Plants growing in a mining area: screening for metal accumulator plants possibly useful for bioremediation

A field study was conducted in an iron mine in Hamedan (Iran) to find native accumulator plants and to evaluate the extent of metal bioaccumulation in the naturally growing vegetation. The concentrations of total As, Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Si, and Zn were found to be higher in the mine than in soil. These plants accumulated the highest amounts of the following metals in their roots: Euphorbia cheiradenia As, Stipa barbata Cd, Pb and Cr, Euphorbia macroclada Cu, Centaurea iberica Fe, Reseda lutea Mo, Salvia spinosa Ni and Zn, and Xanthium strumarium Se. In the aerial parts, the highest metal accumulation was found in Epilobium fragilis As, Carthamus oxyacantha Cd, Fe, Mn, and Pb, Verbascum speciosum Cu, Centaurea iberica Mo, Salvia spinosa Ni and Cr, Glaucium grandiflorum Se, and Malva neglecta Zn. Enrichment factors and bioconcentration factors were also determined; C. oxyacantha, S. spinosa, M. neglecta, C. iberica, V. speciosum, G. grandiflorum, and E. fragilis are the most effective accumulators and are proposed for phytoremediation of polluted soils.     

Investigation of correlativity between heavy metals concentration in indigenous plants and combined pollution soils

The accumulation of heavy metals (HMs) in soils is potentially hazardous to human, livestock and plant species. HMs in the combined pollution soils and indigenous plants were investigated in a non-ferrous metal-smelting area. The purpose of this study was to determine the HMs in the contaminated soil and different plant species found growing on it, as well as calculation of bioaccumulation coefficients (BACs). Representative sampling sites were identified according to the land-use types. A total of 12 surface soil samples and 32 plant samples were collected. HMs were analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The levels of soil pollution were assessed using Nemerow’s synthetical contamination index method. The synthetical index was in the range of 16.81–198.11. This result indicated a heavy burden on local environment. HM concentrations in plants were directly related with soil concentrations. The average BACs of five metals were found in the order of Cd (0.309)?>?Zn (0.178)?≈?Pb (0.160)?>?Cu (0.105)?>?Sb (0.0672). Spontaneous weeds including Chenopodium album Linn, Kochia scoparia and trees of Leuce, Ulmus pumila were deemed HM accumulators. The results provided a practical basis for phytoremediation of HM-contaminated soils using accumulator species.     

重金属积累对土壤酶活性的影响

研究了华北平原某铅冶炼厂附近农田33个土壤样品中重金属积累对土壤酶活性的影响。结果表明,样品中Pb和Cd全量的平均值分别为144和5.59mg·kg-1,DTPA态Pb和Cd含量平均值分别为54.1和0.964mg·kg-1,均超过了未污染农田潮土的正常范围,而Cu、Ni和Zn的有效性和全量与未污染土壤接近;土壤过氧化氢酶活性与DTPA态Pb和Cd含量、全Pb含量均呈显著的负线性关系(P<0.01);与磷酸酶和脲酶相比,土壤脱氢酶活性更易受到土壤中Pb和Cd积累的影响;随DTPA-Ni含量增加,土壤蛋白酶和碱性磷酸酶活性增加(P<0.1);土壤脲酶活性与重金属全量或有效态重金属含量无显著相关性(P>0.1)。以上结果说明,利用土壤过氧化氢酶和脱氢酶活性能够表征基本性质较为一致的土壤中重金属污染程度;与重金属全量相比,有效态重金属对土壤酶活性影响更大。     

Biokinetic modeling of heavy metals in earthworms

Studies concerning bioaccumulation kinetics and bioconcentration factor (BCF) of heavy metals like zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), and copper (Cu) in earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae tissues including integument, gizzard, clitellum, and head region were undertaken. Calculated BCF, predicted K _ow, and predicted K _oc showed a significant correlation between heavy metals in different earthworm tissues, in substrate spiked with heavy metals. The regression coefficient (r ²) between heavy metal uptake concentration and exposure time varied between 0.73 and 0.99, indicating significant correlation. The K _oc was a maximum of 13.9016 in case of Cu and integument at an exposure time of 100 days and a minimum of 0.1114 in case of Cr with respect to head at the same exposure time. Earthworms accumulated heavy metals following chronic exposure to municipal solid waste containing heavy metals. BCF and uptake rate kinetics of heavy metals were calculated and showed increased values in head tissue followed by integument.     

Toxicity and bioaccumulation of heavy metals in mullet fish Liza klunzingeri (Mugilidae: Perciformes)

The mullet fish, Liza klunzingeri, commercially important and widely relished by Kuwaiti residents, and the stressed ecosystem in Kuwait Bay instigated us to conduct toxicity and bioaccumulation tests on heavy metals (Pb, Ni, V, Cu and Fe). Among five metals, Pb had the lowest observed effect concentration (LOEC) at 1 μg?l ^?1. Using multi-factor Probit analysis, toxicity tests (72 h) on L. klunzingeri reared in filtered sea water in the laboratory showed Pb with maximum effect at median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) followed by V, Ni, Cu and Fe. Their bioaccumulation factor (BAF) was in the sequence Pb>V>Fe>Cu and Ni. For fish exposed for 30 d, bioaccumulation exhibited increasing metal levels in liver followed by gills and muscles. These results suggest the potential use of L. klunzingeri as a bioindicator of metal pollution in the future.     

Effects of mutual intercropping on Pb and Zn accumulation of accumulator plants Rumex nepalensis,Lolium perenne and Trifolium repens

Intercropping is one of the most potential ways to remediate contaminated soil. In this study, three plants, including Rumex nepalensis which is a lead (Pb) accumulator plant, Lolium perenne which is tolerant to zinc (Zn) and a native plant Trifolium repens, were mutually intercropped in pots to study the effects of intercropping on co-remediation of Pb-Zn-contaminated soil from the Tangjia lead-zinc mine. Compared to the respective monoculture, the dry weights of R. nepalensis and T. repens were decreased under intercropping, while that of L. perenne was increased. The concentrations of total Zn in the three plants were increased by intercropping in which roots were higher than shoots. Besides, intercropping increased the accumulation of Zn in R. nepalensis and L. perenne per plant. The accumulations of heavy metals for R. nepalensis and T. repens in a single pot were enhanced by intercropping. Both of the maximum values of heavy metals’ accumulation were produced by three-species intercropping (7819.31?μg/pot for Pb, 12576.05 μg/pot for Zn) in terms of a single pot. These results indicated that three-species intercropping could promote the phytoremediation efficiency for Tangjia lead-zinc mine, and thus further proved intercropping is an effective method to remediate the Pb-Zn-contaminated soil by R. nepalensis and T. repens.     

Assessment of metals in soil extracts and their uptake and movement within Tamarix nilotica at Lake Nasser banks,Egypt

This study aims to determine heavy-metal levels in soil from the banks of Lake Nasser, the ability of Tamarix nilotica to accumulate such metals from soil and hence its potential for phytoextraction. Soil and Tamarix samples were collected from the banks of four bights around Lake Nasser and analysed for Fe, Mn, Ca, Mg, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, Cd and Pb by atomic absorption spectrometry, whereas Na and K were measured by atomic emission spectrophotometry. Three different methods of extraction were used for the soil samples. Lead, copper and zinc were equally distributed between the exchangeable phase and Fe/Mn oxide-bound form, while other measured metals were mainly present in the Fe/Mn oxide fraction. With the exception of iron, all metals studied showed total concentrations within the geochemical background values. T. nilotica exhibited elevated concentrations of Na (36.2–48.5?mg?g^?1) and K (2.74–4.33?mg?g^?1) in stems, and relatively high concentrations of Pb, Cd and Co (0.39–1.03?µg?g^?1, 0.24–1.3?µg?g^?1 and 1.94–5.3?µg?g^?1, respectively) are found in plant leaves. Bioaccumulation factors of Na and K (9.3 and 12.63, respectively) were high in T. nilotica stems. While the bioaccumulation of Pb, Cd, Co and Ni (2870.1, 2035.4, 10.5 and 5313.2, respectively) was high in plant leaves, Fe, Mn, Ca and Mg were accumulated relatively equally in plant stems and leaves. T. nilotica was found to secrete high amounts of Na, Ca and K, in addition to small amounts of all accumulated metals except Cd and Cu. These secreted metals appeared as salt crystals (67.5% Na; 25.8% Ca; 5% Mg; 1.5% K and 0.16% trace and minor elements) on the plant surface. The concentrations of all the metals studied in T. nilotica were higher than in the salt crystals. Statistical analysis of the database suggests bioaccumulation of these metals from soil to T. nilotica. This reflects the importance of using T. nilotica as a model in the phytoremediation process as an established environmental clean-up technology.     

Heavy metal pollution in soil and plants at bone char site

This study determined the heavy metal concentration in soil and plants at a bone char site in Umuahia, Nigeria. Soil and plant samples collected in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) were analyzed for zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), and arsenic (As). The concentration of metals in soil and plants in the vicinity of the bone char site are as follows: Zn (172?mg?kg^?1) and Ni (0.62?mg?kg^?1) in soil were highest at site P₃, Pb (2.37?mg?kg^?1) and As (0.08?mg?kg^?1) at site P₁, and Cd (18.30?mg?kg^?1) at site P₂. In plants, the concentrations of Zn (41.17?mg?kg^?1) and Cd (3?mg?kg^?1) were highest in Albizia ferruginea, Ni in Dialium guineense (0.09?mg?kg^?1), while Pb was in D. guineense (0.08?mg?kg^?1) and Spathodea companulata (0.06?mg?kg^?1). The levels of Zn, Cd, Pb, Ni, and As in soil ranged from 11.2 to 172, 2.68 to 18.2, 0.026 to 2.37, 0.33 to 0.62, and 0.02 to 0.08?mg?kg^?1, respectively. In plants, the concentration of Zn, Cd, Pb, and Ni ranged from 2.01 to 41.17, 0.12 to 3, 0.02 to 0.08, and 0.03 to 0.09?mg?kg^?1, respectively. There were significant correlations between Zn and Cd, and Pb and As in soil. The high concentration of Cd in soil might affect soil productivity.     

4种鸢尾属植物对铅锌矿区土壤中重金属的富集特征和修复潜力

通过野外调查和实地修复铅锌矿污染土壤试验,研究了铅锌矿区排污渠污水及底泥中Pb、Zn、Cu、Cd含量和分布特征以及4种鸢尾属植物马蔺（Iris lactea var.chinensis）、黄菖蒲（Iris pseudacorus L.）、溪荪（Iris sanguinea Donn ex Horn.）、花菖蒲（Iris ensata Thunb.）对Pb、Zn、Cu、Cd的积累能力和土壤修复效率差异。结果表明,离污染源越近,重金属污染越严重。Pb、Zn、Cu、Cd4种重金属均大部分沉积在排污水渠的底泥中,污水中Pb严重污染,超标达120倍,底泥中Pb、Zn、Cu、Cd质量分数分别超标1.5倍、1.7倍、1.6倍和1.7倍。排污渠岸土壤Pb、Zn、Cu、Cd质量分数也明显超过了国家规定的土壤环境质量Ⅱ级标准1～5倍。种植4种鸢尾属植物后,土壤中Pb、Zn、Cu、Cd质量分数有所降低。其中,种植马蔺1个月后土壤Pb、Cu、Cd修复效率分别为8.13%、2.45%和22.3%。黄菖蒲和花菖蒲对Zn的修复效率相对较高。4种鸢尾属植物中马蔺对Pb、Cd的吸收能力最强,马蔺地上部（叶、茎）Pb质量分数达983mg·kg-1,且转运系数大于1,是一种潜在的Pb积累植物,黄菖蒲、溪荪和花菖蒲对Zn的吸收能力较强,且吸收的重金属主要积累在根系。     

Bioconcentration of Cd and Ni in various tissues of two marine bivalves living in different habitats and exposed to heavily polluted seawater

Two marine bivalves, Mytilus galloprovincialis and Callista chione, were exposed to various concentrations of cadmium and nickel (0.5, 1.0, 2.5 and 20 ppm), for 20 days, plus 10 days’ depuration period, in a laboratory experiment. Animals from each experimental condition were dissected and the bioaccumulation and distribution of Cd and Ni were determined in their gills, mantles and remaining bodies. The concentrations of Fe and Zn were also measured. Heavy metal tolerance, bioconcentration and distribution of heavy metals in tissues were considerably different in M. galloprovincialis and C. chione: (i) both animals were tolerant to Ni pollution, even at the highest concentration used; (ii) C. chione was more tolerant to Cd; (iii) M. galloprovincialis was a better Cd and Ni accumulator, with the exception of the highest Cd concentration tested, where C. chione accumulated more Cd; (iv) Fe and Zn levels were much more affected in M. galloprovincialis; (v) in general, accumulation and distribution of Ni and Cd in the tissues were metal-, species- and time of exposure- dependent; (vi) significant amounts of heavy metals remained in the tissues after 10 days’ depuration. Our results support a hypothesis for a two competing processes mechanism for metal accumulation and detoxification.     

Stabilization of metal processing plant sludge via sequential application of phytoremediation and pyrolysis

The aim of this study is to evaluate the metal removal ability of three different plants from metal processing sludge containing Pb, Cd, and Zn. Therefore, phytoremediation and pyrolysis were sequentially applied. In the phytoremediation applications, sunflower (Helianthus annuus), corn (Zea mays), and rape (Brassica napus) seeds were sown in sludge/soil mixtures at four different levels (25/75, 50/50, 75/25, 100/0). The chelating agent, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, was added to the mixtures for plant uptake during phytoremediation. At the phytoremediation stage, it was noted that rape was the most effective plant for the mixture of 75/25 sludge/soil, with metal removal efficiencies ranging between 80%–90%. At the pyrolysis stage, after harvesting, contaminated plants grown in a 75/25 sludge/soil mixture were pyrolyzed at 500 °C, with a heating rate of 35 °C/min. The results show that 60%–90% of the initial metal content was held by the solid product. In addition to this, it can be concluded that pyrolysis stabilizes metals into a solid product and that this solid product can be safely landfilled as inert waste since its toxicity leaching value is lower than the limit values.     

A study on the accumulation of nine heavy metals in some important fish species from a natural reservoir in Riyadh,Saudi Arabia

Concentrations of nine heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mn, As, and Fe) in the muscles of four fish species (O. niloticus, C. gariepinus, P. latipinna, and A. d. dispar) collected from the Riyadh River were detected using atomic absorption spectrophotometry in two different seasons in 2012. The concentrations of the studied heavy metals except Cd, Pb, Ni, and Cu in Aphanius d. dispar and Poecilia latipinna were found to be below the safe limits suggested by various authorities. This study also showed that Zn was predominant, while Cr was least accumulated metal in the studied fish muscles. Data demonstrated that there was a significant variation in the heavy-metal concentrations in different fish species in the Riyadh River. Significant positive correlations between heavy-metal concentrations in fish muscles were also found both in pre- and post-monsoon seasons. Metal pollution index was calculated to distinguish polluted from unpolluted ecosystems based upon current knowledge of metal bioavailability, bioconcentration, and bioaccumulation patterns. From the human health point of view, this study showed that there was a possible health risk to consumers due to the intake of Aphanius d. dispar and Poecilia latipinna under the current consumption rate in the country.     

Heavy metal contamination of soil,and bioaccumulation in vegetables irrigated with treated waste water in the tropical city of Varanasi,India

The present study was conducted to determine the heavy metal contamination in soil with accumulation in plants in waste water irrigated areas. Results revealed that waste water contained lower concentrations of Cr, Zn, Cu, and Pb except Cd (0.03) than the permissible limits prescribed by the World Health Organization. The maximum metal concentrations occurred in Brassica oleracea (Zn 63.80, Cu 12.25, Cr 10.65, Pb 3.63, and Cd 0.56 mg Kg^?1).The metal enrichment (EF of Cd 1.9, Cr2.9, Zn 4.8, Cu 6.5, and Pb 15.5) and degree of contamination (CF of Cd 2.9, Cr 2.0, Zn 2.3, Cu 2.7, and Pb 2.2) showed that accumulation of the five toxic metals increased during sewage irrigation as compared with the reference values, other Indian regions and globally. However, based on WHO standards for heavy metal contamination of soil and irrigation water, our data does not ensure safe levels for food.     

Heavy metals in the polychaete Glycera longipinnis from the southwest of India

Metal concentrations in sediment and in whole tissue of the benthic polychaete Glycera longipinnis collected along the southwest coast of India were analysed. Relative seasonal accumulation of metals (Cu, Pb, Cr, Ni, Zn, Cd, Hg) was studied by categorising the habitat as less polluted or highly polluted based on metal contamination routed through industrial and urban sources. The metal content in tissues varied seasonally in the ranges, Cu: 2.21–27.08 μg·g^?1, Pb: 0.06–4.92 μg·g^?1, Cr: 1.73–29.20 μg·g^?1, Ni: 1.60–4.61 μg·g^?1, Zn: 14.72–82.30 μg·g^?1, Cd: 0.04–1.38 μg·g^?1and Hg: below decetable limits to 0.86 μg·g^?1. Concentration of heavy metals was found to be high in the whole body of G. longipinnis pooled from the polluted transects. The results of this study suggest that G. longipinnis may act as a useful biological indicator for heavy metal pollution along the southwest coast of India.     

Effects of melatonin on cadmium accumulation in the accumulator plant Perilla frutescens

To enhance the phytoremediation ability of the heavy metal accumulator Perilla frutescens, melatonin (MT) was applied at different concentrations (0, 25, 50, 100, 150, and 200?μmol/L) to P. frutescens growing in cadmium (Cd) contaminated soil (10?mg/kg). The MT treatments increased the root and shoot biomasses of P. frutescens, with the maximum increase in the 150?μmol/L MT treatment (79.51% and 36.18% higher, respectively, than those of the control). The MT treatments also enhanced superoxide dismutase activity, peroxidase activity, and the soluble protein concentration of P. frutescens, and 100–200?μmol/L MT increased the chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll concentrations in P. frutescens. The MT treatments increased the Cd concentrations in roots and shoots of P. frutescens in a dose-dependent manner. Different MT concentrations increased the Cd accumulation amounts of roots and shoots of P. frutescens, with the maxima accumulation amounts in the 150?μmol/L MT treatment (226.98% and 85.89% higher, respectively, than those of the control). These results show that MT can promote the growth and phytoremediation ability of P. frutescens growing in Cd-contaminated soil, and the optimum MT dose is 150?μmol/L.     

A homogeneous and low-cost biosorbent for Cd,Pb and Cu removal from aqueous effluents

Heavy metal pollution of aqueous effluents is a matter of widespread concern. The use of low-cost materials for the adsorption of heavy metals seems to be a suitable choice for waste water treatment. Polyporus tenuiculus, easily cultivated on lignocellulosic waste, was assayed for Cu, Pb and Cd removal from aqueous solutions. Pb was removed more efficiently. Kinetics studies suggested a pseudo-second-order reaction and equilibrium was reached in ～ 30 min in all cases. The metal-sorption data were analysed according to several two-parameter isotherms. Data better fitted the Langmuir model for the three metals. A great dependence of metal adsorption with pH was observed. Characterisation of both the biomass and the complex metal-biomass was performed by FT-IR and SEM-EDX. Results suggest an ion exchange mechanism.     

宝鸡城市街尘、土壤及河流沉积物重金属形态迁移特征

在宝鸡城市街尘、土壤及河流沉积物基本理化性质和重金属元素含量分析的基础上,重点研究了重金属元素在街尘、土壤及河流沉积物中的赋存形态和迁移特征.结果表明:在街尘中Cu主要以可氧化态和残余态形式存在,Pb主要以可还原态和可氧化态形式存在,Zn和Cd主要以乙酸可提取态形式存在,Mn、Fe、Co、Ni和Cr主要以残余态形式存在...     

Effects of microbial inoculations and surfactant levels on biologically- and chemically-assisted phytoremediation of lead-contaminated soil by maize (Zea Mays L.)

Assisted phytoremediation has been widely used for decontamination of potentially toxic elements contaminated soils. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of different microbial inoculations and surfactant levels on the phytoremediation of a Pb-polluted calcareous soil by maize. The results showed that application of surfactant increased both root and shoot dry matter yields. Microbial inoculations, however, had no significant effect on the root or shoot dry matter yield. Mean Pb uptake in maize root or shoot increased only following the application of some surfactant levels. Inoculation with microorganisms significantly increased both mean Pb concentration and uptake in maize root but not in maize shoot. Application of 4?mmol surfactant kg?1 along with inoculation with Priformospora indica was effective in increasing Pb phytostabilisation potential. While the application of 2?mmol surfactant kg^?1 along with inoculation with Pseudomonas fluorescens was effective in increasing Pb phytoextraction potential. The fact that the values of translocation efficiencies were low in all treatments, demonstrated the low capability of maize for translocation of Pb from root to shoot. Inoculation with P. fluorescens was the most effective treatment in increasing metal micronutrient uptake. Microbial inoculation and surfactant levels enhanced Pb phytoremediation mostly through phytostabilisation of this metal by maize.     

Chemical analysis of tobacco cigarette for organochlorine insecticides and heavy metal composition

The effects of cigarette smoking on smokers and the environment were investigated by analyzing some cigarette brands available to Nigerian smokers for the presence of some of the widely used organochlorine (OC) pesticides and heavy metals. OC pesticide residues were extracted from tobacco smoke, separated and identified using column chromatographic and thin layer chromatographic techniques respectively, while ashed and unashed commercial cigarettes were analyzed for heavy metals – Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu, and Co using atomic absorption spectrometry. TLC data indicated that dieldrin and p,p′-DDD were present in some of the cigarette brands. The results of heavy metal analysis showed that the levels of some toxic heavy metals and pollution index were higher in unashed cigarettes than corresponding ashes. Evidence suggests that significant amounts of these toxic metals are inhaled by the smoker and/or released into the environment in the process of cigarette smoking, thus confirming that cigarette smoking is harmful to the environment and human health.     

Heavy metal concentration in water,sediment, and tissues of fish species (Heteropneustis fossilis and Puntius ticto) from Kali River,India

The river Kali has been one of the major recipients of industrial effluents in the Muzaffarnagar district of western Uttar Pradesh. The present studies revealed the occurrence and bioaccumulation of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Pb, Zn, Mn) in riverine water, sediment, and muscles of two fish species, Heteropneustis fossilis and Puntius ticto. Data showed that the order of occurrence of heavy metals was Pb > Zn > Mn > Cr > Cd in river water, Mn > Zn > Pb > Cr > Cd in sediment, Zn > Mn > Cr > Cd > Pb in Puntius ticto and Cr > Zn > Mn > Cd > Pb in Heteropneustis fossilis. Results indicate that the concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Zn in river water, Pb, Zn, and Mn in sediment, Cd, Cr, Pb, and Zn concentration in muscles of Puntius ticto and Cr, Pb, and Zn concentration in in muscles of Heteropneustis fossilis are higher than the permissible standard limits. The presence of heavy metals contributed to toxicity in different organs of fish in River Kali. The bioaccumulation of heavy metals in different biotic organisms in river ecosystem may have adverse consequences on humans and livestock.