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Phytoremediation affects microbial development on a limestone quarry

Phytoremediation was used to regenerate a limestone quarry area. Plant growth mixed medium added over the quarry surface, consisting of a mixture of pyrolusite byproducts, natural soil, sand, and rice husk. Three different plant species: pine, cypress, and broom were planted at 9 randomized plots in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of phytoremediation 2018-07, Vol.20 (9), p.957-963
Main Authors: Alifragki, Maria G., Pavlatou-Ve, Athina K., Orfanoudakis, Michail Z.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Phytoremediation was used to regenerate a limestone quarry area. Plant growth mixed medium added over the quarry surface, consisting of a mixture of pyrolusite byproducts, natural soil, sand, and rice husk. Three different plant species: pine, cypress, and broom were planted at 9 randomized plots in order to assess the effects of vegetation on the microbial development, which was measured for the following 3 years. Substrate samples were analyzed for organic carbon content (C org ), microbial biomass (C mic ), basal CO 2 respiration activity (BR), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and acid phosphatase activities at each plant specie and year. Furthermore, the ratio C mic /C org , the metabolic quotient (qCO 2 ), and the C mineralization quotient (qM) were determined. The highest survival rates occurred for broom (93.52%), followed by cypress and pine (82.41%) at the final year, while the content of C mic , BR, and ALP was increased significantly under plants (pine, cypress, and broom) compared with control. C mic content and BR was plant dependent. Cypress sites had the highest values of C mic (214.9 μgCg −1 ) and BR (112.8 μgCO 2 -Cg −1 d −1 ) at the 3 rd year. The plant root environment clearly enhances and regulates the microbial community, in correspondence to the species used. Below ground enhanced activity could fulfill the scope of phytoremediation strategies.
ISSN:1522-6514
1549-7879
DOI:10.1080/15226514.2018.1452183