Phytomanagement of Chromium-Contaminated Soils Using Cannabis sativa (L.)

This study aimed to assess whether hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) behaves as a Cr(III)-tolerant or a hyperaccumulator species and whether it could be a suitable species for the phytomanagement of Cr(III)-contaminated soils. The experiment was conducted in pots under greenhouse conditions comparing two fiber hemp (Fibranova and Carmagnola) and two seed hemp (Futura 75 and Fedora 17) varieties under four different soil Cr levels (24.3, 40.1, 55.8, and 87.4 mg kg−1) supplied with tannery sludge. The Cr level did not significantly influence hemp biomass production or Cr accumulation in the aboveground biomass. Focusing on marketable fractions, Cr uptake was 0.03 ± 0.04 mg plant−1 in the stems of fiber varieties and 0.60 ± 0.17 mg plant−1 in the seeds of seed varieties. The only significant accumulation of Cr content was indeed observed in the root system, where it reached 0.63 mg plant−1 for the fiber varieties and 1.76 mg plant−1 for the seed varieties in the fertilization with 200% N by tannery sludge (T200) treatment. The Cr translocation factor (aboveground-to-belowground biomass) decreased from 2.17 to 0.37, increasing the Cr level applied from 24.3 to 87.4 µg g−1. The maximum Cr concentrations in aboveground biomass fractions (average value of 40.4 mg kg−1) were found in the seeds, regardless of treatment. The low Cr content in the aboveground biomass suggests that hemp can be considered an excluder species, valid as a candidate for Cr-contaminated soils’ phytomanagement.

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KARAKTERISTIK SPASIAL DAN POTENSI CADANGAN KARBON DI BENTANG ALAM MBELILING NUSA TENGGARA TIMUR

Jurnal Nusa Sylva ◽

10.31938/jns.v21i2.366 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

pp. 65

Author(s):

Serlina H. Oktian ◽

Luluk Setyaningsih ◽

Nengsih Anen ◽

Wahyu C. Adinugroho

Keyword(s):

Aboveground Biomass ◽

Carbon Stock ◽

Vegetation Index ◽

Model Development ◽

Belowground Biomass ◽

Carbon Stocks ◽

Carbon Pools ◽

Average Value ◽

Comprehensive Information ◽

Index Value

Providing comprehensive information on carbon stock data on all carbon pools needs to be done to plan and measure climate change mitigation efforts that are carried out. This research was conducted by analyzing spatial characteristics and estimating carbon stocks with model development. Spatial analysis is carried out to provide an overview of the distribution of spatial values that can use the built model. Estimation of carbon stock is carried out by building a carbon stock estimator model that correlates the value of remote sensing parameters with the value of carbon stocks in all carbon storage sources. The characteristics of the vegetation index value in the forest category are greater than in the non-forest category and vice versa for the distribution of the digital number average value. The model development is only carried out on aboveground biomass and belowground biomass carbon pools. The results of the analysis of the estimation of carbon stocks based on the selected model showed the potential for aboveground biomass was 5,200,841.45 tC and the potential for belowground biomass was 1,317,948.10 tC.

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Role of Two Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria in Remediating Cadmium-Contaminated Soil Combined with Miscanthus floridulus (Lab.)

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10050912 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 912

Author(s):

Shuming Liu ◽

Hongmei Liu ◽

Rui Chen ◽

Yong Ma ◽

Bo Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Contaminated Soils ◽

Translocation Factor ◽

Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria ◽

Bacterial Strains ◽

Pgp Traits ◽

Cd Tolerance ◽

Plant Growth Promoting ◽

Growth Promoting ◽

Cd Translocation

Miscanthus spp. are energy plants and excellent candidates for phytoremediation approaches of metal(loid)s-contaminated soils, especially when combined with plant growth-promoting bacteria. Forty-one bacterial strains were isolated from the rhizosphere soils and roots tissue of five dominant plants (Artemisia argyi Levl., Gladiolus gandavensis Vaniot Houtt, Boehmeria nivea L., Veronica didyma Tenore, and Miscanthus floridulus Lab.) colonizing a cadmium (Cd)-contaminated mining area (Huayuan, Hunan, China). We subsequently tested their plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits (e.g., production of indole-3-acetic acid, siderophore, and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase) and Cd tolerance. Among bacteria, two strains, Klebsiella michiganensis TS8 and Lelliottia jeotgali MR2, presented higher Cd tolerance and showed the best results regarding in vitro growth-promoting traits. In the subsequent pot experiments using soil spiked with 10 mg Cd·kg−1, we investigated the effects of TS8 and MR2 strains on soil Cd phytoremediation when combined with M. floridulus (Lab.). After sixty days of planting M. floridulus (Lab.), we found that TS8 increased plant height by 39.9%, dry weight of leaves by 99.1%, and the total Cd in the rhizosphere soil was reduced by 49.2%. Although MR2 had no significant effects on the efficiency of phytoremediation, it significantly enhanced the Cd translocation from the root to the aboveground tissues (translocation factor > 1). The combination of K. michiganensis TS8 and M. floridulus (Lab.) may be an effective method to remediate Cd-contaminated soils, while the inoculation of L. jeotgali MR2 may be used to enhance the phytoextraction potential of M. floridulus.

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Effects of grazing intensity on organic carbon stock characteristics in Stipa breviflora desert steppe vegetation soil systems

The Rangeland Journal ◽

10.1071/rj16007 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 39 (2) ◽

pp. 169 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Heyun Wang ◽

Zhi Dong ◽

Jianying Guo ◽

Hongli Li ◽

Jinrong Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Organic Carbon ◽

Aboveground Biomass ◽

Carbon Stock ◽

Belowground Biomass ◽

Total Carbon ◽

Desert Steppe ◽

Light Fraction Organic Carbon ◽

Grazing Intensities ◽

Organic Carbon Stock

Grassland ecosystems, an important component of the terrestrial environment, play an essential role in the global carbon cycle and balance. We considered four different grazing intensities on a Stipa breviflora desert steppe: heavy grazing (HG), moderate grazing (MG), light grazing (LG), and an area fenced to exclude livestock grazing as the Control (CK). The analyses of the aboveground biomass, litter, belowground biomass, soil organic carbon and soil light fraction organic carbon were utilised to study the organic carbon stock characteristics in the S. breviflora desert steppe under different grazing intensities. This is important to reveal the mechanisms of grazing impact on carbon processes in the desert steppe, and can provide a theoretical basis for conservation and utilisation of grassland resources. Results showed that the carbon stock was 11.98–44.51 g m–2 in aboveground biomass, 10.43–36.12 g m–2 in plant litters, and 502.30–804.31 g m–2 in belowground biomass (0–40 cm). It was significantly higher in CK than in MG and HG. The carbon stock at 0–40-cm soil depth was 7817.43–9694.16 g m–2, and it was significantly higher in LG than in CK and HG. The total carbon stock in the vegetation-soil system was 8342.14–10494.80 g m–2 under different grazing intensities, with the largest value in LG, followed by MG, CK, and HG. About 90.54–93.71% of the total carbon in grassland ecosystem was reserved in soil. The LG and MG intensities were beneficial to the accumulation of soil organic carbon stock. The soil light fraction organic carbon stock was 484.20–654.62 g m–2 and was the highest under LG intensity. The LG and MG intensities were beneficial for soil nutrient accumulation in the desert steppe.

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Root-Plate Characteristics of Common Aspen in Hemiboreal Forests of Latvia: A Case Study

Forests ◽

10.3390/f12010032 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 32

Author(s):

Valters Samariks ◽

Dace Brizga ◽

Jeļena Rūba ◽

Andris Seipulis ◽

Āris Jansons

Keyword(s):

Root System ◽

Complex Structure ◽

Mineral Soil ◽

Negative Relationship ◽

Tree Height ◽

Belowground Biomass ◽

Rooting Depth ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Coarse Roots ◽

Root Plate

Climate change will cause winds to strengthen and storms to become more frequent in Northern Europe. Windstorms reduce the financial value of forests by bending, breaking, or uprooting trees, and wind-thrown trees cause additional economic losses. The resistance of trees to wind damage depends on tree species, tree- and stand-scale parameters, and root-soil plate characteristics such as root-plate size, weight, and rooting depth. The root-soil plate is a complex structure whose mechanical strength is dependent on root-plate width and depth, as the root system provides root attachment with soil and structural support. In Latvia, the common aspen (Populus tremula L.) root system has been studied to develop a belowground biomass model, because information about root system characteristics in relation to tree wind resistance is scarce. The aim of this study was to assess the root-plate dimensions of common aspen stands on fertile mineral soil (luvisol). Study material was collected in the central region of Latvia, where pure mature (41–60 years old) common aspen stands were randomly selected, and dominant trees within the stand were chosen. In total, ten sample trees from ten stands were uprooted. The diameter at breast height (DBH) and tree height (H) were measured for each sample tree, and their roots were excavated, divided into groups, washed, measured, and weighed. The highest naturally moist biomass values were observed for coarse roots, and fine root biomass was significantly lower compared to other root groups. All root group biomass values had a strong correlation with the tree DBH. The obtained results show that there is a close, negative relationship between the relative distance from the stem and the relative root-plate depth distribution.

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Effect of nitrogen on the distribution of biomass and element composition of the root system of miscanthus × giganteus

Archives of Biological Sciences ◽

10.2298/abs141010017d ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 67 (2) ◽

pp. 547-560 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Zeljko Dzeletovic ◽

Djordje Glamoclija

Keyword(s):

Root System ◽

Aboveground Biomass ◽

Root Biomass ◽

N Fertilization ◽

Element Composition ◽

Simple Experiment ◽

Miscanthus Giganteus ◽

Dry Biomass ◽

Macro And Micronutrients ◽

Mn Concentrations

Perennial bioenergy grass crops, despite a relatively similar production of aboveground biomass, show significant differences in the overall root biomass. Rhizomes play a key role in economizing nutrients in miscanthus. The aim of this research was to establish the effect of N (nitrogen) on the distribution of biomass and concentration of major macro- and micronutrients in the miscanthus root system, using simple experiment in pots. After two years of growth, the rhizomes and roots were taken out of the pots, cleaned of earth and analyzed. About 2/3 of the mass of the miscanthus root system consist of rhizome mass. The overall dry biomass of newly formed rhizomes and roots is decreased with the increase in the amount of applied N fertilization. Thereby, the N concentration in the entire root system, as well as in some of its parts, increased with the rise in applied amount of N. Our results show that increasing amounts of applied N consistently negatively correlate with P concentrations in the miscanthus root system, in contrast to Mn concentrations, with which they correlate positively.

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Two Wheat Cultivars with Contrasting Post-Embryonic Root Biomass Differ in Shoot Re-Growth after Defoliation: Implications for Breeding Grazing Resilient Forages

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants8110470 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (11) ◽

pp. 470

Author(s):

Paez-Garcia ◽

Liao ◽

Blancaflor

Keyword(s):

Winter Wheat ◽

Root Growth ◽

Root System ◽

Aboveground Biomass ◽

Root Traits ◽

Shoot Biomass ◽

Wheat Cultivars ◽

Leaf Clipping ◽

The Impact ◽

Embryonic Root

The ability of forages to quickly resume aboveground growth after grazing is a trait that enables farmers to better manage their livestock for maximum profitability. Leaf removal impairs root growth. As a consequence of a deficient root system, shoot re-growth is inhibited leading to poor pasture performance. Despite the importance of roots for forage productivity, they have not been considered as breeding targets for improving grazing resilience due in large part to the lack of knowledge on the relationship between roots and aboveground biomass re-growth. Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) is extensively used as forage source in temperate climates worldwide. Here, we investigated the impact of leaf clipping on specific root traits, and how these influence shoot re-growth in two winter wheat cultivars (i.e., Duster and Cheyenne) with contrasting root and shoot biomass. We found that root growth angle and post-embryonic root growth in both cultivars are strongly influenced by defoliation. We discovered that Duster, which had less post-embryonic roots before defoliation, reestablished its root system faster after leaf cutting compared with Cheyenne, which had a more extensive pre-defoliation post-embryonic root system. Rapid resumption of root growth in Duster after leaf clipping was associated with faster aboveground biomass re-growth even after shoot overcutting. Taken together, our results suggest that lower investments in the production of post-embryonic roots presents an important ideotype to consider when breeding for shoot re-growth vigor in dual purpose wheat.

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Effects of Stand Age on Biomass Allocation and Allometry of Quercus Acutissima in the Central Loess Plateau of China

Forests ◽

10.3390/f10010041 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 41 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Bin Yang ◽

Wenyan Xue ◽

Shichuan Yu ◽

Jianyun Zhou ◽

Wenhui Zhang

Keyword(s):

Biomass Allocation ◽

Aboveground Biomass ◽

Belowground Biomass ◽

Stem Bark ◽

Stand Age ◽

Tree Biomass ◽

Quercus Acutissima ◽

Stem Wood ◽

Biomass Equations ◽

Total Tree

We studied the effects of stand age on allocation and equation fitting of aboveground and below-ground biomass in four Quercus acutissima stands (14, 31, 46, and 63 years old) in the Central Loess Plateau of China. The stem wood, stem bark, branch, foliage, and belowground biomass of each of the 20 destructive harvesting trees were quantified. The mean total biomass of each tree was 28.8, 106.8, 380.6, and 603.4 kg/tree in the 14-, 31-, 46-, and 63-year-old stands, respectively. Aboveground biomass accounted for 72.25%, 73.05%, 76.14%, and 80.37% of the total tree biomass in the 14-, 31-, 46-, and 63-year-old stands, respectively, and stem wood was the major component of tree biomass. The proportion of stem (with bark) biomass to total tree biomass increased with stand age while the proportions of branch, foliage, and belowground biomass to total tree biomass decreased with stand age. The ratio of belowground biomass to aboveground biomass decreased from 0.39 in the 14-year-old stand to 0.37, 0.31, and 0.24 in the 31-, 46-, and 63-year-old stands, respectively. Age-specific biomass equations in each stand were developed for stem wood, stem bark, aboveground, and total tree. The inclusion of tree height as a second variable improved the total tree biomass equation fitting for middle-aged (31-year-old and 46-year-old) stands but not young (14 years old) and mature (63 years old) stands. Moreover, biomass conversion and expansion factors (BCEFs) varied with stand age, showing a decreasing trend with increasing stand age. These results indicate that stand age alters the biomass allocation of Q. acutissima and results in age-specific allometric biomass equations and BCEFs. Therefore, to obtain accurate estimates of Q. acutissima forest biomass and carbon stocks, age-specific changes need to be considered.

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Accumulation and transport of antimony and arsenic in terrestrial and aquatic plants in an antimony ore concentration area (south-west China)

Environmental Chemistry ◽

10.1071/en20003 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (4) ◽

pp. 314

Author(s):

Ling Li ◽

Lu Liao ◽

Yuhong Fan ◽

Han Tu ◽

Shui Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Contaminated Soils ◽

Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽

Translocation Factor ◽

Pueraria Lobata ◽

West China ◽

Inductively Coupled ◽

South West ◽

High Concentrations ◽

Preferred Species

Environmental contextPhytoremediation requires an understanding of bioconcentration and translocation processes that determine behaviour and fate of potentially toxic elements. We studied the distribution of antimony and arsenic in terrestrial and aquatic soil-plant systems in an antimony ore zone. We found that the common climbing plant Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) is suitable for phyto-stabilisation of antimony-bearing tailings, while tiger grass (Thysanolaena maxima) was able to extract antimony and arsenic from contaminated soils. AbstractAntimony (Sb) pollution is a major environmental issue in China. Many historical abandoned tailings have released high concentrations of Sb and its associated element arsenic (As) to surrounding environments. This has prompted the need to understand accumulation and translocation processes that determine the behaviour and fate of Sb and As in contaminated soil–plant systems and to identify suitable plant species for phytoremediation. Here we investigate distribution of Sb and As in terrestrial and aquatic dominant plant species and associated soils, all of which are naturally found in an Sb ore concentration area in south-west China. Total Sb and As concentrations were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The percentage of soluble Sb and As in the total concentrations were determined; the results showed that the basic soil environment facilitates the release of Sb and As from contaminated soils, and that Sb has higher mobility than As. Bioconcentration factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF) were used for evaluating the ability of plants to accumulate and transport Sb and As, respectively. The results indicated that all selected plant species have the potential to tolerate high concentrations of Sb and As. Consequently, this study suggested that Pueraria lobata (PL) can be used as the preferred species for phytostabilisation of abandoned Sb-bearing tailings, given that PL has well-developed roots and lush leaf tissues and the ability to translocate Sb from roots to aboveground parts. Thysanolaena maxima (TM) is suitable for phyto-extraction of Sb and As in contaminated soils.

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Effects of Ectomycorrhizal Fungi and Heavy Metals (Pb, Zn, and Cd) on Growth and Mineral Nutrition of Pinus halepensis Seedlings in North Africa

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms8122033 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (12) ◽

pp. 2033

Author(s):

Chadlia Hachani ◽

Mohammed S. Lamhamedi ◽

Claudio Cameselle ◽

Susana Gouveia ◽

Abdenbi Zine El Abidine ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Heavy Metal ◽

North Africa ◽

Mineral Nutrition ◽

Contaminated Soils ◽

Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Pinus Halepensis ◽

Translocation Factor ◽

Contaminated Sites ◽

High Concentrations

The pollution of soils by heavy metals resulting from mining activities is one of the major environmental problems in North Africa. Mycorrhizoremediation using mycorrhizal fungi and adapted plant species is emerging as one of the most innovative methods to remediate heavy metal pollution. This study aims to assess the growth and the nutritional status of ectomycorrhizal Pinus halepensis seedlings subjected to high concentrations of Pb, Zn, and Cd for possible integration in the restoration of heavy metals contaminated sites. Ectomycorrhizal and non-ectomycorrhizal P. halepensis seedlings were grown in uncontaminated (control) and contaminated soils for 12 months. Growth, mineral nutrition, and heavy metal content were assessed. Results showed that ectomycorrhizae significantly improved shoot and roots dry masses of P. halepensis seedlings, as well as nitrogen shoot content. The absorption of Pb, Zn, and Cd was much higher in the roots than in the shoots, and significantly more pronounced in ectomycorrhizal seedlings—especially for Zn and Cd. The presence of ectomycorrhizae significantly reduced the translocation factor of Zn and Cd and bioaccumulation factor of Pb and Cd, which enhanced the phytostabilizing potential of P. halepensis seedlings. These results support the use of ectomycorrhizal P. halepensis in the remediation of heavy metal contaminated sites.

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Soil Material Quality and Environmental Potential of Metallically Contaminated Soils

Key Engineering Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/kem.838.164 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 838 ◽

pp. 164-169

Author(s):

Juraj Fazekaš ◽

Danica Fazekašova ◽

Jana Chovancová

Keyword(s):

Contaminated Soils ◽

Agricultural Land ◽

Mining Activity ◽

Limit Values ◽

Soil Material ◽

Risk Elements ◽

Average Value ◽

Potential Index ◽

Environmental Functions

The paper presents the results of the evaluation of the environmental potential of soils in the area affected by the long-term mining activity. The environmental potential index consists of a numerical expression of the ability to provide water storage, immobilization of risk elements, and immobilization and transformation of organic pollutants. The exceedance of the limit values Hg, Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb was found in the soils of the investigated area of central Spiš. The rate of soil immobilization of risk elements is very low to high. The point value expressing the ability of agricultural lands to provide environmental functions is very low to medium in the studied areas, the financial expression of the values of the environmental potentials indexes is in the range of 7 100 to 14 000 € ha-1, while the average value of 1 ha of agricultural land in Slovakia is about 14 200 €.

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