The potential of Thlaspi caerulescens for phytoremediation of contaminated soils

• Published in: Plant and soil 1998-06, Vol.203 (1), p.47-56
• Main Authors: Robinson, B.H. (Massey Univ., Palmerston North (New Zealand). Dept. of Soil Science), Leblanc, M, Petit, D, Brooks, R.R, Kirkman, J.H, Gregg, P.E.H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ABSORCION DE SUSTANCIAS NUTRITIVAS; ABSORPTION DE SUBSTANCES NUTRITIVES; Acid soils; Agricultural soils; Agrology; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Ammonium; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; BIOACCUMULATION; BIOACUMULACION; Biological and medical sciences; CADMIO; CADMIUM; CHIMIE DU SOL; CINC; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Environmental degradation: ecosystems survey and restoration; Flowers & plants; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Lead; Metal concentrations; Metals; Mine waste; Mine wastes; NUTRIENT UPTAKE; Phytoremediation; Plant growth; Plants; Polluted soils; POLLUTION DU SOL; POLUCION DEL SUELO; QUIMICA DEL SUELO; Soil and water pollution; SOIL CHEMISTRY; Soil contamination; SOIL POLLUTION; Soil science; THLASPI; Thlaspi caerulescens; ZINC
• ISSN: 0032-079X; 1573-5036
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1004328816645

Uptake of Cd, Zn, Pb and Mn by the hyperaccumulator Thlaspi caerulescens was studied by pot trials in plant growth units and in populations of wild plants growing over Pb/Zn base-metal mine wastes at Les Malines in the south of France. The pot trials utilised metal-contaminated soils from Auby in the Lille area. Zinc and Cd concentrations in wild plants averaged 1.16% and 0.16% (dry weight) respectively. The unfertilised biomass of the plants was 2.6 t/ha. A single fertilised crop with the above metal content could remove 60 kg of Zn and 8.4 kg Cd per hectare. Experiments with pot-grown and wild plants showed that metal concentrations (dry weight basis) were up to 1% Zn (4% Zn in the soil) and just over 0.1% Cd (0.02% Cd in the soil). The metal content of the plants was correlated strongly with the plant-available fraction in the soils as measured by extraction with ammonium acetate and was inversely correlated with pH. Bioaccumulation coefficients (plant/soil metal concentration quotients) were in general higher for Cd than for Zn except at low metal concentrations in the soil. There was a tendency for these coefficients to increase with decreasing metal concentrations in the soil. It is proposed that phytoremediation using Thlaspi caerulescens would be entirely feasible for low levels of Cd where only a single crop would be needed to halve a Cd content of 10 µg/g in the soil. It will never be possible to remediate elevated Zn concentrations within an economic time frame (