Phytostabilization Potential of Pb Mine Tailings by Two Grass Species, Thysanolaena maxima and Vetiveria zizanioides

• Published in: Water, air, and soil pollution air, and soil pollution, 2013-10, Vol.224 (10), p.1, Article 1750
• Main Authors: Meeinkuirt, Weeradej, Kruatrachue, Maleeya, Tanhan, Phanwimol, Chaiyarat, Rattanawat, Pokethitiyook, Prayad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Bioaccumulation; Biodegradation of pollutants; Biological and medical sciences; Biological magnification; Biomass; Biotechnology; Cattle manure; Climate Change/Climate Change Impacts; Earth and Environmental Science; Environment; Environment and pollution; Environmental impact; Environmental monitoring; Exact sciences and technology; Fertilizers; Field tests; Flowers & plants; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Grasses; Heavy metals; Hydrogeology; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Lead; Manures; Mine tailings; Mine wastes; Mining; Organic fertilizers; Organic soils; Physicochemical properties; Pollution; Sea level; Soil contamination; Soil erosion; Soil Science & Conservation; Studies; Thysanolaena maxima; Translocation; Vetiveria zizanioides; Wastes; Water Quality/Water Pollution
• ISSN: 0049-6979; 1573-2932
• DOI: 10.1007/s11270-013-1750-7

Pot and field experiments were conducted to elucidate the phytostabilization potential of two grass species ( Thysanolaena maxima and Vetiveria zizanioides ) with respect to lead (Pb) tailing soil. Three fertilizers (Osmocote® fertilizer, cow manure, and organic fertilizer) were used to improve the physicochemical properties of tailing soil. V . zizanioides treated with organic fertilizer and cow manure showed the highest biomass (14.0 ± 2.6 and 10.5 ± 2.6 g per plant, respectively) and the highest Pb uptake in the organic fertilizer treatment ( T . maxima , 413.3 μg per plant; V . zizanioides , 519.5 μg per plant) in the pot study, whereas in field trials, T . maxima attained the best performances of dry biomass production (217.0 ± 57.9 g per plant) and Pb uptake (32.1 mg per plant) in the Osmocote® treatment. In addition, both grasses showed low translocation factor (1). During a 1-year field trial, T . maxima also produced the longest shoot (103.9 ± 29.7 cm), followed by V . zizanioides (70.6 ± 16.8 cm), in Osmocote® treatment. Both grass species showed potential as excluder plants suitable for phytostabilization applications in Pb-contaminated areas.