but these compounds can toxify ecosystems when they leach into the soil and water. This study aimed to evaluate the capacity of four treatment wetland macrophytes, Phalaris arundinacea, Typha angustifolia, and two subspecies of Phragmites australis, to tolerate and treat leachates containing wood preservatives. The experiment was conducted using 96 plant pots in 12 tanks filled with three leachate concentrations compared to uncontaminated water. Biomass production and bioaccumulation were measured after 35 and 70 days of exposure. There were no significant effects of leachate contamination concentration on plant biomass for any species. No contaminants were detected in aboveground parts of the macrophytes, precluding their use for phytoextraction within the tested contamination levels. However, all species accumulated As and chlorinated phenols in belowground parts, and this accumulation was more prevalent under a more concentrated leachate. Up to 0.5 mg pentachlorophenol/kg (from 81 µg/L in the leachate) and 50 mg As/kg (from 330 µg/L in the leachate) were accumulated in the belowground biomass. Given their high productivity and tolerance to the contaminants, the tested macrophytes showed phytostabilization potential and could enhance the degradation of phenols from leachates contaminated with wood preservatives in treatment wetlands. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fundamental and Applied Research for the Effective Deployment of Phytoremediation)
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23 pages, 2100 KiB  
Article
Screening of Native Plants Growing on a Pb/Zn Mining Area in Eastern Morocco: Perspectives for Phytoremediation
by Said El Hasnaoui, Mouna Fahr, Catherine Keller, Clément Levard, Bernard Angeletti, Perrine Chaurand, Zine El Abidine Triqui, Abdelkarim Guedira, Laila Rhazi, Fabrice Colin and Abdelaziz Smouni
Plants 2020, 9(11), 1458; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9111458 - 29 Oct 2020
Cited by 38 | Viewed by 4688
Abstract
Screening of native plant species from mining sites can lead to identify suitable plants for phytoremediation approaches. In this study, we assayed heavy metals tolerance and accumulation in native and dominant plants growing on abandoned Pb/Zn mining site in eastern Morocco. Soil samples [...] Read more.
Screening of native plant species from mining sites can lead to identify suitable plants for phytoremediation approaches. In this study, we assayed heavy metals tolerance and accumulation in native and dominant plants growing on abandoned Pb/Zn mining site in eastern Morocco. Soil samples and native plants were collected and analyzed for As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Sb, Pb, and Zn concentrations. Bioconcentration factor (BCF), translocation factor (TF), and biological accumulation coefficient (BAC) were determined for each element. Our results showed that soils present low organic matter content combined with high levels of heavy metals especially Pb and Zn due to past extraction activities. Native and dominant plants sampled in these areas were classified into 14 species and eight families. Principal components analysis separated Artemisia herba-alba with high concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Ni, and Pb in shoots from other species. Four plant species, namely, Reseda alba, Cistus libanotis, Stipa tenacissima, and Artemisia herba-alba showed strong capacity to tolerate and hyperaccumulate heavy metals, especially Pb, in their tissues. According to BCF, TF, and BAC, these plant species could be used as effective plants for Pb phytoextraction. Stipa tenacissima and Artemisia herba-alba are better suited for phytostabilization of Cd/Cu and Cu/Zn, respectively. Our study shows that several spontaneous and native plants growing on Pb/Zn contaminated sites have a good potential for developing heavy metals phytoremediation strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fundamental and Applied Research for the Effective Deployment of Phytoremediation)
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14 pages, 1792 KiB  
Article
Impact of Bulk ZnO, ZnO Nanoparticles and Dissolved Zn on Early Growth Stages of Barley—A Pot Experiment
by Lucia Nemček, Martin Šebesta, Martin Urík, Marek Bujdoš, Edmund Dobročka and Ivo Vávra
Plants 2020, 9(10), 1365; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9101365 - 15 Oct 2020
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2938
Abstract
Zinc is among the most in-demand metals in the world which also means that a considerable amount of this element is released to the environment each year as a result of human activities. A pot experiment was conducted to study the impact of [...] Read more.
Zinc is among the most in-demand metals in the world which also means that a considerable amount of this element is released to the environment each year as a result of human activities. A pot experiment was conducted to study the impact of low- and high-dose zinc amendments on plant growth and biomass yield, with Calcic Chernozem as a growing medium and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) as a model plant. The distribution of zinc in various plant parts was also investigated. Zn (II) was added in powder as bulk ZnO and in solution as ZnO nanoparticles and ZnSO4 in two dosages (3 and 30 mmol kg−1 soil) prior to planting. The plants were harvested after 10 days of growth. The three sets of data were taken under identical experimental conditions. The application of zinc in aqueous solution and in particulate form (having particle sizes in the range of <100 nm to >500 nm) at concentration of 3 and 30 mmol Zn kg−1 to the soil resulted in decreased growth (root length, shoot length) and biomass yield; the only exception was the addition of 30 mmol Zn kg−1 in the form of bulk ZnO, which had a positive effect on the root growth. The dry weight reduction (sprout biomass) was lowest in plants grown in soil treated with dissolved zinc. There were no statistically significant changes in the content of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll, although flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) analysis indicated that plants bioaccumulated the zinc applied. This implies that the transport of zinc into the above-ground plant parts is controlled by the presence of effective mechanical and physiological barriers in roots. Crop performance under zinc stress in relation to biomass production and the growth of roots and shoots is also partly a reflection of the effects of soil properties. Our findings emphasize the importance of considering plant-soil interactions in research of potential toxicity and bioavailability of zinc in the environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fundamental and Applied Research for the Effective Deployment of Phytoremediation)
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26 pages, 1717 KiB  
Article
Ecosystem Services, Physiology, and Biofuels Recalcitrance of Poplars Grown for Landfill Phytoremediation
by Ronald S. Zalesny Jr., J. Y. Zhu, William L. Headlee, Roland Gleisner, Andrej Pilipović, Joris Van Acker, Edmund O. Bauer, Bruce A. Birr and Adam H. Wiese
Plants 2020, 9(10), 1357; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9101357 - 14 Oct 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2264
Abstract
Long-term poplar phytoremediation data are lacking, especially for ecosystem services throughout rotations. We tested for rotation-age differences in biomass productivity and carbon storage of clones Populus deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh × P. nigra L. ‘DN34′ and P. nigra × P. maximowiczii A. Henry [...] Read more.
Long-term poplar phytoremediation data are lacking, especially for ecosystem services throughout rotations. We tested for rotation-age differences in biomass productivity and carbon storage of clones Populus deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh × P. nigra L. ‘DN34′ and P. nigra × P. maximowiczii A. Henry ‘NM6′ grown for landfill phytoremediation in Rhinelander, WI, USA (45.6° N, 89.4° W). We evaluated tree height and diameter, carbon isotope discrimination (Δ), and phytoaccumulation and phytoextraction of carbon, nitrogen, and inorganic pollutants in leaves, boles, and branches. We measured specific gravity and fiber composition, and determined biofuels recalcitrance of the Rhinelander landfill trees versus these genotypes that were grown for biomass production on an agricultural site in Escanaba, MI, USA (45.8° N, 87.2° W). ‘NM6′ exhibited 3.4 times greater biomass productivity and carbon storage than ‘DN34′, yet both of the clones had similar Δ, which differed for tree age rather than genotype. Phytoaccumulation and phytoextraction were clone- and tissue-specific. ‘DN34′ generally had higher pollutant concentrations. Across contaminants, stand-level mean annual uptake was 28 to 657% greater for ‘NM6′, which indicated its phytoremediation superiority. Site-related factors (not genotypic effects) governed bioconversion potential. Rhinelander phytoremediation trees exhibited 15% greater lignin than Escanaba biomass trees, contributing to 46% lower glucose yield for Rhinelander trees. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fundamental and Applied Research for the Effective Deployment of Phytoremediation)
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15 pages, 1054 KiB  
Article
Heavy Metal Bioaccumulation, Growth Characteristics, and Yield of Pisum sativum L. Grown in Agricultural Soil-Sewage Sludge Mixtures
by Ebrahem M. Eid, Ahmed F. El-Bebany, Mostafa A. Taher, Sulaiman A. Alrumman, Tarek M. Galal, Kamal H. Shaltout, Nasser A. Sewelam and Mohamed T. Ahmed
Plants 2020, 9(10), 1300; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9101300 - 01 Oct 2020
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3389
Abstract
The application of sewage sludge (SS) in agriculture is an alternative disposal method for wastewater recycling and soil fertilization. This study evaluated heavy metal bioaccumulation, growth, and yield of Pisum sativum (pea) grown in agricultural soil amended with SS at rates of 0, [...] Read more.
The application of sewage sludge (SS) in agriculture is an alternative disposal method for wastewater recycling and soil fertilization. This study evaluated heavy metal bioaccumulation, growth, and yield of Pisum sativum (pea) grown in agricultural soil amended with SS at rates of 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 g/kg. The results show that root, shoot, pod length, biomass, and number of leaves and pods increased with SS amendments of 10 and 20 g/kg, while rates declined at 30 and 40 g/kg. SS had greater salinity and organic content than the soil. Heavy metals in the postharvest soil samples increased for all SS application rates except Fe and Mo. The significant increase in Cd content started at the lowest amendment rate 10 g/kg; for Co, Mn, and Pb, the significant increase was detected at the highest amendment rate (40 g/kg). Generally, all heavy metals increased significantly in portions of P. sativum except Cd in the shoot. At an amendment rate of 10 g/kg, Co in the shoot and root, Cr in the fruit, Cu in the root, Fe in the fruit, Mn in the shoot and fruit, Mo in the fruit, Pb in the shoot, and Zn in the fruit were elevated significantly. In contrast, the concentrations of Cd in the fruit, Cr in the root, Cu in the shoot, Fe in the shoot and root, Ni in the fruit and root, Pb in the fruit and root, and Zn in the root significantly increased only at the highest rate of 40 g/kg. The highest regression R2 was 0.927 for Mn in pods and the lowest was 0.154 for Cd in shoots. Bioaccumulation and translocation factors were > 1 for Mo and the bioaccumulation of Pb was >1. SS could be used for pea fertilization but only at rates below 20 g/kg to avoid environmental and health hazards. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fundamental and Applied Research for the Effective Deployment of Phytoremediation)
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13 pages, 2059 KiB  
Article
Phytoremediation of a Highly Arsenic Polluted Site, Using Pteris vittata L. and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi
by Simone Cantamessa, Nadia Massa, Elisa Gamalero and Graziella Berta
Plants 2020, 9(9), 1211; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9091211 - 16 Sep 2020
Cited by 35 | Viewed by 4219
Abstract
Phytoremediation is a promising green technique for the restoration of a polluted environment, but there is often a gap between lab and field experiments. The fern, Pteris vittata L., can tolerate a high soil arsenic concentration and rapidly accumulate the metalloid in its [...] Read more.
Phytoremediation is a promising green technique for the restoration of a polluted environment, but there is often a gap between lab and field experiments. The fern, Pteris vittata L., can tolerate a high soil arsenic concentration and rapidly accumulate the metalloid in its fronds. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are mutualistic fungi that form a symbiosis with most land plants’ roots, improve their growth, and induce stress tolerance. This paper reports the results obtained using P. vittata inoculated with AMF, to extract Arsenic (As) from an industrial site highly contaminated also by other pollutants. Two experiments have been performed. In the first one, AMF colonized ferns were grown for two years under controlled conditions in soil coming from the metallurgic site. Positive effects on plant health and As phytoextraction and accumulation were detected. Then, considering these results, we performed a three year in situ experiment in the industrial site, to assess the remediation of As at two different depths. Our results show that the colonization of P. vittata with AMF improved the remediation process of As with a significant impact on the depth 0–0.2 m. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fundamental and Applied Research for the Effective Deployment of Phytoremediation)
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9 pages, 1236 KiB  
Communication
Assessing the Effect of Diesel Fuel on the Seed Viability and Germination of Medicago sativa Using the Event-Time Model
by Michael O. Eze, Grant C. Hose and Simon C. George
Plants 2020, 9(9), 1062; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9091062 - 19 Aug 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3203
Abstract
The remediation of contaminated sites using plant-based techniques has gained increasing attention in recent decades. However, information on the effects of contaminant imbibition on seed viability and germination rates are often lacking in the literature. To this end, our research investigated, by means [...] Read more.
The remediation of contaminated sites using plant-based techniques has gained increasing attention in recent decades. However, information on the effects of contaminant imbibition on seed viability and germination rates are often lacking in the literature. To this end, our research investigated, by means of an event-time model, the effect of diesel fuel imbibition on the seed viability and germination rate of Medicago sativa, a plant species with great potential for remediation of organic contaminants. The event-time model provided an accurate and biologically relevant method for analysing germination data. Our results reveal that the direct imbibition of diesel fuel by M. sativa seeds for ≤48 h, or their exposure to soil diesel fuel concentrations of 0–10 g/kg diesel fuel, affects their germination rates, as shown by increasing t50 values from 90.6 (±2.78) to 114.2 (±2.67) hours, without significantly affecting seed viability. On the other hand, diesel fuel imbibition of longer duration, or the exposure of M. sativa seeds to ≥20 g/kg diesel fuel-contaminated soils, leads to no further effect on time to seed emergence. Instead, these conditions compromise seed viability, resulting in a decrease in the proportion of germinated seeds from 0.91 (±0.03) in 10 g/kg diesel fuel contaminated soil to 0.84 (±0.04) and 0.70 (±0.05) in 20 and 30 g/kg diesel fuel-contaminated soils, respectively. The fact that low concentrations of diesel fuel and 0–48 h of direct imbibition delayed seed emergence without adversely affecting the percentage of viable seeds suggests that this inhibitory effect on germination at low diesel fuel exposure could be attributed more to physical constraints rather than biological damage on the seeds. The models used in this study provide an accurate and biologically relevant method for the analyses of germination data. This is vital since expensive germination experiments, be it in the field of toxicology or agriculture, deserve to be accurately analysed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fundamental and Applied Research for the Effective Deployment of Phytoremediation)
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18 pages, 3270 KiB  
Article
Trifolium repens-Associated Bacteria as a Potential Tool to Facilitate Phytostabilization of Zinc and Lead Polluted Waste Heaps
by Ewa Oleńska, Valeria Imperato, Wanda Małek, Tadeusz Włostowski, Małgorzata Wójcik, Izabela Swiecicka, Jaco Vangronsveld and Sofie Thijs
Plants 2020, 9(8), 1002; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9081002 - 06 Aug 2020
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3359
Abstract
Heavy metals in soil, as selective agents, can change the structure of plant-associated bacterial communities and their metabolic properties, leading to the selection of the most-adapted strains, which might be useful in phytoremediation. Trifolium repens, a heavy metal excluder, naturally occurs on [...] Read more.
Heavy metals in soil, as selective agents, can change the structure of plant-associated bacterial communities and their metabolic properties, leading to the selection of the most-adapted strains, which might be useful in phytoremediation. Trifolium repens, a heavy metal excluder, naturally occurs on metal mine waste heaps in southern Poland characterized by high total metal concentrations. The purpose of the present study was to assess the effects of toxic metals on the diversity and metabolic properties of the microbial communities in rhizospheric soil and vegetative tissues of T. repens growing on three 70–100-years old Zn–Pb mine waste heaps in comparison to Trifolium-associated bacteria from a non-polluted reference site. In total, 113 cultivable strains were isolated and used for 16S rRNA gene Sanger sequencing in order to determine their genetic affiliation and for in vitro testing of their plant growth promotion traits. Taxa richness and phenotypic diversity in communities of metalliferous origin were significantly lower (p < 0.0001) compared to those from the reference site. Two strains, Bacillus megaterium BolR EW3_A03 and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia BolN EW3_B03, isolated from a Zn–Pb mine waste heap which tested positive for all examined plant growth promoting traits and which showed co-tolerance to Zn, Cu, Cd, and Pb can be considered as potential facilitators of phytostabilization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fundamental and Applied Research for the Effective Deployment of Phytoremediation)
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20 pages, 3084 KiB  
Article
Ecological Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals along Three Main Drains in Nile Delta and Potential Phytoremediation by Macrophyte Plants
by Yasser A. El-Amier, Giuliano Bonanomi, Saud L. Al-Rowaily and Ahmed M. Abd-ElGawad
Plants 2020, 9(7), 910; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9070910 - 18 Jul 2020
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3432
Abstract
The use of drainage water in the irrigation of agroecosystem is associated with environmental hazards, and can pose threats to human health. Nine heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Co, Cr, Ni, Cd and Pb) along three main drains in the middle Nile [...] Read more.
The use of drainage water in the irrigation of agroecosystem is associated with environmental hazards, and can pose threats to human health. Nine heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Co, Cr, Ni, Cd and Pb) along three main drains in the middle Nile Delta were measures in the sediments, roots and shoots of three common macrophytes (Echinochloa stagnina, Phragmites australis and Typha domingensis). The physicochemical characteristics, as well as the enrichment factor (Ef), contamination factor (Cf), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), ecological risk factor (Er), degree of contamination (Dc) and potential ecological risk index (PERI), were determined for sediment. The metal bioaccumulation factor (BAF) and translocation factor (TF) were assessed for plants. Data revealed high contents of Cr, Zn and Cd in the upstream of the drains, while Mn, Cu and Ni were recorded in high concentrations in the downstream. Mn, Cr, Co, Cu, Ni and Zn were recorded to be within EU (2002), CSQGD (2007) and US EPA (1999) limits, while Cd and Pb showed high a ecological risk index. This high concentration of pollutants could be attributed to unremitting industrial activities, which can bioaccumulate in the food chains and cause serious problems for humans. The root of P. australis showed the effective accumulation of most of the elements, while T. domingensis revealed the highest accumulation of Pb. However, the highest BAF shoot value was found in T. domingensis for most of the heavy metals, except for Fe and Zn in P. australis and Mn in E. stagnina. Thus, P. australis could be used as a potential phytoextractor of these hazardous metals, as an eco-friendly and cost-efficient method for remediation of the polluted drains. Further, T. domingensis could be integrated as a hyperaccumulator of Pb. Strict laws and regulations must be taken into consideration by the policymaker against unmanaged industrial activities, particularly near the water streams in the Nile Delta. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fundamental and Applied Research for the Effective Deployment of Phytoremediation)
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13 pages, 3687 KiB  
Article
Selenium Enhances Cadmium Accumulation Capability in Two Mustard Family Species—Brassica napus and B. juncea
by Zhong-Wei Zhang, Yi-Ying Dong, Ling-Yang Feng, Zong-Lin Deng, Qiang Xu, Qi Tao, Chang-Quan Wang, Yang-Er Chen, Ming Yuan and Shu Yuan
Plants 2020, 9(7), 904; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9070904 - 17 Jul 2020
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 2919
Abstract
Oilseed rape (Brassica napus) is a Cadmium (Cd) hyperaccumulator. However, high-level Cd at the early seedling stage seriously arrests the growth of rape, which limits its applications. Brassica juncea had higher Cd accumulation capacity, but its biomass was lower, also limiting [...] Read more.
Oilseed rape (Brassica napus) is a Cadmium (Cd) hyperaccumulator. However, high-level Cd at the early seedling stage seriously arrests the growth of rape, which limits its applications. Brassica juncea had higher Cd accumulation capacity, but its biomass was lower, also limiting its applications. Previous studies have confirmed that Selenium (Se) can alleviate Cd toxicity. However, the regulatory mechanism of Se in different valence states of Cd accumulation was unclear. In this study, we investigated the ameliorating effects of three Se valence states, Na2SeO4 [Se(VI)], Na2SeO3 [Se(IV)] and Se-Met [Se(II)], to Cd toxicity by physiological and biochemical approaches in hydroponically-cultured Brassica juncea and Brassica napus seedlings. Although Se treatments slightly inhibited seedling Cd concentration, it tripled or quadrupled the Cd accumulation level per plant, because dry weight increased about four times more with Se and Cd application than with Cd treatment alone. Among the different valence states of Se, Se(II) had the most marked effect on reducing Cd toxicity as evidenced by decreased growth inhibition and Cd content. The application of Se(II) was effective in reducing Cd-induced reactive oxygen species accumulation, and promoted the antioxidant enzyme activity and photosynthesis of both Brassica species. In addition, Se(II) treatment increased the concentrations of Cd in the cell wall and soluble fractions, but the Cd concentration in the organelle part was reduced. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fundamental and Applied Research for the Effective Deployment of Phytoremediation)
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27 pages, 2305 KiB  
Article
Phytoremediation Potential, Photosynthetic and Antioxidant Response to Arsenic-Induced Stress of Dactylis glomerata L. Sown on Fly Ash Deposits
by Gordana Gajić, Lola Djurdjević, Olga Kostić, Snežana Jarić, Branka Stevanović, Miroslava Mitrović and Pavle Pavlović
Plants 2020, 9(5), 657; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9050657 - 22 May 2020
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 3371
Abstract
Arsenic (As) from coal fly ash can be released into soil/groundwater, presenting a global threat to the environment and human health. To overcome this environmental problem, phytoremediation represents an urgent need, providing ‘green’ cleanup of contaminated lands. The present study focused on As [...] Read more.
Arsenic (As) from coal fly ash can be released into soil/groundwater, presenting a global threat to the environment and human health. To overcome this environmental problem, phytoremediation represents an urgent need, providing ‘green’ cleanup of contaminated lands. The present study focused on As concentrations in fly ash and plants, evaluation of phytoremediation potential of Dactylis glomerata sown on fly ash deposits together with its photosynthetic activity, and oxidative and antioxidative response to As stress. Field research was carried out on fly ash deposits at the thermal power plant “Nikola Tesla”, Obrenovac (TENT-A, Serbia) and the control site. Fly ash is characterized by alkaline pH reactions, small amounts of organic matter, a large amount of available phosphate, and total and available As concentrations. Results in this study indicate that phosphate application can ameliorate As toxicity, uptake and root-shoot transport. Furthermore, D. glomerata can be considered as good As phytostabilizator, because it retains more As in roots than in leaves. Excess As in leaves decreases photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm) and concentrations of chlorophylls, carotenoids, and anthocyanins, whereas high content of malondialdehyde (MDA) can be a signal for biosynthesis phenolics and ascorbic acid, providing cellular redox homeostasis and recovery of photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry. In the roots, low oxidative stress under high concentrations of As is related to intense antioxidant biosynthesis. Taken together, the results in this study indicate a high adaptive potential of D. glomerata to As stress. These findings may suggest that physiological and metabolic tools can be used as a way forward in the ‘real field’ scenario, phytomanagement of fly ash and ecosystem services providing sustainable phytoremediation of As-contaminated sites around the globe. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fundamental and Applied Research for the Effective Deployment of Phytoremediation)
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17 pages, 1237 KiB  
Article
Bamboo Plantations for Phytoremediation of Pig Slurry: Plant Response and Nutrient Uptake
by Julien Piouceau, Frédéric Panfili, Grégory Bois, Matthieu Anastase, Frédéric Feder, Julien Morel, Véronique Arfi and Laurent Dufossé
Plants 2020, 9(4), 522; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9040522 - 17 Apr 2020
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3749
Abstract
On Réunion Island, a French overseas territory located in the western Indian Ocean, increasing pig livestock farming is generating large quantities of slurry. Most of it is spread on a little agricultural land due to the insular context. Considering the limitation of the [...] Read more.
On Réunion Island, a French overseas territory located in the western Indian Ocean, increasing pig livestock farming is generating large quantities of slurry. Most of it is spread on a little agricultural land due to the insular context. Considering the limitation of the quantities that can be spread on agricultural areas (European “Nitrate Directive” 91/676/EEC), the use of wastewater treatment systems using phytoremediation principles is an attractive option for the pig slurry treatment. A wastewater treatment system using bamboo groves was assessed for the pig slurry treatment. Three field plots were designed on an agricultural area and planted with 40 bamboo clumps on each plot. A total of 67 m3 of pig slurry was spread on two plots in two forms: raw slurry and centrifuged slurry. The latter plot was watered with tap water. The total amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium was 5.3, 1.4 and 5.5 t·ha−1, respectively, for the raw slurry treatment and 4.2, 0.4 and 5.1 t·ha−1, respectively, for the centrifuged slurry treatment. The response of bamboo species to pig slurry application was determined using morphologic parameters, Chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements and biomass yield. Compared to the control, the biomass increased by 1.8 to 6 times, depending on the species and the form of slurry. Depending on the species, the average biomass ranged from 52 to 135 t.DM.ha−1 in two years of experiment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fundamental and Applied Research for the Effective Deployment of Phytoremediation)
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18 pages, 1232 KiB  
Article
Aquatic Plants, Landoltia punctata, and Azolla filiculoides as Bio-Converters of Wastewater to Biofuel
by Ana F. Miranda, N. Ram Kumar, German Spangenberg, Sanjukta Subudhi, Banwari Lal and Aidyn Mouradov
Plants 2020, 9(4), 437; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9040437 - 01 Apr 2020
Cited by 26 | Viewed by 4884
Abstract
The aquatic plants, Azolla filiculoides, and Landoltia punctate, were used as complementing phytoremediators of wastewater containing high levels of phosphate, which simulates the effluents from textile, dyeing, and laundry detergent industries. Their complementarities are based on differences in capacities to uptake [...] Read more.
The aquatic plants, Azolla filiculoides, and Landoltia punctate, were used as complementing phytoremediators of wastewater containing high levels of phosphate, which simulates the effluents from textile, dyeing, and laundry detergent industries. Their complementarities are based on differences in capacities to uptake nitrogen and phosphate components from wastewater. Sequential treatment by L. punctata followed by A. filiculoides led to complete removal of NH4, NO3, and up to 93% reduction of PO4. In experiments where L. punctata treatment was followed by fresh L. punctata, PO4 concentration was reduced by 65%. The toxicity of wastewater assessed by shrimps, Paratya australiensis, showed a four-fold reduction of their mortality (LC50 value) after treatment. Collected dry biomass was used as an alternative carbon source for heterotrophic marine protists, thraustochytrids, which produced up to 35% dry weight of lipids rich in palmitic acid (50% of total fatty acids), the key fatty acid for biodiesel production. The fermentation of treated L. punctata biomass by Enterobacter cloacae yielded up to 2.14 mol H2/mole of reduced sugar, which is comparable with leading terrestrial feedstocks. A. filiculoides and L. punctata can be used as a new generation of feedstock, which can treat different types of wastewater and represent renewable and sustainable feedstock for bioenergy production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fundamental and Applied Research for the Effective Deployment of Phytoremediation)
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16 pages, 2899 KiB  
Article
Copper Uptake and Accumulation, Ultra-Structural Alteration, and Bast Fibre Yield and Quality of Fibrous Jute (Corchorus capsularis L.) Plants Grown under Two Different Soils of China
by Muhammad Hamzah Saleem, Shafaqat Ali, Sana Irshad, Muhammad Hussaan, Muhammad Rizwan, Muhammad Shoaib Rana, Abeer Hashem, Elsayed Fathi Abd_Allah and Parvaiz Ahmad
Plants 2020, 9(3), 404; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9030404 - 24 Mar 2020
Cited by 52 | Viewed by 4041
Abstract
Copper (Cu) is an essential heavy metal for plants, but high Cu concentration in the soil causes phytotoxicity. Some plants, however, possess a system that can overcome Cu toxicity, such as Cu localization, and an active antioxidant defence system to reduce oxidative damage [...] Read more.
Copper (Cu) is an essential heavy metal for plants, but high Cu concentration in the soil causes phytotoxicity. Some plants, however, possess a system that can overcome Cu toxicity, such as Cu localization, and an active antioxidant defence system to reduce oxidative damage induced by high Cu concentration. The present study was conducted to explore the phytoremediation potential, morpho-physiological traits, antioxidant capacity, and fibre quality of jute (Corchorus capsularis) grown in a mixture of Cu-contaminated soil and natural soil at ratios of 0:1 (control), 1:0, 1:1, 1:2 and 1:4. Our results showed that high Cu concentration in the soil decreased plant growth, plant biomass, chlorophyll content, gaseous exchange, and fibre yield while increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS), which indicated oxidative stress induced by high Cu concentration in the soil. Antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxidase dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) scavenge ROS in plant cells/tissues. Furthermore, high Cu concentration did not significantly worsen the fibre quality of C. capsularis, and this plant was able to accumulate a large amount of Cu, with higher Cu accumulation in its shoots than in its roots. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that Cu toxicity affected different organelles of C. capsularis, with the chloroplast as the most affected organelle. On the basis of these results, we concluded that high Cu concentration was toxic to C. capsularis, reducing crop yield and plant productivity, but showing little effect on plant fibre yield. Hence, C. capsularis, as a fibrous crop, can accumulate a high concentration of Cu when grown in Cu-contaminated sites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fundamental and Applied Research for the Effective Deployment of Phytoremediation)
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17 pages, 2041 KiB  
Article
Why Does the Halophyte Mesembryanthemum crystallinum Better Tolerate Ni Toxicity than Brassica juncea: Implication of Antioxidant Defense Systems
by Taoufik Amari, Aymen Souid, Rim Ghabriche, Mauro Porrini, Stanley Lutts, Gian Attilio Sacchi, Chedly Abdelly and Tahar Ghnaya
Plants 2020, 9(3), 312; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9030312 - 02 Mar 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3153
Abstract
The implication of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidative systems in response to Ni was evaluated in the halophyte Mesembryanthemum crystallinum in comparison with the metal tolerant glycophyte species Brassica juncea. Seedlings of both species were hydroponically subjected during 21 days to 0, 25, [...] Read more.
The implication of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidative systems in response to Ni was evaluated in the halophyte Mesembryanthemum crystallinum in comparison with the metal tolerant glycophyte species Brassica juncea. Seedlings of both species were hydroponically subjected during 21 days to 0, 25, 50, and 100 µM NiCl2. Growth parameters showed that the halophyte M. crystallinum was more tolerant to Ni than B. juncea. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content increased to a higher extent in B. juncea than in M. crystallinum. Antioxidant enzymesactivities were differently affected by Ni in both species. Nickel increased shoot superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities in B. juncea, whereas these activities were reduced in M. crystallinum when exposed to metal stress. The root SOD, APX and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) activities increased upon Ni treatments for both species. The content of non-enzymatic antioxidative molecules such as glutathione, non-protein thiols and proline increased in Ni-treated plants, except for GSH content in the shoot of B. juncea. Based on the oxidative balance, our findings confirm the higher tolerance of the halophyte M. crystallinum to Ni-induced oxidative stress comparatively to B. juncea. We suggest that M. crystallinum is able to overcome the produced ROS using the non-enzymatic system, while Ni-induced oxidative stress was more acute in B. juncea, leading this species to mainly use the enzymatic system to protect against reactive oxygen species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fundamental and Applied Research for the Effective Deployment of Phytoremediation)
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23 pages, 4112 KiB  
Article
Influence of Plant Species on Microbial Activity and Denitrifier Population Development in Vegetated Denitrifying Wood-Chip Bioreactors
by Soheil Fatehi-Pouladi, Bruce C. Anderson, Brent Wootton, Sarah J. Wallace, Sonja Bissegger, Lloyd Rozema and Kela P. Weber
Plants 2020, 9(3), 289; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9030289 - 26 Feb 2020
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2423
Abstract
The microbial characteristics of four vegetated and one unplanted wood-chip bioreactors treating greenhouse effluent were investigated in a continuous experiment operated for over 2.5 years. The bioreactors were designed to reduce nitrate concentrations via naturally induced microbial denitrification. The vegetation type and reactor [...] Read more.
The microbial characteristics of four vegetated and one unplanted wood-chip bioreactors treating greenhouse effluent were investigated in a continuous experiment operated for over 2.5 years. The bioreactors were designed to reduce nitrate concentrations via naturally induced microbial denitrification. The vegetation type and reactor depth were both found to be significant factors in defining the mixed microbial activity. However, a consistent correlation between the abundance of the denitrifying communities and reactor depth could not be found across all reactors. The media samples from the unit planted with Typha angustifolia displayed higher microbial activities compared with the other reactors. This plant’s root-associated bacteria also demonstrated the greatest copies of the denitrifying genes nirK and nosZ. The most abundant denitrifier communities and those encoding the nosZ gene were found in the unplanted reactor, followed by the T. angustifolia unit. The T. angustifolia reactor demonstrated greater microbial activity and denitrification capacity at the depth of 20 cm, while the greatest denitrification capacity in the unplanted reactor was found at the depth of 60 cm. These findings indicated the importance of the T. angustifolia rhizosphere to support microbial community establishment and growth in the vicinity of the plant’s roots, although those populations may eventually develop in an unplanted environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fundamental and Applied Research for the Effective Deployment of Phytoremediation)
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11 pages, 1005 KiB  
Article
Potential of Grasses in Phytolith Production in Soils Contaminated with Cadmium
by Múcio Mágno de Melo Farnezi, Enilson de Barros Silva, Lauana Lopes dos Santos, Alexandre Christofaro Silva, Paulo Henrique Grazziotti, Jeissica Taline Prochnow, Israel Marinho Pereira and Ivan da Costa Ilhéu Fontan
Plants 2020, 9(1), 109; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9010109 - 15 Jan 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2596
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is a very toxic heavy metal occurring in places with anthropogenic activities, making it one of the most important environmental pollutants. Phytoremediation plants are used for recovery of metal-contaminated soils by their ability to absorb and tolerate high concentrations of heavy [...] Read more.
Cadmium (Cd) is a very toxic heavy metal occurring in places with anthropogenic activities, making it one of the most important environmental pollutants. Phytoremediation plants are used for recovery of metal-contaminated soils by their ability to absorb and tolerate high concentrations of heavy metals. This paper aims to evaluate the potential of grasses in phytolith production in soils contaminated with Cd. The experiments, separated by soil types (Typic Quartzipsamment, Xanthic Hapludox and Rhodic Hapludox), were conducted in a completely randomized design with a distribution of treatments in a 3 × 4 factorial scheme with three replications. The factors were three grasses (Urochloa decumbens, Urochloa brizantha and Megathyrsus maximus) and four concentrations of Cd applied in soils (0, 2, 4 and 12 mg kg−1). Grass growth decreased and increased Cd concentration in shoots of grasses with the increased Cd rates in soils. The toxic effect of Cd resulted in production and Cd occlusion in phytoliths produced in shoots of the grasses. Grasses showed potential for phytolith production, independent of soil type, providing phytoextraction of Cd in phytoliths. Megathyrsus maximus was the grass with the highest tolerance to Cd, evidenced by higher production and Cd capture in phytoliths for the evaluated soils. Phytolith production by grasses in Cd-contaminated soils is related to genetic and physiological differences of the evaluated grasses and Cd availability in soils. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fundamental and Applied Research for the Effective Deployment of Phytoremediation)
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Review

Jump to: Research

16 pages, 1733 KiB  
Review
Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.): A Potential Candidate for Phytoremediation? Biological and Economical Points of View
by Muhammad Hamzah Saleem, Shafaqat Ali, Saddam Hussain, Muhammad Kamran, Muhammad Sohaib Chattha, Shoaib Ahmad, Muhammad Aqeel, Muhammad Rizwan, Nada H. Aljarba, Saad Alkahtani and Mohamed M. Abdel-Daim
Plants 2020, 9(4), 496; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9040496 - 13 Apr 2020
Cited by 105 | Viewed by 11780
Abstract
Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is an important oil seed crop that is mostly cultivated in temperate climates. In addition to many commercial applications, flax is also used as a fibrous species or for livestock feed (animal fodder). For the last 40 years, [...] Read more.
Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is an important oil seed crop that is mostly cultivated in temperate climates. In addition to many commercial applications, flax is also used as a fibrous species or for livestock feed (animal fodder). For the last 40 years, flax has been used as a phytoremediation tool for the remediation of different heavy metals, particularly for phytoextraction when cultivated on metal contaminated soils. Among different fibrous crops (hemp, jute, ramie, and kenaf), flax represents the most economically important species and the majority of studies on metal contaminated soil for the phytoextraction of heavy metals have been conducted using flax. Therefore, a comprehensive review is needed for a better understanding of the phytoremediation potential of flax when grown in metal contaminated soil. This review describes the existing studies related to the phytoremediation potential of flax in different mediums such as soil and water. After phytoremediation, flax has the potential to be used for additional purposes such as linseed oil, fiber, and important livestock feed. This review also describes the phytoremediation potential of flax when grown in metal contaminated soil. Furthermore, techniques and methods to increase plant growth and biomass are also discussed in this work. However, future research is needed for a better understanding of the physiology, biochemistry, anatomy, and molecular biology of flax for increasing its pollutant removal efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fundamental and Applied Research for the Effective Deployment of Phytoremediation)
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