ABSTRACT Crotalaria juncea is used as plant cover in grape vineyards in Brazil, which usually present soils with high copper (Cu) levels due to the application of Cu-based phyto-sanitary products. Under this condition an increase growth and cover of C. juncea is needed to improve the phytoremediation processes in those soils. Some alternatives to achieve this condition is the inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), which has demonstrated an important increase of plant growth in Cu-contaminated soils at different soil […]

ABSTRACT: High growth rate is one of the criteria used for the selection of species to be used in metal phytoextraction programs. This study was carried out to characterize the growth characteristics of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), castor bean (Ricinus communis L.), corn (Zea mays L), and vetiver [Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash] grown on a soil contaminated with lead (Pb), with and without pH correction, to improve agronomic practices regarding phytoremediation programs. The experiment was designed as a randomized block […]

Acacia mangium and Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia are fast-growing woody fabaceous species that might be suitable for phytoremediation of arsenic (As)-contaminated sites. To date, few studies on their tolerance to As toxicity have been published. Therefore, this study assessed As toxicity symptoms in A. mangium and M. caesalpiniaefolia seedlings under As stress in a greenhouse. Seedlings of Acacia mangium and M. caesalpiniaefolia were grown for 120 d in an Oxisol-sand mixture with 0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg kg-1 As, in […]

Arsenic has been considered the most poisonous inorganic soil pollutant to living creatures. For this reason, the interest in phytoremediation species has been increasing in the last years. Particularly for the State of Minas Gerais, where areas of former mining activities are prone to the occurrence of acid drainage, the demand is great for suitable species to be used in the revegetation and “cleaning” of As-polluted areas. This study was carried out to evaluate the potential of seedlings of Eucalyptus […]

Phytoremediation strategies utilize plants to decontaminate or immobilize soil pollutants. Among soil pollutants, metalloid As is considered a primary concern as a toxic element to organisms. Arsenic concentrations in the soil result from anthropogenic activities such as: the use of pesticides (herbicides and fungicides); some fertilizers; Au, Pb, Cu and Ni mining; Fe and steel production; coal combustion; and as a bi-product during natural gas extraction. This study evaluated the potential of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), wand riverhemp (Sesbania virgata), […]

Synthetic chelants used to induce phytoextraction are barely degraded in the soil and pose high environmental risks owing to metal leaching. Natural chelating agents can be an alternative to synthetic chelates thanks to their rapid biodegrability. The study was carried out to evaluate the efficiency of Pb desorption of three synthetic chelators and two natural aliphatic acids from a soil contaminated with Pb from a car battery recycling. Additionally, effects of the amendments on Pb leaching from soil were also […]

Phytoextraction of heavy metals is a promising green technology by which metals are extracted from contaminated soils and transferred to plant shoots. Natural organic acids are an alternative to synthetic chelates since the environmental risks are lower thanks to their biodegradability. The study aimed at evaluating the performance of single and split applications of citric acid on enhancing Pb extraction by maize plants (Zea mays) grown in soil samples from an area contaminated with Pb from battery wastes. The citric […]

The use of plants for phytoremediation of metal-contaminated areas is an emerging technology, and studies concerning heavy metal tolerance, absorption and distribution in plants are essential for the success of such programs. This study was carried out to evaluate the tolerance, absorption and distribution of lead (Pb) in vetiver grass [Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash], mimosa [Desmanthus virgatus (L.) Willd] and mesquite trees [Prosopis juliflora (SW) DC] subjected to increasing lead doses in solution. The experiment was conducted under a screenhouse, […]

Soil contamination by organic compounds, especially by the petroleum-derived, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), is a growing problem with serious environmental consequences. To evaluate the environmental impact of these products it is important to understand their effects on plants and the associated microbiota. The effects of PAHs on growth and mycorrhizal colonization of Brachiaria brizantha and Pueraria phaseoloides were evaluated here. Two PAHs, anthracene and creosote, were applied to a soil infested with the mycorrhizal fungus Glomus etunicatum at varied concentrations: […]

The low biodegradability of synthetic chelating agents used for phytoextraction poses a great environmental risk due to the potential for metal leaching. Natural chelating agents can be an alternative to synthetic chelates due to their rapid biodegrability. The study aimed to compare the performance of natural organic acids (gallic, citric, and oxalic) to synthetic chelates/acids EDTA, DTPA, and NTA for induced phytoextraction of Pb, Cu and Zn by corn (Zea mays) and velvetbean (Stizolobium aterrimum). Soil samples were contaminated to […]