Evaluation of the Potential of Burningbush (Kochia scoparia (L.) Schard) and Maize (Zea mays L.) and the Role of Soil Organic Amendment in Phytoremediation of Gasoline-Contaminated Soils

• Published in: International Journal of Environmental Research 2018-06, Vol.12 (3), p.327-336
• Main Authors: Daryabeigi Zand, Ali, Hoveidi, Hassan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomass; Biomass burning; Contamination; Corn; Earth and Environmental Science; Environment; Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology; Environmental Management; Fertilizers; Flowers & plants; Gasoline; Geoecology/Natural Processes; Germination; Greenhouse gases; Hydrocarbons; Kochia scoparia; Landscape/Regional and Urban Planning; Natural Hazards; Organic soils; Peat; Phytoremediation; Plant growth; Remediation; Research Paper; Rhizosphere; Sediment pollution; Seedlings; Soil amendment; Soil contamination; Soil investigations; Soil pollution; Soil remediation; Species; Zea mays
• ISSN: 1735-6865; 2008-2304
• DOI: 10.1007/s41742-018-0083-1

A greenhouse study was conducted to investigate the performance of burningbush ( Kochia scoparia (L.) Schard) and maize ( Zea mays L.) in removal of hydrocarbons from soils contaminated with different levels of gasoline. Plants’ capability to grow in gasoline-spiked soils was also evaluated. Additionally, peat fertilizer applied to selected treatments to identify the role of organic amendment of soil on plant growth and remediation potential in contaminated soil. Both studied plant species were found to tolerate gasoline contamination up to the highest applied concentration, i.e., 10,000 mg/kg; however, seedling emergence and subsequent growth were affected in the presence of various levels gasoline in soil. Germination, biomass and root length of burningbush and maize significantly decreased in the presence of higher levels of gasoline ( P