Abstract
Background: Coexistence of polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals deleteriously threatens the quality of environmental health . Few reports uncover the mechanism of inoculation plants with Piriformospora indica for remediating PAH- m etal co-contaminated soil by analyzing the chemical speciations of contaminants . This study investigated the influence of inoculation Medicago sativa with P. indica to remediate phenanthrene (kind of PAHs ) , and cadmium (one of heavy metals ) co-contaminated soil by analyzing the plant growth, physiological parameters and chemical speciation in rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere . Results: T he presence of P. indica significantly increased plants tolerance, Chlorophyll a , Chlorophyll b , maximum quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry and electron transport rate values in phenanthrene an d /or cadmium contaminated soil. P. indica inoculation in M edicago sativa root increased f luorescein diacetate activities in phenanthrene, cadmium and both of that co-contaminated soil, especially in non-rhizosphere . The presence of phenanthrene hindered the inoculated plant from accumulating cadmium to some extent ; Whereas the presence of cadmium did not hinder the degradation of phenanthrene in both rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere after P. indica colonization. Although the poor bioavailability of cadmium in rhizosphere restricted the transportation into stem, P. indica colonization in plant efficiently increased cadmium accumulation in root in cadmium and phenanthrene co-contaminated soil. Conclusions: In conclusion, t he work provides the theoretical basis that Piriformospora indica combined with Medicago sativa contributed to the remediation of PAH-Metal co-contaminated soil.
Phytoremediation effect of Medicago sativa colonized by Piriformospora indica in the phenanthrene and cadmium co-contaminated soil
