Potential use in phytoremediation of three plant species growing on contaminated mine-tailing soils in Sardinia

We have analyzed the relationship between total Zn, Pb and Cu concentrations in the soil and the capacity of three plant species to accumulate these elements in their leaves. The study was carried out in a highly contaminated area at Sulcis-Iglesiente (SW-Sardinia, Italy). We took samples of the lea...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ecological engineering 2011-02, Vol.37 (2), p.392-398
Main Authors: Jiménez, M.N., Bacchetta, G., Casti, M., Navarro, F.B., Lallena, A.M., Fernández-Ondoño, E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
bioaccumulation
bioavailability
calcium carbonate
Carbonate soils
Cistus
Cistus salviifolius
copper
Dittrichia viscosa
Euphorbia
Euphorbia pithyusa subsp. cupanii
iron
lead
leaves
mine tailings
Phytoextraction
phytoremediation
Phytostabilization
polluted soils
soil sampling
Total concentrations
zinc
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Summary:We have analyzed the relationship between total Zn, Pb and Cu concentrations in the soil and the capacity of three plant species to accumulate these elements in their leaves. The study was carried out in a highly contaminated area at Sulcis-Iglesiente (SW-Sardinia, Italy). We took samples of the leaves of Dittrichia viscosa, Cistus salviifolius and Euphorbia pithyusa subsp. cupanii and samples of the soil beneath each of them at depths of 0–30 and 30–60cm, both in contaminated mine tailings and surrounding areas. Due to the anthropic origin of the soil materials the results varied considerably. Bioavailability of trace elements was mainly related to the calcium-carbonate content and the crystalline and amorphous forms of iron in the soil. The concentration of Zn in the leaves of the three plant species studied was highest, followed by Pb and finally Cu. The leaves of Dittrichia viscosa contained the highest concentrations of trace elements and this species may be considered as being a “phytoextractor” in soils where the trace-element concentrations are not too high. Euphorbia pithyusa subsp. cupanii had low trace-element concentrations in its leaves despite growing in highly contaminated soils, and so might be used as a “phytostabilizer”. Although Cistus salviifolius does not grow in the most contaminated soils, could be considered as a contamination indicator up to a given level.
ISSN:0925-8574
1872-6992
DOI:10.1016/j.ecoleng.2010.11.030