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Heavy Metal Contamination and Phytoremediation of Soil and Water

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Soil Conservation and Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 September 2023) | Viewed by 17061

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Robson Andreazza

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Guest Editor

Center of Engineering, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas 96010900, Brazil
Interests: bioremediation; remediation; environmental pollution
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Filipe Selau Carlos

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Guest Editor

Soil Science Department, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas 96010900, Brazil
Interests: irrigation systems; soil and water management; efficient use of mineral nutrients; plant production
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

For many years, soil and water contamination have occurred, and in many cases, are accompanied by industrial and agricultural development. In this context, heavy metals used in many forms and a wide range of types and concentrations have been contaminated soils and watercourses delivering problems for natural resources such as animals, plants, and ecosystems, as well as for the human being. Social and economic pressures have reached society, and also, bioremediation of the contaminated areas have promised results. Potential technologies and biotechnologies have been raised and green technologies are very important for bioremediation, as special phytoremediation with potential for decontamination and protection of soil are well accepted by organizations, researchers, and society is an important solution for environmental contamination with heavy metals.

This Special Issue will collect a selection of papers presenting original and innovative contributions to the study of new patterns in phytoremediation, focusing on both theoretical and pragmatic implications of different phytoremediation techniques. Combined and advanced phytoremediation techniques are welcome with innovative plants and different organisms, such as plants and microorganisms. Plant physiology for phytoremediation can be joined for improving the novelty for phytoadsorption, phytostabilization, phytoextraction, and other techniques.

Society is seeking for knew advanced and green technologies for cleaning up the environment with low cost and efficiency, while phytoremediation can reach the goals with important results.

Dr. Robson Andreazza
Prof. Dr. FILIPE Selau Carlos
Guest Editors

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Keywords

phytoremediation
bioremediation
heavy metals
pollutants
remediation
contaminated soil
contaminated watercourse

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 1309 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Aquatic Macrophytes Metal and Nutrient Concentration Variations, with Implication for Phytoremediation Potential in a Subtropical River System

by Linton F. Munyai and Tatenda Dalu

Sustainability 2023, 15(20), 14933; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152014933 - 16 Oct 2023

Viewed by 1426

Abstract

Human activities have resulted in an increase in metal pollution within aquatic ecosystems, with most of these metals ending up being taken by macrophytes. Thus, these macrophytes provide an opportunity to study metal pollution dynamics and the role that macrophytes play in potentially translocating and accumulating these metals. Here, we studied three macrophyte species, namely Phragmites australis, Schoenoplectus corymbosus, and Typha capensis, and assessed their potential to be utilized in the phytoremediation of metals in an Austral subtropical river across three seasons. We measured P, K, Ca, Mg, B, Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn concentrations in macrophyte roots, stems, and leaves, and we further quantified the metal bioconcentration factor (BCF). The N, Ca, and Mg concentrations were generally high in P. australis leaves across all seasons. In general, high Na, Mg, and Ca concentrations were observed in T. capensis across seasons. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) values were generally low (<1) in most macrophyte parts for most metals during the cool-dry season, with the exception of Na, which had high BCF values > 1 (i.e., accumulators) across the different macrophyte parts. We found that P. australis and S. corymbosus have the potential to accumulate metals such as B, Na, Mg, Ca, and N and also have high phytoremediation potential for the studied metals. We found that the studied macrophytes were good at phytoremediation within the river system; however, for any treatment of polluted systems, it is better to use a combination of different macrophytes, as some were better at translocating certain metals than others. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heavy Metal Contamination and Phytoremediation of Soil and Water)

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17 pages, 2511 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Soil Remediation after Sewage Sludge or Sewage Sludge Char Application with Industrial Hemp and Its Potential for Bioenergy Production

by Inesa Kniuipytė, Marius Praspaliauskas, Jonė Venclovienė and Jūratė Žaltauskaitė

Sustainability 2023, 15(14), 11296; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151411296 - 20 Jul 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1375

Abstract

Sewage sludge reuse in agriculture is increasing and is highly encouraged; however, it may pose environmental risk. Therefore, an integrated approach combining soil phytoremediation and further plant usage for bioenergy production is needed. In this study, we have examined the potential of industrial hemp (Canabis sativa L.) to remediate sewage sludge (SS) and sewage sludge char (SSCh)-amended soil (25–200 Mg ha⁻¹) and improve soil quality. Additionally, hemp’s biomass and probable bioenergy yield was calculated for biomass and methane production. Heavy metal soil content increased with SS and SSCh dose, though hemp cultivation significantly reduced their soil concentrations. The heavy metals’ removal efficiency could be ranked Zn > Cu > Cr > Ni. There was an enrichment of micro- (Ca, Mg, Mn, S) and macro-nutrients (P) in SS and SSCh-amended soils. P and S removal by hemp was highly efficient, whereas other macronutrients did not show a substantial decrease in the soil. Only marginal removal was detected for Ba, Fe, Na, Ti and Al. The study showed that the optimal fertilization with SS or SSCh could be up to 25 Mg ha⁻¹, when the highest efficiency of contaminant removal from the soil and the highest plant biomass production and bioenergy production were observed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heavy Metal Contamination and Phytoremediation of Soil and Water)

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14 pages, 1304 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Electrokinetic-Assisted Phytoremediation of Pb-Contaminated Soil: Influences of Periodic Polarity Reversal Direct Current Field

by Hayishaer Mulati, Anwar Mamat, Nuerla Ailijiang, Lu Jiang, Ning Li, Yuanfang Hu and Yuhong Su

Sustainability 2023, 15(11), 8439; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15118439 - 23 May 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1823

Abstract

The effect of electric stimulation on the phytoremediation of Pb-contaminated soil by tall fescue and wheat seedlings was investigated by monitoring the time-dependent changes in soil properties and Pb accumulation in plants with or without a direct current (DC) exchange field. The results showed that plants could strengthen electrical conductivity (EC) and current in the soil environment. The periodic exchange electrode helped maintain a stable soil pH. Electric stimulation enhanced phytoremediation efficiency, and the enhancement effect increased with plant growth. Compared with the treatments without a DC exchange electric field, the Pb content in plots with tall fescue and wheat seedlings under DC exchange electric field increased 107–250.6% and 32.7–84.4%, respectively, after 30 d of planting. DC exchange electric field significantly increased the Pb enrichment coefficient of tall fescue and wheat seedlings. The upward transport of Pb from wheat seedling roots to shoots was greatly promoted by electric stimulation for 18 d. However, Pb transport in both plants was restrained after 18 d of electric stimulation. Additionally, DC exchange electric stimulation can improve the phytoremediation of heavy-metal-contaminated soil. More attention should be paid to the selection and testing of promising hyperaccumulators for electrokinetic-assisted phytoremediation of Pb-contaminated soil. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heavy Metal Contamination and Phytoremediation of Soil and Water)

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20 pages, 7075 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Heavy Metal Pollution in Soil of Coal Gangue Area on Germination and Seedlings of Typical Remediation Plants

by Shijie Song, Jing Zuo, Qing Chang, Chenchen Wang, Yi Wang and Ruisi Peng

Sustainability 2023, 15(4), 3359; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043359 - 12 Feb 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2077

Abstract

The problem of soil heavy metal pollution caused by coal gangue accumulation areas is becoming more and more serious. In situ plant remediation technology has become one of the most promising methods to solve heavy metal soil pollution due to its advantages of the green economy. In this experiment, the characteristics of heavy metal pollution in the shallow soil (vertical depth 0~20 cm) 300 m outside the square circle of a typical coal gangue accumulation area in the Fengfeng Mining Area of Hebei Province, China were used as the prototype. Alfalfa and ryegrass were selected as the test plants. Pot experiments were carried out at different heavy metal concentrations (Cu:14/64/100 mg/kg, Pb:15/38/170 mg/kg, Cd:1/4/8 mg/kg) levels to study and reveal the effects of single and compound soil heavy metal pollution on seed germination and seedling growth characteristics of alfalfa and ryegrass. The results showed that: (1) Under the condition of single Cd pollution, the germination index of alfalfa seeds and the germination potential of ryegrass seeds show a trend of “low concentration promotion and high concentration inhibition”. Under the condition of single Pb and Cu pollution in soil, the germination indices show obvious inhibition and damage effect; that is, with an increase in concentration, the germination rate, germination potential, germination potential, and vigor index show a decreasing trend. When Pb is 170 mg/kg or Cu is 100 mg/kg or Cd is 8 mg/kg, the inhibitory effect on seed germination and seedling growth of the two plants is the most harmful. (2) Due to the different concentrations of heavy metal combined pollution, there are synergistic or antagonistic effects between Cu, Pb and Cd in soil on alfalfa and ryegrass. That is to say, under low concentrations of heavy metal pollution, the inhibitory effect of combined stress is greater than that of single stress, and under high concentration of heavy metal pollution, the inhibitory effect of combined stress is less than that of single stress. (3) Whether in the single pollution or combined pollution of soil, ryegrass is always more tolerant than alfalfa, indicating that ryegrass has more potential for remediation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heavy Metal Contamination and Phytoremediation of Soil and Water)

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12 pages, 920 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Potential Phytoremediation of Aquatic Macrophyte Species for Heavy Metals in Urban Environments in the Southern Area of Brazil

by Carolina Faccio Demarco, Thays França Afonso, Simone Pieniz, Filipe Carlos Selau, Fernando Machado Machado and Robson Andreazza

Sustainability 2023, 15(1), 419; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010419 - 27 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1823

Abstract

This research investigated four different species of aquatic macrophytes with natural occurrence in an urban environment highly anthropized in Southern Brazil. The aim of the research was to compare the phytoremediation potential among the species E. anagallis, H. grumosa, H. ranunculoides, and S. montevidensis through Pearson´s correlation analysis and cluster analysis, using the heavy metal content identified through HNO₃ - HClO₄ and phytoremediation indexes. The results highlighted the bioconcentration factor (BCF) of H. ranunculoides, with outstanding results for Cu BCF = 667.09, Zn BCF = 149.93, Cd BCF = 26.85, Cr BCF = 31.77, Ni BCF = 35.47, and Pb BCF= 126.29. Additionally, H. grumosa and S. montevidensis were also highlighted, considering the potential phytoremoval (g ha⁻¹). Therefore, this study demonstrates the tolerance and potential for removal of heavy metals Cu, Cr, Cd, Pb, Ni, and Zn by the evaluated aquatic macrophyte species and elucidates the outstanding potential of application in phytoremediation purposes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heavy Metal Contamination and Phytoremediation of Soil and Water)

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28 pages, 7206 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Cellulose in Microbial Diversity Changes in the Soil Contaminated with Cadmium

by Jadwiga Wyszkowska, Edyta Boros-Lajszner, Agata Borowik and Jan Kucharski

Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 14242; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142114242 - 31 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1699

Abstract

Cadmium is an essential element for plant growth and development. Its accumulation in soil is more hazardous to human and animal health than to plants and microorganisms. A pot greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine the usability of Sinapis alba L. and Avena sativa L. for the phytoremediation of soil contaminated with cadmium and to verify cellulose viability in the remediation of soil under cadmium pressure in doses from 4 to 16 mg Cd²⁺ kg⁻¹ soil d.m. (dry matter) The effect of cadmium on soil microbiome was investigated with the culture method and the variable region sequencing method. Sinapis alba L. and Avena sativa L. were found viable in the phytoremediation of soil contaminated with Cd²⁺. Avena sativa L. was more potent to accumulate Cd²⁺ in roots than Sinapis alba L. Although the fertilization of Cd²⁺- contaminated soil with cellulose stimulated the proliferation of microorganisms, it failed to mitigate the adverse effects of Cd²⁺ on bacterial diversity. Bacteria from the Sphingomonas, Sphingobium, Achromobacter, and Pseudomonas genera represented the core microbiome of the soils sown with two plant species, contaminated with Cd²⁺ and fertilized with cellulose. Stimulation of the growth and development of these bacteria may boost the efficacy of phytoremediation of cadmium-contaminated soils with Sinapis alba L. and Avena sativa L. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heavy Metal Contamination and Phytoremediation of Soil and Water)

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Review

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15 pages, 858 KiB

Open AccessReview

Bioremediation of Aquatic Environments Contaminated with Heavy Metals: A Review of Mechanisms, Solutions and Perspectives

by Carolina Faccio Demarco, Maurízio Silveira Quadro, Filipe Selau Carlos, Simone Pieniz, Luiza Beatriz Gamboa Araújo Morselli and Robson Andreazza

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1411; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021411 - 11 Jan 2023

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 5984

Abstract

The degradation of water resources is related to anthropic actions such as rapid urbanization and industrial and agricultural activities with inefficient land use and occupation management. Water pollution caused by organic and inorganic contaminants represents a current challenge for researchers and humanity. One of the techniques used to remove pollutants from aquatic environments is bioremediation, through the metabolism of living organisms, and especially phytoremediation, with plants as a decontamination agent. Aiming to demonstrate the current mechanisms, solutions, and perspectives regarding bioremediation, and especially phytoremediation in aquatic environments, a literature review was conducted, highlighting the following subjects: heavy metals as contaminants, phytoremediation, evaluation of resistance mechanisms, removal of heavy metals by microorganisms and biofilters of the artificial floating islands type. From the literature research carried out, it can be concluded that alternatives such as macrophyte plants have proved to be an effective and efficient alternative with a high potential for removal of contaminants in aquatic environments, including concomitantly with microorganisms. There was no mechanism well-defined for specific absorption of heavy metals by plants; however, some results can indicate that if there was sporadic contamination with some contaminants, the plants can be indicators with some adsorption and absorption, even with low concentration in the watercourse by the moment of the evaluation. It is necessary to study bioremediation methods, resistance mechanisms, tolerance, and removal efficiencies for each biological agent chosen. Within the bioremediation processes of aquatic environments, the use of macrophyte plants with a high capacity for phytoremediation of metals, used combined with bioremediating microorganisms, such as biofilters, is an interesting perspective to remove contaminants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heavy Metal Contamination and Phytoremediation of Soil and Water)

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