不同泥源对厌氧氨氧化反应器启动的影响

采用2套上流式生物膜反应器,分别接种少量厌氧氨氧化污泥和大量硝化污泥,考察其对厌氧氨氧化反应器启动的影响。污泥接种入反应器后,测得接种厌氧氨氧化污泥的反应器(R1)内MLSS为0.22 g/L,另一个反应器(R2)MLSS为2.7 g/L。与直接接种厌氧氨氧化污泥相比,R1经过72 d的运行才显现出厌氧氨氧化特性。经过114 d的培养,前者氮去除速率由0.23 kg/(m3.d)提升到5.29 kg/(m3.d),总氮去除率大于89%;R2的氮去除速率由0.01 kg/(m3.d)提升到1.1 kg/(m3.d),总氮去除率大于84.6%。说明普通污泥启动需要一个较长的筛选过程,直接接种少量的厌氧氨氧化污泥比接种普通的污泥能够更快启动厌氧氨氧化反应器。     

改良型UASB厌氧氨氧化反应器运行效能对比

为探究组合启动模式实现厌氧氨氧化反应器高效启动和稳定运行的可行性,分别采用接种短程硝化污泥结合提高进水基质(A)和接种厌氧氨氧化污泥结合缩短水力停留时间(B)2种组合方式启动改良型UASB厌氧氨氧化反应器,对反应器启动效果进行研究,并通过改变进水基质比和低温冲击探究启动成功后的反应器性能。结果表明:A反应器启动成功时的总氮去除负荷(NRR)为0.520 kg·(m~3·d)~(-1)、亚硝化单胞菌Nitrosomonas相对丰度大幅下降、主要厌氧氨氧化菌属由Candidatus Kuenenia转化为Candidatus Brocadia;而B反应器NRR达到1.950 kg·(m~3·d)~(-1)、Candidatus Kuenenia始终为优势菌属。随着进水基质比的提高,B反应器的NRR和上升幅度始终高于A反应器,具有更强的抗负荷能力。当温度由35℃下降至15℃时,A和B反应器污泥对基质的降解速率分别下降92.94%和81.38%;温度恢复至35℃后,A反应器污泥降解速率的回升率大于B反应器污泥。因此,接种厌氧氨氧化污泥和缩短水力停留时间的组合方式更有利于改良型UASB厌氧氨氧化反应器的高效启动和稳定运行。     

高基质浓度下厌氧氨氧化反应器的启动过程

采用3套厌氧序批式生物膜反应器,研究了高基质浓度对厌氧氨氧化反应器启动过程的影响。经过50 d左右培养,3个反应器氮容积去除负荷均达到0.23 kg N/(m3.d)。但是随着氮容积负荷的提高,反应器内pH也随之升高,最终超过了厌氧氨氧化菌最适生长条件,3个反应器脱氮效果逐渐下降。然后分别通过降低浓度、延长水力停留时间的方式对其脱氮效能进行恢复性研究。结果表明高基质浓度不利于厌氧氨氧化反应器脱氮能力的增强。采用低基质浓度的方式提高反应器氮容积去除负荷时,脱氮效能不仅得到了恢复,而且能够提高到0.45 kg N/(m3.d)。说明低基质难度比高基质浓度更有利于厌氧氨氧化脱氮效能的提高。     

ANAMMOX与反硝化协同作用及氮素负荷研究

向成功启动并稳定运行630 d后的UASB生物膜反应器系统连续添加有机物,分析其对厌氧氨氧化反应脱氮效果的影响,并进行氮素浓度负荷试验.在厌氧氨氧化反应器系统中连续投加有机COD(葡萄糖),系统运行稳定,有机COD(葡萄糖)存在对系统去除氮素能力影响不大,有机COD去除率达到92.0%,仅用23 d,在同一反应器系统中成功实现了厌氧氨氧化与反硝化协同作用脱氮.氮素浓度负荷试验阶段,进水氨氮(NH 4-N)、亚硝氮(NO-2-N)以及总氮(TN)浓度负荷分别从0.063 kg/(m3·d)和0.063 kg/(m3·d)和0.126 kg/(m3·d)提升到了0.239 kg/(m3·d)、0.315 kg/(m3·d)和0.554 kg/(m3·d),相应去除率分别为84.0%、93.0%和85.0%,厌氧氨氧化工艺的UASB生物膜反应器对氮素浓度负荷仍有很大提升空间.     

快速启动厌氧氨氧化用于老龄垃圾渗滤液脱氮及其机理分析

基于短程硝化处理后的老龄垃圾渗滤液,含有大量难降解有机污染物,且氨氮和化学需氧量浓度高,C/N比低等特点。本研究以厌氧硝化污泥作为接种污泥,采用升流式厌氧污泥床反应器(UASB),快速启动厌氧氨氧化反应,对其进行深度脱氮。探究启动厌氧氨氧化反应的最佳条件和脱氮性能,根据污泥形貌特征和微生物群落结构的变化,阐明厌氧氨氧化的作用机理。结果表明,厌氧氨氧化快速启动最佳条件：温度为(30±1)℃、初始pH为7.5、NO₂^-/NH₄⁺为1.25～1.50、无外加碳源和MLSS为4 200 mg·L^-1。历经60 d后,厌氧氨氧化成功启动,进水TN容积负荷最高为0.45 kg·(m³·d)^-1,TN容积负荷去除速率最高为0.36 kg·(m³·d)^-1,NH₄⁺-N、NO₂^--N和TN去除率超过80%。同时,UASB...     

ASBR厌氧氨氧化反应器的快速启动及脱氮原理分析

以城市生活污水为基本水质进行配水,采用ASBR研究了厌氧氨氧化反应器的快速启动过程及脱氮性能。实验条件如下:T为(35±1)℃、HRT为24 h、pH为7.2～7.5,进水NH4+-N、NO2--N浓度为40～160 mg/L,TN负荷为0.08～0.34 kg TN/(m3.d),按2∶1比例混合接种好氧短程硝化污泥和厌氧氨氧化污泥,经49 d运行成功启动厌氧氨氧化反应器,并实现稳定运行。实验结果表明:稳定运行期NH4+-N、NO2--N去除率分别达96%和98%;NH4+-N、NO2--N去除量与NO3--N生成量比值为1∶1.05∶0.29,较为接近理论值;成功启动的反应器出水pH高于进水;系统TN去除率平均值为79.7%;反应器内存在反硝化与厌氧氨氧化的协同作用,实现了部分COD去除;污泥由深棕色絮状变成红褐色颗粒状,经SEM扫描电镜观察污泥菌群种类单一,多为球状菌,有漏斗状缺口,具有典型氨氧化菌形态特征。     

污泥接种策略与联氨促进垃圾渗滤液厌氧氨氧化工艺快速启动及其运行效果

针对厌氧氨氧化工艺启动速度慢及在垃圾渗滤液中脱氮效率低的问题,探究了厌氧氨氧化工艺在处理高氨氮、低C/N比垃圾渗滤液中的快速启动及稳定运行策略。结果表明,厌氧氨氧化工艺接种反硝化污泥:anammox颗粒污泥=9:1的启动效果最佳,100 d时TN去除率可达75.1%。但由于垃圾渗滤液中COD较高,异养反硝化菌生长迅速且严重影响厌氧氨氧化菌活性。通过投加6 mg·L^-1的N₂H₄之后,异养反硝化菌活性受到抑制,反应器内厌氧氨氧菌占据主导地位,Candidatus Kuenenia菌相对丰度由0.2%提升到10.6%,TN去除率及氮去除速率分别达90.6%和0.143 kg·(kg·d)^-1以上。在厌氧氨氧化工艺中投加适量N₂H₄可实现垃圾渗滤液的稳定高效自养脱氮。     

厌氧氨氧化耦合异养反硝化的脱氮性能及污泥性状

通过连续实验和血清瓶批式实验研究了厌氧氨氧化耦合异养反硝化的代谢特性。在pH 7.8、温度25℃左右、水力停留时间1.5 h和苯酚浓度18.82 mg/L的条件下,耦合反应器能长期稳定运行。结果表明,NH+4-N、NO-2-N去除率高达100%,TN去除率为87.51%。消耗的NH+4-N、NO-2-N与生成的NO-3-N之比为1∶1.49∶0.12,平均总氮容积负荷为2.53 kg/(m3·d),平均总氮去除负荷可达2.26 kg/(m3·d)。系统内异养反硝化与厌氧氨氧化存在协同和竞争关系,总氮的去除是异养反硝化菌和厌氧氨氧化菌共同作用的结果。耦合系统中ANAMMOX对TN去除贡献率达到86.72%,异养反硝化对TN去除贡献率达到13.28%(其中以NO-2-N为电子受体的反硝化比例为7.16%,以NO-3-N为电子受体的反硝化比例为5.89%)。污泥性状研究表明,颗粒污泥存在3种形式:一种是ANAMMOX颗粒污泥;一种是苯酚反硝化颗粒污泥;一种是ANAMMOX菌外面包裹苯酚反硝化菌的颗粒污泥。另外,颗粒污泥的无机组分较高。污泥扫描电镜照片显示厌氧氨氧化菌为球状,反硝化菌为短杆状。     

低温胁迫下Ca2+对厌氧氨氧化污泥脱氮效能影响研究

为了解决厌氧氨氧化(ANAMMOX)污泥在低温下脱氮效能较低的问题,采用上流式厌氧污泥床(UASB)反应器,通过投加不同浓度的Ca~(2+),考察低温胁迫下Ca~(2+)对ANAMMOX污泥脱氮效能及特性的影响。结果表明:低温胁迫下ANAMMOX污泥脱氮效能明显降低,当Ca~(2+)投加量为0mmol/L时,氨氮、亚硝态氮去除率分别降至50%、54%,UASB反应器的TN去除负荷最低为0.094kg/(m~3·d);投加一定Ca~(2+)对ANAMMOX反应有正面促进作用,在最佳Ca~(2+)投加量(0.04mmol/L)下,氨氮、亚硝态氮去除率可分别提高至65%、68%,TN去除负荷提高至接近0.200kg/(m~3·d),脱氮效能是未投加Ca~(2+)时的2倍左右,但Ca~(2+)投加量大于0.04mmol/L时,脱氮效能开始呈现下降趋势。投加Ca~(2+)可以增大污泥颗粒粒径,提高污泥的混合液悬浮固体(MLSS)、混合液挥发性悬浮固体(MLVSS)浓度,但对污泥活性的提升不明显。     

磷酸盐对高基质厌氧氨氧化反应器脱氮性能的影响

采用模拟废水,在UASB反应器中研究磷酸盐对厌氧氨氧化(Anammox)工艺的长期影响,考察了厌氧氨氧化反应器处理高磷酸盐、高浓度含氮废水的可行性。结果表明:当磷酸盐在进水中的浓度低于750 mg·L~(-1)(25.8 mmol·L~(-1))时,Anammox工艺的脱氮效果较好,且磷酸盐浓度对废水中氮的去除及转化效果影响不大,当磷酸盐浓度增至800 mg·L~(-1)(25.8 mmol·L~(-1))时,Anammox工艺的脱氮性能被抑制,NH+4-N的去除率从96.5%降至74.1%,NO-2-N从97.8%降至75.6%,NRR(nitrogen removal rate)从5.7 kg·(m3·d)-1降至4.4 kg·(m3·d)-1。停止投加磷酸盐后,反应器的脱氮性能得到快速恢复。     

Chloroaromatic pollutants in mussels incubated in two finnish watercourses polluted by industry

Concentrations of different chlorinated compounds were measured in mussels incubated in two polluted watercourses, a river (the River Kymijoki) and a lake (Lake Vanaja) for four weeks in summer 1995. The sum concentrations of polychlorinated phenols (PCP) and biphenyls (PCB) were both about 1 μg/g lipid weight (lw) in Lake Vanaja mussels, while in the River Kymijoki mussels PCPs were non-detectable and PCBs were measured 120 ng/g lIw. The concentrations of toxic polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD) and dibenzofuran (PCDF) congeners ranged between <17 and 370 pg/g Iw in Lake Vanaja mussels and between <38 and 11,000 pg/g lw in the River Kymijoki mussels. Polychlorinated diphenyl ethers (PCDE) were detected in the mussels incubated in the River Kymijoki (0.4–1.1 ng/g Iw), but not in those incubated in Lake Vanaja. Polychlorinated phenoxyanisoles (PCPA) were measured 33 ng/g lw and polychlorinated phenoxyphenols (PCPP) 300 ng/g lw in the mussels incubated in the River Kymijoki. PCPAs were also detected in reference samples, which were sediment and pike from the River Kymijoki and Baltic salmon, seal and white-tailed sea eagle.     

Book review

The Pesticide Manual ‐ A World Compendium, 8th Edition, C.R. Worthing, Editor and S.B. Walker, Assistant Editor, British Crop Protection Council, BCPC Publications Sales, Bear Farm, Binfield, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 5QE, England. 1987, 1100 pp., UK £50; Overseas £56. ISBN 0–948404–01–9.     

Organochlorine compounds in a three-step terrestrial food chain

The concentrations of 15 organochlorine chemicals (PCBs and pesticides) were studied in a Central European oak wood food chain system: Great tit (Parus major), caterpillars (Tortrix viridana, Operophtera brumata, Erannis defoliaria), and oak-leaves (Quercus robur). Juvenile tits receive organochlorines from the mother via egg transfer and, eventually to a greater extent, from the caterpillar food source during nestling period. The concentrations of PCB 153 (2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl, the most abundant in this study) was found in leaf material at ca. 1 ng/g, in caterpillars 10 ng/g, and in bird eggs 170 ng/g on an average and on a dry mass basis.     

The chemical stability of formulations of some hydrolyzable insecticides in aqueous mixtures with hydrolysis catalysts

Abstract

The active ingredients in commercial formulations of malathion, oxamyl, carbaryl, diazinon, and chlorpyrifos diluted to “spray tank”; concentrations with buffered distilled or natural water of pH 4–9 were stable for at least 24 hr. Formulations of trichlorfon were not stable at pH 7 or above but disappearance rates were slower than for the pure chemical in homogeneous solution. Cupric ion was observed to be an effective catalyst for the hydrolysis of a variety of pure organophosphorus insecticides but did not catalyze hydrolysis of the active ingredients of the formulations examined. Increasing the dilution of the formulation increased the susceptibility of malathion, oxamyl, and carbaryl to hydrolysis.     

Observations on the influence of water and soil pH on the persistence of insecticides

Abstract

The pH‐disappearance rate profiles were determined at ca. 25°C for 24 insecticides at 4 or 5 pH values over the range 4.5 to 8.0 in sterile phosphate buffers prepared in water‐ethanol (99: 1 v/v). Half‐lives measured at pH 8 were generally smaller than at lower pH values. Changes in half lives between pH 8.0 and 4.5 were largest (>1000x) for the aryl carbamates, carbofuran and carbaryl, the oxime carbamate, oxamyl, and the organophosphorus insecticide, trichlorfon. In contrast, half lives of phorate, terbufos, heptachlor, fensulfothion and aldicarb were affected only slightly by pH changes. Under the experimental conditions described half lives at pH8 varied from 1–2 days for trichlorfon and oxamyl to >1 year for fensulfothion and cyper‐methrin. Insecticide persistence on alumina (acid, neutral and basic), mineral soils amended with aluminum sulfate or calcium hydroxide to different pH values and four natural soils of different pH was examined. No correlation was observed between the measured pH of these solids and the rate of disappearance of selected insecticides applied to them. These observations demonstrate the difficulty of extrapolating the pH dependent disappearance behaviour observed in homogeneous solution to partially solid heterogeneous systems such as soil.     

Evaluation of trichloroethene recovery processes in heterogeneous aquifer cells flushed with biodegradable surfactants

The ability of two biodegradable surfactants, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate (Tween 80) and sodium dihexyl sulfosuccinate (Aerosol MA), to recover a representative dense non-aqueous-phase liquid (DNAPL), trichloroethene (TCE), from heterogeneous porous media was evaluated through a combination of batch and aquifer cell experiments. An aqueous solution containing 3.3% Aerosol MA, 8% 2-propanol and 6 g/l CaCl(2) yielded a weight solubilization ratio (WSR) of 1.21 g TCE/g surfactant, with a corresponding liquid-liquid interfacial tension (IFT) of 0.19 dyn/cm. Flushing of aquifer cells containing a TCE-DNAPL source zone with approximately two pore volumes of the AMA formulation resulted in substantial (>30%) mobilization of TCE-DNAPL. However, a TCE mass recovery of 81% was achieved when the aqueous-phase flow rate was sufficient to displace the mobile TCE-DNAPL toward the effluent well. Aqueous solutions of Tween 80 exhibited a greater capacity to solubilize TCE (WSR=1.74 g TCE/g surfactant) and exerted markedly less reduction in IFT (10.4 dyn/cm). These data contradict an accepted empirical correlation used to estimate IFT values from solubilization capacity, and indicate a unique capacity of T80 to form concentrated TCE emulsions. Flushing of aquifer cells with less than 2.5 pore volumes of a 4% T80 solution achieved TCE mass recoveries ranging from 66 to 85%, with only slight TCE-DNAPL mobilization (<5%) occurring when the total trapping number exceeded 2 x 10(-5). These findings demonstrate the ability of Tween 80 and Aerosol MA solutions to efficiently recover TCE from a heterogeneous DNAPL source zone, and the utility of the total trapping number as a design parameter for a priori prediction of DNAPL mobilization and bank angle formation when flushing with low-IFT solutions. Given their potential to stimulate microbial reductive dechlorination at low concentrations, these surfactants are well-suited for remedial action plans that couple aggressive mass removal followed by enhanced bioremediation to treat chlorinated solvent source zones.     

Radionuclides in pinon pine (Pinus edulis) nuts from los alamos national laboratory lands and the dose from consumption

Abstract

One of the dominant tree species growing within and around the eastern portion of Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM, lands is the pinon pine (Pinus edulis). Pinon pine is used for firewood, fence posts, and building materials and is a source of nuts for food—the seeds are consumed by a wide variety of animals and are also gathered by people in the area and eaten raw or roasted. This study investigated the (1) concentration of ³H, ¹³⁷Cs, ⁹⁰Sr, ^totU, ²³⁸Pu, ^{239, 240}Pu, and²⁴¹ Am in soils (0‐ to 12‐in. [31 cm] depth underneath the tree), pinon pine shoots (PPS), and pinon pine nuts (PPN) collected from LANL lands and regional background (BG) locations, (2) committed effective dose equivalent (CEDE) from the ingestion of nuts, and (3) soil to PPS to PPN concentration ratios (CRs). Most radionuclides, with the exception of ³H in soils, were not significantly higher (p < 0.10) in soils, PPS, and PPN collected from LANL as compared to BG locations, and concentrations of most radionuclides in PPN from LANL have decreased over time. The maximum net CEDE (the CEDE plus two sigma minus BG) at the most conservative ingestion rate (10 lb [4.5 kg]) was 0.0018 mrem (0.018 μSv); this is far below the International Commission on Radiological Protection (all pathway) permissible dose limit of 100 mrem (1000 μSv). Soil‐to‐nut CRs for most radionuclides were within the range of default values in the literature for common fruits and vegetables.     

Degradation and sorption of imidacloprid in dissimilar surface and subsurface soils

Degradation and sorption/desorption are important processes affecting the leaching of pesticides through soil. This research characterized the degradation and sorption of imidacloprid (1-[(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)-methyl]-N-nitro-2-imidazolidinimine) in Drummer (silty clay loam) and Exeter (sandy loam) surface soils and their corresponding subsurface soils using sequential extraction methods over 400 days. By the end of the incubation, approximately 55% of imidacloprid applied at a rate of 1.0 mg kg^?1 degraded in the Exeter sandy loam surface and subsurface soils, compared to 40% of applied imidacloprid within 300 days in Drummer surface and subsurface soils. At the 0.1 mg kg^?1 application rate, dissipation was slower for all four soils. Water-extractable imidacloprid in Exeter surface soil decreased from 98% of applied at day 1 to > 70% of the imidacloprid remaining after 400 d, as compared to 55% in the Drummer surface soil at day 1 and 12% at day 400. These data suggest that imidacloprid was bioavailable to degrading soil microorganisms and sorption/desorption was not the limiting factor for biodegradation. In subsurface soils > 40% of ¹⁴C-benzoic acid was mineralized over 21 days, demonstrating an active microbial community. In contrast, cumulative ¹⁴CO₂ was less than 1.5% of applied ¹⁴C-imidacloprid in all soils over 400 d. Qualitative differences in the microbial communities appear to limit the degradation of imidacloprid in the subsurface soils.     

Biochemical interaction of six op delayed neurotoxicants with several neurotargets

Abstract

Five organophosphorous insecticides: Leptophos, EPN, Cyano‐fenphos, trichloronate and salithion proved to cause irreversible ataxia not only to chicken but also to mice and sheep. TOCP was included as a reference. Cyanofenphos blocked the catecholamine B‐receptor binding activity with ³H‐norepinephrine at a level similar to that of the specific inhibitor propranolol in the mouse heart preparation. In the lamb heart preparation, the B‐receptor was more sensitive to Leptophos, salithion and TOCP than to propranolol. The six compounds and their oxons were screened for their in‐vitro inhibition to monamine oxidase (MAO), acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) and neurotoxic esterase (NTE) in the brain of either mouse, lamb or chicken. It is believed that their AChE inhibition stands for their acute toxicity, while NTE inhibition is responsible for their paralytic ataxia.     

Phytoextraction of lead-contaminated soil using vetivergrass (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vetiveria zizanioides</Emphasis> L.), cogongrass (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Imperata cylindrica</Emphasis> L.) and carabaograss (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Paspalum conjugatum</Emphasis> L.)

Background, Aims and Scope The global problem concerning contamination of the environment as a consequence of human activities is increasing. Most of the environmental contaminants are chemical by-products and heavy metals such as lead (Pb). Lead released into the environment makes its way into the air, soil and water. Lead contributes to a variety of health effects such as decline in mental, cognitive and physical health of the individual. An alternative way of reducing Pb concentration from the soil is through phytoremediation. Phytoremediation is an alternative method that uses plants to clean up a contaminated area. The objectives of this study were: (1) to determine the survival rate and vegetative characteristics of three grass species such as vetivergrass, cogongrass and carabaograss grown in soils with different Pb levels; and (2) to determine and compare the ability of the three grass species as potential phytoremediators in terms of Pb accumulation by plants. Methods The three test plants: vetivergrass (Vetiveria zizanioides L.); cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica L.); and carabaograss (Paspalum conjugatum L.) were grown in individual plastic bags containing soils with 75 mg kg⁻¹ (37.5 kg ha⁻¹) and 150 mg kg⁻¹ (75 kg ha⁻¹) of Pb, respectively. The Pb contents of the test plants and the soil were analyzed before and after experimental treatments using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. This study was laid out following a 3 × 2 factorial experiment in a completely randomized design. Results On the vegetative characteristics of the test plants, vetivergrass registered the highest whole plant dry matter weight (33.85–39.39 Mg ha⁻¹). Carabaograss had the lowest herbage mass production of 4.12 Mg ha⁻¹ and 5.72 Mg ha⁻¹ from soils added with 75 and 150 mg Pb kg⁻¹, respectively. Vetivergrass also had the highest percent plant survival which meant it best tolerated the Pb contamination in soils. Vetivergrass registered the highest rate of Pb absorption (10.16 ± 2.81 mg kg⁻¹). This was followed by cogongrass (2.34 ± 0.52 mg kg⁻¹) and carabaograss with a mean Pb level of 0.49 ± 0.56 mg kg⁻¹. Levels of Pb among the three grasses (shoots + roots) did not vary significantly with the amount of Pb added (75 and 150 mg kg⁻¹) to the soil. Discussion Vetivergrass yielded the highest biomass; it also has the greatest amount of Pb absorbed (roots + shoots). This can be attributed to the highly extensive root system of vetivergrass with the presence of an enormous amount of root hairs. Extensive root system denotes more contact to nutrients in soils, therefore more likelihood of nutrient absorption and Pb uptake. The efficiency of plants as phytoremediators could be correlated with the plants’ total biomass. This implies that the higher the biomass, the greater the Pb uptake. Plants characteristically exhibit remarkable capacity to absorb what they need and exclude what they do not need. Some plants utilize exclusion mechanisms, where there is a reduced uptake by the roots or a restricted transport of the metals from root to shoots. Combination of high metal accumulation and high biomass production results in the most metal removal from the soil. Conclusions The present study indicated that vetivergrass possessed many beneficial characteristics to uptake Pb from contaminated soil. It was the most tolerant and could grow in soil contaminated with high Pb concentration. Cogongrass and carabaograss are also potential phytoremediators since they can absorb small amount of Pb in soils, although cogongrass is more tolerant to Pb-contaminated soil compared with carabaograss. The important implication of our findings is that vetivergrass can be used for phytoextraction on sites contaminated with high levels of heavy metals; particularly Pb. Recommendations and Perspectives High levels of Pb in localized areas are still a concern especially in urban areas with high levels of traffic, near Pb smelters, battery plants, or industrial facilities that burn fuel ending up in water and soils. The grasses used in the study, and particularly vetivergrass, can be used to phytoremediate urban soil with various contaminations by planting these grasses in lawns and public parks. ESS-Submission Editor: Dr. Willie Peijnenburg (wjgm.peijnenburg@rivm.nl)