可见光下亚微米Cu_2O微球光催化去除铜绿微囊藻

以乙酸铜为铜源、乙二醇和葡萄糖为还原剂,采用溶剂热法制备亚微米Cu_2O微球,并用X射线衍射(XRD)和透射电子显微镜(TEM)对其结构进行表征;通过藻细胞的内含物含量、生长代谢活性、形态的变化和藻细胞膜脂质过氧化分析,研究了亚微米Cu_2O微球在可见光下去除铜绿微囊藻的性能。结果表明:亚微米Cu_2O微球由10nm左右的Cu_2O纳米粒子聚集形成;在可见光下,亚微米Cu_2O微球的加入量为0.4g/L,3h后叶绿素a去除率可达到80.4%;亚微米Cu_2O微球通过光催化作用破坏藻细胞膜、降解藻细胞内含物、降低藻细胞代谢活性和破坏藻细胞形态,从而产生抑藻作用。     

插层蒙脱土去除铜绿微囊藻的研究

采用离子交换法制备了烷基糖苷季铵盐插层蒙脱土(简称插层蒙脱土)材料,采用傅立叶变换红外光谱(FT-IR)、差热/热重联用热分析(DSC/TG)仪和X射线衍射(XRD)仪对其进行表征,并使用插层蒙脱土去除水中铜绿微囊藻,最后通过对藻絮体形态的表征分析了插层蒙脱土的除藻机制。XRD测试结果表明,烷基糖苷季铵盐可以插入蒙脱土的层间,使蒙脱土001晶面的层间距增大;DSC/TG测试结果表明,当烷基糖苷季铵盐用量为一倍蒙脱土离子交换容量时,其插入到蒙脱土的量为13.07%(质量分数);当铜绿微囊藻为2.81×108个/L,插层蒙脱土投加量为0.040g/L,藻液初始pH为8时,叶绿素a和浊度的去除率分别可以达到93.02%和90.1%;插层蒙脱土可以通过网捕絮凝作用去除铜绿微囊藻,当它与藻细胞接触时,其层间插入的烷基糖苷季铵盐可以缓慢释放,抑制絮体中藻细胞的活性,并且不会发生藻絮体反漂现象。     

ClO_2-CuO@蒙脱土催化氧化降解土壤中的蒽

采用尿素水解法制备了CuO-蒙脱土复合材料,XRD和IR表明制备的CuO-蒙脱土复合材料同时存在CuO和蒙脱土两种物质。TEM表明对CuO-蒙脱土复合材料中CuO纳米颗粒的直径为4~5 nm,均匀分散在蒙脱土片层上。使用CuO-蒙脱土作为二氧化氯(ClO_2)氧化的催化剂,研究了ClO_2-CuO@蒙脱土催化氧化降解土壤中蒽的效果。结果表明,土壤中蒽污染物浓度为89.8 mg·kg-1时,最佳条件为25℃、水土比为3、污染土壤初始pH 7、ClO_2用量为1.0 mol·kg-1、CuO-蒙脱土用量为1 g·kg-1、反应时间30 min,此时,土壤中蒽的降解率可达到90%以上。ClO_2-CuO@蒙脱土催化氧化降解土壤中蒽的反应动力学对ClO_2浓度符合一级反应动力学,反应过程中产生活性·OH,提高了蒽降解的效率。     

木质纤维素/蒙脱土纳米复合材料对Cr(Ⅵ)吸附性能研究

利用X射线衍射(XRD)和扫描电镜(SEM)方法,对木质纤维素/蒙脱土纳米复合材料的结构进行表征,并研究了溶液pH、Cr(Ⅵ)初始浓度、吸附时间和吸附温度对木质纤维素/蒙脱土纳米复合材料吸附Cr(Ⅵ)的影响.结果表明:(1)木质纤维素和蒙脱土复合后形成了插层一剥离型的纳米复合材料;(2)在溶液pH为2、Cr(Ⅵ)初始质量浓度为100mg/L、吸附温度为30℃、吸附时间为180 min的条件下,木质纤维素/蒙脱土纳米复合材料对Cr(Ⅵ)的吸附量达5.72mg/g;(3)木质纤维素/蒙脱土纳米复合材料对Cr(Ⅵ)的吸附符合伪二级动力学模型和Freundlich吸附等温式.     

高铁酸钾预氧化并复合高岭土与PAC絮凝去除水中的颤藻

对高铁酸钾预氧化并复合高岭土与PAC絮凝法除水中颤藻的效果进行了研究。通过正交实验得出了在实验水质条件下,去除颤藻的最佳条件为:高铁酸钾的投加量2.4 mg/L、高岭土24 mg/L、PAC 5 mg/L及pH值为6.5。在此条件下,K2FeO4除藻效果明显优于传统的PAC絮凝工艺。考察了K2FeO4对接种到培养液中的颤藻生长活性的影响,结果表明,随着K2FeO4量的增加,颤藻生长活性抑制时间增长。数码生物显微镜观察表明:K2FeO4在低浓度2.4 mg/L下不能破坏颤藻细胞结构,高浓度50 mg/L下可使其细胞破裂死亡。     

四羟甲基硫酸鏻去除铜绿微囊藻效果及其机制研究

研究了四羟甲基硫酸鏻对铜绿微囊藻(Microcystis aeruginosa)的去除效果及机制.结果表明,四羟甲基硫酸鏻半效应浓度(EC50)与藻细胞数目呈正相关,线性方程为:Y=0.628 2X+0.956 4,R2=0.997 3(其中Y为EC50,mg/L;X为处理48 h后铜绿微囊藻细胞数目,106个/mL).11.0 mg/L四羟甲基硫酸鏻处理铜绿微囊藻36 h后,藻细胞可溶性蛋白、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、丙二醛(MDA)较对照组分别提高10.47%、11.31%、140.98%,四羟甲基硫酸鏻能够显著破坏藻细胞膜通透性,提高酯酶活性.四羟甲基硫酸鏻通过破坏藻细胞膜,造成膜脂过氧化,干扰藻体正常代谢而除藻.     

高锰酸钾对藻细胞及胞外有机物的控制效果

以假鱼腥藻(Pseudoanabaena sp.)和颤藻(Oscillatoria sp.)等蓝藻(Cyanobacteria sp.)为优势藻群的深圳石岩水库水样为对象,研究高锰酸钾在氧化过程中藻细胞活性、胞外有机物DOC浓度、胞外溶解性有机物(DOM)的荧光特性变化,以及高锰酸钾预氧化强化混凝除藻和去除有机物的效果。在荧光显微镜下观察到,低浓度(0~1.5 mg·L~(-1))高锰酸钾对藻细胞的灭杀效果并不明显。较高浓度(5 mg·L~(-1))高锰酸钾则对藻细胞结构有一定程度的破坏,藻细胞的总数减少了28%。研究发现,高锰酸钾能够氧化藻细胞使其释放胞内物质,投加1.5mg·L~(-1)后胞外2-甲基异莰醇(2-MIB)与土臭素(GSM)浓度均有所升高。在高锰酸钾氧化过程中,胞外DOC和DOM荧光总量随氧化时间的延长均呈降低-升高-降低的趋势;5 mg·L~(-1)的高锰酸钾氧化10 min时就会引起芳香性蛋白质类物质和溶解性微生物代谢产物类物质的升高。高锰酸钾能够有效强化混凝去除藻类和有机物,聚合氯化铝(PAC)最优投加量为3 mg·L~(-1),高锰酸钾最优投加量为0.6 mg·L~(-1)。     

铁修饰铝柱撑黏土催化剂(Fe/Al-PILC)的制备及其对C_3H_6-SCR活性的影响

制备了铝离子柱撑蒙脱土负载铁离子的催化剂,采用XRD、H_2-TPR、Py-IR、UV-vis光谱、ICP、N_2吸附-脱附等多种分析方法,对催化剂的基础物理化学性质进行了系统地表征。在固定床微反应器内,对丙烯在该催化剂表面选择性还原NO的特性进行了研究,考察了柱撑Al~(3+)与黏土比例以及焙烧温度对催化剂的物化性质以及脱硝效果的影响。结果表明:9Fe/Al-PILC样品具有较高的C_3H_6-SCR脱硝性能,Al~(3+)/蒙脱土的比值对脱硝性能的影响较大,而载体的焙烧温度的影响相对较小;按照Al~(3+)/蒙脱土比值的大小,催化剂活性高低排序为9Fe/Al-PILC-109Fe/Al-PILC-209Fe/Al-PILC-59Fe/蒙脱土9Fe/Al-PILC-40;柱撑离子Al~(3+)使蒙脱土的比表面积急剧增大,催化剂具有微孔和介孔结构,Al~(3+)/蒙脱土比为10 mmol·g~(-1)时载体柱撑效果最佳;在负载铁离子后的Fe/Al-PILC催化剂中,铁氧化物高度分散在载体表面。H_2-TPR表明催化剂的氧化还原性能可影响催化剂的SCR活性。UV-vis结果表明,低聚态Fe_xO_y物种的形成有助于提升催化剂的反应性能。Py-IR实验结果表明,Lewis酸和Br(?)nsted酸均有利于选择性催化还原NO,9Fe/Al-PILC-10催化剂活性最好,与其Bronsted酸含量较多有关。以上结果对于进一步优化柱撑黏土催化剂的合成工艺具有参考价值。     

微乳法制备Fe-TiO_2纳米晶复合体及光催化性能

采用微乳法制备铁掺杂TiO2纳米晶（Fe-TiO2）复合体,通过热重-差热（TG-DTA）、X射线衍射（XRD）、扫描电镜（SEM）和紫外漫反射光谱（DRS）等对其结构和形态进行表征;以亚甲基蓝溶液（MB）为标准模拟降解物,对Fe-TiO2,纯TiO2和P25光催化降解性能进行评价。结果表明,Fe-TiO2的光催化活性明显〉P25,原因是Fe掺杂不仅能抑制TiO2晶粒生长,提高TiO2的热稳定性和比表面积,而且能够拓展TiO2的吸收波长范围至可见光区,提高了Ti3＋离子浓度,降低了光生载流子的复合几率。     

不同黏土对盐酸环丙沙星和诺氟沙星的吸附特性

研究了不同振荡时间、溶液pH和金属离子浓度条件下,蒙脱土和硅藻土对水溶液中盐酸环丙沙星和诺氟沙星的吸附特性及其吸附动力学。结果表明,蒙脱土和硅藻土对抗生素的吸附均在4 h达到吸附平衡;强酸、强碱均有利于蒙脱土对盐酸环丙沙星的吸附,中性和碱性不利于蒙脱土对诺氟沙星的吸附;pH的升高不利于硅藻土对盐酸环丙沙星的吸附,强酸、强碱条件有利于硅藻土对诺氟沙星的吸附。pH≤6时,Na+和K+对吸附效果影响不大;pH=10时,Na+和K+显著降低2种吸附剂对抗生素的去除率。Ni2+有利于蒙脱土吸附盐酸环丙沙星,但不利于吸附诺氟沙星,不利于硅藻土在中性条件对抗生素的吸附。由吸附动力学可知,2种吸附剂对抗生素的吸附过程均符合准二级动力学模型。     

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)