Extraction of heavy metals from contaminated soil by Cinnamomum camphora

Current status of soil and groundwater remediation technologies in Taiwan

The purpose of this review is the analysis of the soil and groundwater remediation technologies referred as in situ chemical oxidation and phytoremediation, and to discuss the successes that have been made. The technology of phytoremediation has yet to be commercially accepted but shows emerging capabilities. In situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) is a frequently used technology in Taiwan for the remediation of organic compounds. Several studies have been conducted in Taiwan so show their feasibility and potential. This article reviews studies concerning these two remediation technologies. Other processes such as monitored natural attenuation, flushing, thermal treatment, or soil washing are not covered within this article.

Enhancement of phytoextraction by Taiwanese chenopod and Napier grass by soapnut saponin and EDDS additions

Employment of biosurfactants and biodegradable chelants could further promote sustainability of soil and groundwater remediation tasks. Biosurfactant (soapnut saponin) and biodegrading chelants (ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS)) were employed to enhance the phytoextraction by native Taiwanese chenopod (Chenopodium formosanum Koidz.), Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) cultivar Taishi No. 4, and soapwort (Saponaria officinalis). Ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) was also employed as the control. Contaminated soils as silty clay loam texture was collected from a defunct rice paddy, containing chromium (Cr), cadium (Cd), and copper (Cu). Addition of both soapnut saponin and EDDS proportionally increased bioaccumulation factors (BCFs) of aboveground biomass for all three plants. Taiwanese chenopod demonstrated the best BCF values among three plants, with BCF increased from 0.76 to 2.6 and 1.3 for Cu under the presence of the highest dosages of EDDS and saponin. Plant aboveground biomass did exhibit negative correlation toward biomass metal concentrations. Presence of saponin did exhibit the least negative slopes among the correlations of all three additives for three plants. Taiwanese chenopod did exhibit the least negative slopes among the correlations of all three additives for three plants. Above observations suggested that saponin may have some protection for plants, especially for Napier grass. Taiwanese chenopod could possess more tolerance toward heavy metals than Napier grass does.

Phytostabilization potential of ornamental plants grown in soil contaminated with cadmium

In a greenhouse experiment, five ornamental plants, Osmanthus fragrans (OF), Ligustrum vicaryi L. (LV), Cinnamomum camphora (CC), Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum (LC), and Euonymus japonicas cv. Aureo-mar (EJ), were studied for the ability to phytostabilization for Cd-contaminated soil. The results showed that these five ornamental plants can grow normally when the soil Cd content is less than 24.6 mg·kg^-1. Cd was mainly deposited in the roots of OF, LV, LC and EJ which have grown in Cd-contaminated soils, and the maximum Cd contents reached 15.76, 19.09, 20.59 and 32.91 mg·kg^-1, respectively. For CC, Cd was mainly distributed in the shoots and the maximum Cd content in stems and leaves were 12.5 and 10.71 mg·kg^-1, however, the total amount of Cd in stems and leaves was similar with the other ornamental plants. The enzymatic activities in Cd-contaminated soil were benefited from the five tested ornamental plants remediation. Soil urease and sucrase activities were improved, while dehydrogenase activity was depressed. Meanwhile, the soil microbial community was slightly influenced when soil Cd content is less than 24.6 mg·kg^-1 under five ornamental plants remediation. The results further suggested that ornamental plants could be promising candidates for phytostabilization of Cd-contaminated soil.

Interactive effects of sulfur and chromium on antioxidative defense systems and BnMP1 gene expression in canola (Brassica napus L.) cultivars differing in Cr(VI) tolerance

Plants suffer with combined stress of sulfur (S) deficiency and hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] in soils. There are a few reports on the interactive effects of S-deficiency and Cr(VI) stress. Therefore, the interactions between S nutrition and Cr(VI) stress were investigated in hydroponically grown canola (Brassica napus L.) cultivars differing in Cr(VI) tolerance. The relatively Cr(VI)-tolerant (NK Petrol) and Cr(VI)-susceptible (Sary) cultivars were grown in S-sufficient nutrient solution and then exposed to variable S concentrations [deficient (0 mM S, -S) and sufficient (1 mM S, +S)]. The seedlings were then exposed to 100 μM Cr(VI) for 3 days. S-deficiency (-S/-Cr) and combined stress (-S/+Cr) caused a significant decrease in growth parameters of Sary than NK Petrol (P < 0.05). In -S/+Cr treatment, Cr accumulation in Sary was significantly higher than NK Petrol. The higher level of Cr in Sary increased lipid peroxidation and decreased chlorophyll content. The activities of antioxidant enzymes and cysteine content were significantly higher in NK Petrol than in Sary under combined stress. The levels of ascorbate (AsA) and glutathione (GSH) were significantly decreased by S deficiency. The expression level of metallothionein gene (BnMP1) in the tolerant NK Petrol was increased by -S/+Cr treatment. However, expression level of BnMP1 gene in the susceptible Sary was enhanced by +S/+Cr treatment. This result suggests metallothionein (MT) may be involved in Cr(VI) tolerance under S-deficient condition. In conclusion, S nutrition influenced Cr accumulation and enhanced tolerance caused by a positive effect on defense systems and gene expression.