Differential distribution of metals in tree tissues growing on reclaimed coal mine overburden dumps, Jharia coal field (India)

Assessment and estimation of coal dust impact on vegetation using VIs difference model and PRISMA hyperspectral data in mining sites

This work focuses on dust detection, and estimation of vegetation in coal mining sites using the vegetation indices (VIs) differences model and PRISMA hyperspectral imagery. The results were validated by ground survey spectral and foliar dust data. The findings indicate that the highest Separability (S), Coefficient of discrimination (R2), and lowest Probability (P) values were found for the narrow-banded Narrow-banded Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Transformed Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (TSAVI), and Tasselled Cap Transformation Greenness (TC-greenness) indices. These indices have been utilized for the Vegetation Combination (VC) index analysis. Compared to other VC indices, this VC index revealed the highest difference (29.77%), which led us to employ this index for the detection of healthy and dust-affected areas. The foliar dust model was developed for the estimation and mapping of dust impact on vegetation using the VIs differences models (VIs diff models), laboratory dust amounts, and leaf spectral regression analysis. Based on the highest R2 (0.90), the narrow-banded TC-greenness differenced VI was chosen as the best VI, and the coefficient (L) value (-7.75gm/m2) was used for estimating the amount of foliar dust in coal mining sites. Compared to other indices-based difference dust models, the narrow-banded TC-greenness difference image had the highest R2 (0.71) and lowest RMSE (4.95 gm/m2). According to the findings, the areas with the highest dust include those with mining haul roads, transportation, rail lines, dump areas, tailing ponds, backfilling, and coal stockyard sides. This study also showed a significant inverse relationship (R2 = 0.84) among vegetation dust classes, leaf canopy spectrum, and distance from mines. This study provides a new way for estimating dust on vegetation based on advanced hyperspectral remote sensing (PRISMA) and field spectral analysis techniques that may be helpful for vegetation dust monitoring and environmental management in mining sites.

The scientific landscape of phytoremediation of tailings: a bibliometric and scientometric analysis

This article seeks to evaluate the scientific landscape of the phytoremediation of mine tailings through a series of bibliometric and scientometric techniques. Phytoremediation has emerged as a sustainable approach to remediate metal-contaminated mine waste areas. A scientometric analysis of 913 publications indexed in Web of Science from 1999 to 2023 was conducted using CiteSpace. The results reveal an expanding, interdisciplinary field with environmental sciences as the core category. Keyword analysis of 561 nodes and 2,825 links shows a focus on plant-metal interactions, microbial partnerships, bioavailability, and field validation. Co-citation analysis of 1,032 nodes and 2,944 links identifies seminal works on native species, plant-microbe interactions, and amendments. Temporal mapping of 15 co-citation clusters indicates a progression from early risk assessments and native plant inquiries to integrated biological systems, economic feasibility, and sustainability considerations. Recent trends emphasize multidimensional factors influencing adoption, such as plant-soil-microbe interactions, organic amendments, and field-scale performance evaluation. The findings demonstrate an intensifying translation of phytoremediation from scientific novelty to engineering practice. This quantitative and qualitative analysis of research trends aids in understanding the development of phytoremediation for mine tailings. The results provide valuable insights for researchers and practitioners in this evolving field.

Review of soil environment quality in India near coal mining regions: current and future predictions

Production and utilization of coal are one of the primary routes of accumulation of Toxic Elements (TEs) in the soil. The exploration of trends in the accumulation of TEs is essential to establishing a soil pollution strategy, implementing cost-effective remediation, and early warnings of ecological risks. This study provides a comprehensive review of soil concentrations and future accumulation trends of various TEs (Cr, Ni, Pb, Co, Cu, Cd, Zn, Fe, Mn, and As) in Indian coal mines. The findings revealed that average concentrations of Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Co surpass India's natural background soil levels by factors of 2, 4.05, 5.32, 1.77, 9.6, and 6.15, respectively. Geo-accumulation index values revealed that 27.3%, 14.3%, and 7.7% of coal mines are heavily polluted by Ni, Co, and Cu, respectively. Also, the Potential Ecological Risk Index indicates that Cd and Ni are primary contaminants in coal mines. Besides, the health risk assessment reveals oral ingestion as the main exposure route for soil TMs. Children exhibit a higher hazard index than adults, with Pb and Cr being major contributors to their non-carcinogenic risk. In addition, carcinogenic risks exist for females and children, with Cr and Cu as primary contributors. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed that TEs (except Cd) accumulated in the soil from anthropogenic sources. The assessment of future accumulation trends in soil TE concentrations reveals dynamic increases that significantly impact both the ecology and humans at elevated levels. This study signifies a substantial improvement in soil quality and risk management in mining regions.

Distribution and migration of heavy metals in the sediment-plant system: Case study of a large-scale constructed wetland for sewage treatment

Constructed wetlands are extensively applied in wastewater treatment and water ecosystem restoration. However, the characteristics of heavy metals accumulation and migration in a long-running large-scale constructed wetland for wastewater treatment remain unclear. In this study, the variation of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr, and As) in the sediment-plant system of a wetland that has been operating for 14 years was quantified. Results show that the sediments of the constructed wetland were the sink for heavy metals. All heavy metals, except As, significantly increased (P < 0.05) in sediments within 0-40 cm depth, and Zn and Cr had leaked to 40-60 cm depth (P < 0.05). Along with the surface flow direction, heavy metal concentrations mostly showed a declining trend, and in comparison, Cu and Cr transported longer distances. Bioconcentration factors show that the two common wetland plants, Phragmites australis and Typha latifolia, exhibited obvious differences in enrichment performance of heavy metals, with the orders of Zn > Cr > Cd > Cu > Pb > As and Cd > Zn > Cr > Cu > As > Pb, respectively. The translocation factors of the two kinds of plants were less than 1 suggesting that they are suitable for phytostabilization. Redundancy analysis indicates that sediment organic matter was the primary environmental factor affecting the distribution and migration of heavy metals in the wetland system. The discrepancy in the migration characteristics of pollutants, especially heavy metals, should be seriously considered in the design and management of wetland systems, including highly-enrichment plants, appropriate hydraulic residence time, and effective surficial filling medium.

Positive relationships between insects and negative with spiders on Acacia auriculiformis (Fabaceae) plants in the savannah biome and their distribution pattern

Abstract Forest restoration is mainly based on plant-soil relationships and plant species with economic potential, but those between insects and other arthropods are also important to this reestablishment. The objective was to evaluate, during 24 months, the relationships between tending ants, Hemiptera phytophagous, predators and their distribution pattern (aggregated, random or uniform). The arthropods were sampled, stored and identified and their relationships and distribution patterns calculated with the BioDiversity-Pro software. The number of tending ants and phytophagous Hemiptera, Brachymyrmex sp. and Aethalion reticulatum, Cephalotes and Aleyrodidae were positively correlated. Tending ants were negatively correlated with Sternorrhyncha predators on A. auriculiformis saplings. The distribution of arthropods was aggregated, except for Teudis sp. and Cephalocoema sp., with a random pattern. The herbivores Stereoma anchoralis, Aethalion reticulatum and Tetragonisca angustula and the predators Brachymyrmex sp. and Dolichopodidae were the most abundant arthropods. The relationships between the arthropods studied on A. auriculiformis indicate that this plant, even introduced, is suitable for programs to recover degraded areas in the savannah.

Exploring the last 50 years of Indian research on the impact of coal mining using bibliometric analysis with an overview of water-related impacts

This paper throws light on the bibliometric review of the impact of coal mining in India over the past 50 years, emphasizing environmental, especially water-related impacts. The data were refined from the Web of Science database and analyzed in a bibliometric map visualization software tool, VOSviewer, to grasp the research focus, status quo and analyze the trend and direction of the work being carried out in this area. The methodology was covered in three phases: search and document selection, software and data extraction, and analysis of results and trends. The study results indicated that (i) the publication has increased in the past two decades (2001-2021) with a steep increase in the period from 2010 to 2021 with 74.68% article types documents and a mere 7.74% review documents. (ii) In India, the significant contribution is made by the Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad with Department of Science and Technology as a primary funding agency. (iii) The bibliometric map of co-occurrence of author keywords showed that keywords relating to the "pollution" (connected to air, water) from "Jharia coalfield" have highest occurrences in the relevant published works of literature and topics like "reclamation," "mine spoil," and application of approaches like "remote sensing and GIS" have lower linkage strengths in general. (iv) The result of the co-citation network study has marked the most significant authors and the highly cited sources of the database revealing Ghose M.K. and Singh A.K. as among the most cited authors with citations more than 150 in the field of our interest. (v) The trend of publication in the research area of Water Resources showed a significant increase after 2015. The keyword occurrence map reveals that water quality studies have been extensively studied, but quantifications of the coal mining-induced changes in water regimes at river basin scales are absent.

Integrating Broussonetia papyrifera and Two Bacillus Species to Repair Soil Antimony Pollutions

Heavy metal resistant bacteria play an important role in the metal biogeochemical cycle in soil, but the benefits of microbial oxidation for plants and soil have not been well-documented. The purpose of this study was to explore the contribution of two Bacillus spp. to alleviate the antimony (Sb) toxicity in plants, and, then, to propose a bioremediation method for Sb contaminated soil, which is characterized by environmental protection, high efficiency, and low cost. This study explored the effects of Bacillus cereus HM5 and Bacillus thuringiensis HM7 inoculation on Broussonetia papyrifera and soil were evaluated under controlled Sb stressed conditions (0 and 100 mmol/L, antimony slag) through a pot experiment. The results show that the total root length, root volume, tips, forks, crossings, and root activities of B. papyrifera with inoculation are higher than those of the control group, and the strains promote the plant absorption of Sb from the soil environment. Especially in the antimony slag treatment group, B. cereus HM5 had the most significant effect on root promotion and promoting the absorption of Sb by B. papyrifera. Compared with the control group, the total root length, root volume, tips, forks, crossings, and root activities increased by 64.54, 70.06, 70.04, 78.15, 97.73, and 12.95%, respectively. The absorption of Sb by root, stem, and leaf increased by 265.12, 250.00, and 211.54%, compared with the control group, respectively. Besides, both B. cereus HM5 and B. thuringiensis HM7 reduce the content of malondialdehyde, proline, and soluble sugars in plant leaves, keeping the antioxidant enzyme activity of B. papyrifera at a low level, and alleviating lipid peroxidation. Principal component analysis (PCA) shows that both B. cereus HM5 and B. thuringiensis HM7 are beneficial to the maintenance of plant root functions and the improvement of the soil environment, thereby alleviating the toxicity of Sb. Therefore, B. cereus HM5 and B. thuringiensis HM7 in phytoremediation with B. papyrifera is a promising inoculant used for bacteria-assisted phytoremediation on Sb contaminated sites.

Percentage of importance indice-production unknown: loss and solution sources identification on system

Abstract Indices are used to help on decision-making. This study aims to develop and test an index, which can determine the loss (e.g., herbivorous insects) and solution (e.g., natural enemies) sources. They will be classified according to their importance regarding the ability to damage or to reduce the source of damage to the system when the final production is unknown. Acacia auriculiformis (Fabales: Fabaceae), a non-native pioneer species in Brazil with fast growth and rusticity, is used in restoration programs, and it is adequate to evaluate a new index. The formula was: Percentage of the Importance Indice-Production Unknown (% I.I.-PU) = [(ks1 x c1 x ds1)/Σ (ks1 x c1 x ds1) + (ks2 x c2 x ds2) + (ksn x cn x dsn)] x 100. The loss sources Aethalion reticulatum L., 1767 (Hemiptera: Aethalionidae), Aleyrodidae (Hemiptera), Stereoma anchoralis Lacordaire, 1848 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), and Tettigoniidae, and solution sources Uspachus sp. (Araneae: Salticidae), Salticidae (Araneae), and Pseudomyrmex termitarius (Smith, 1877) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) showed the highest % I.I.-PU on leaves of A. auriculiformis saplings. The number of Diabrotica speciosa Germar, 1824 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) was reduced per number of Salticidae; that of A. reticulatum that of Uspachus sp.; and that of Cephalocoema sp. (Orthoptera: Proscopiidae) that of P. termitarius on A. auriculiformis saplings. However, the number of Aleyrodidae was increased per number of Cephalotes sp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and that of A. reticulatum that of Brachymyrmex sp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on A. auriculiformis saplings. The A. reticulatum damage was reduced per number of Uspachus sp., but the Aleyrodidae damage was increased per number of Cephalotes sp., totaling 23.81% of increase by insect damages on A. auriculiformis saplings. Here I show and test the % I.I.-PU. It is an new index that can detect the loss or solution sources on a system when production is unknown. It can be applied in some knowledge areas.

Distribution pattern of arthropods on the leaf surfaces of Acacia auriculiformis saplings

Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. Ex Benth. (Fabaceae), a non-native pioneer species in Brazil with fast growth and rusticity, is used in restoration programs. Our goal was to assess during a 24-month survey the pattern of arthropods (phytophagous insects, bees, spiders, and predator insects) on the leaf surfaces of A. auriculiformis saplings. Fourteen species of phytophagous, two of bees and eleven of predators were most abundant on the adaxial surface. The values of the ecological indexes (abundance, diversity, and species richness) and the rarefaction, and k-dominance curves of phytophagous, bees and arthropod predators were highest on the adaxial leaf surface of A. auriculiformis. The k-dominance and abundance of Aleyrodidae (Hemiptera) (both leaf surfaces), the native stingless bee Tetragonisca angustula Latreille (Hymenoptera: Apidae) (both leaf surfaces) and the ant Brachymyrmex sp. (adaxial surface) and Pheidole sp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) (abaxial surface) were the highest between the taxonomic groups of phytophagous, bees, and predators, respectively on A. auriculiformis saplings. The ecological indexes and rarefaction, abundance, and k-dominance curves of phytophagous insects, bees, and predators were highest on the adaxial leaf surface. The preference of phytophagous insects for the adaxial leaf surface is probably due to the lower effort required to move on this surface. Understanding the arthropod preferences between leaf surfaces may help to develop sampling and pest management plans for the most abundant phytophagous insects on A. auriculiformis saplings. Also, knowledge on the preference pattern of bees and predators may be used to favour their conservation.

The bio-availability and accumulation of the trace elements in rock-soil-fruit system in carbonatite regions of different stratums: Critical soil factors and transfer models

For exploring the key factors affecting trace element accumulation in crops in limestone soil derived from limestone area of different stratums, the loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) orchard of three limestone units (Middle Devonian, Upper Devonian and Middle Cambrian) in Mengzi city of Yunnan Province, China were investigated. Loquat fruits grown on soil from Middle Devonian limestone exhibited significantly higher bio-enrichment in cadmium. The Middle Devonian (Chemical Index of Alteration [CIA] = 86.07) and Upper Devonian (CIA = 84.84) soils were more weathered than those derived from Middle Cambrian rocks (CIA = 74.42). In the Middle Devonian limestone area, Fe element (for As uptake into fruit), Al element (for Cu and Zn) and metal speciation (for Cd, extracted by diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid) in the soil were the important influencing factors. For the Upper Devonian, soil weathering was found to be the key factors controlling fruit Cu uptake, respectively. For the Middle-Cambrian-derived soils, soil Ca concentration and pH played a critical role in Cd accumulation in fruit. In conclusion, under acidic soil conditions derived from limestone, the Ca concentration and metal fraction in the soil are the pivotal factors affecting Cd accumulation of fruit, whereas the soil Fe element content control the fruit As and Pb uptake. These results are helpful to further understand the migration regularity of trace elements into fruit in different limestone geology types.

Plant metal concentrations in Theobroma cacao as affected by soil metal availability in different soil types

Beans of cacao (Theobroma cacaoL.) are used to produce a variety of chocolate products. Bioaccumulation of metals at toxic levels through the consumption of contaminated products has been identified as a health concern in humans. Both metal diversity and concentration as well as their interactions in the soil influence essential and non-essential metal uptake in plants; but the effects of these on bioaccumulation of metals in cacao is not understood across diverse soil types. In this study eight metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were investigated in 12 soil subgroups belonging to four soil orders across 15 locations in Trinidad, with the aim to investigate the effect of soil metal diversity and concentration on metal bioaccumulation in cacao. Soil metals were extracted using five methods (aqua regia, DTPA, Mehlich 3, nitric acid, and water). Cacao leaf metal concentrations were determined using the USEPA 3052 method. Metal extraction efficiency ranged between methods with aqua regia ≥ nitric acid > Mehlich 3 ≥ DTPA ≥ water across all metals. The soil extraction method that best predicted cacao leaf metal concentrations varied with the metal - Mehlich 3 or DTPA for Cd, Ni, Zn; aqua regia, Mehlich 3, or nitric acid for Pb, and water for Mn. A stepwise regression analysis showed that plant metal concentration can be predicted using soil physicochemical characteristics as well as the concentration of metals in the soil. The importance of soil type on cacao leaf metal bioaccumulation is discussed.

Improvement of manganese phytoremediation by Broussonetia papyrifera with two plant growth promoting (PGP) Bacillus species

Combining phytoremediation plants and microorganisms is a promising method of remediating heavy metal contaminated soil. In this study, two manganese-tolerant strains were isolated from Mn slag and identified as Bacillus cereus HM5 and Bacillus thuringiensis HM7. These two Bacillus spp. have the ability to dissolve phosphorus, produce IAA and iron carrier. A pot experiment of Broussonetia papyrifera was conducted to explore potential of B. cereus HM5 and B. thuringiensis HM7 to improve effect of remedying Mn pollution by B. papyrifera. The strains were inoculated under different Mn treated (5 mmol/L, 50 mmol/L, Mn slag) respectively and the growth, root structure, root activity, physiological and biochemical characteristics of the leaves and accumulation of Mn for B. papyrifera were determinated. The effects of the soil environment to remediation were observed, the results showed that the biomass, total root length, surface area, crossings, tips, forks and root activity of B. papyrifera with inoculated strain were higher than those of the control group. The inoculation of these two Bacillus spp. increased the absorption of Mn by B. papyrifera and the concentration of Mn in the aerial parts of plants, indicating that the two strains could promote the growth of B. papyrifera and the accumulation of Mn. In addition, microbes reduced malonaldehyde content and the activities of antioxidant enzymes in leaves, suggesting that the two Bacillus spp. reduced Mn-induced oxidative stress. The principal component analysis showed that the added Bacillus strain prefer to promote plant root function maintenance and improve soil environment, rather than direct adsorption of heavy metals. These observations indicated that B. cereus HM5 and B. thuringiensis HM7 were valuable microorganisms, which could improve the remediating efficiency of B. papyrifera under Mn-contaminated soil.

Ecological indices of phytophagous Hemiptera and their natural enemies on Acacia auriculiformis (Fabales: Fabaceae) plants with or without dehydrated sewage sludge application in a degraded area

Soil fertilization with dehydrated sewage sludge (DSS) accelerates the recovery process of degraded areas by improving nutrient concentration, and favors the development of trophic webs with pioneer plants such as Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. ex Beth (Fabales: Fabaceae), phytophagous Hemiptera, predators, and protocooperanting ants. This study aimed to evaluate the development and production of A. auriculiformis litter with or without dehydrated sewage sludge application and the ecological indices of sucking insects (Hemiptera), their predators and protocooperating ants, as bioindicators, in a degraded area for 24 months. Complete randomization was applied for two treatments (with or without application of dehydrated sewage sludge) in 24 replications (one repetition = one plant). We evaluated the number of leaves/branch and branches/plant, percentage of soil cover (litter), ecological indices of phytophagous Hemiptera, their predators, and protocooperating ants. The plants of A. auriculiformis, that were applied with dehydrated sewage sludge, had superior development when compared to plants where DSS were not applied. The highest abundance and richness of phytophagous Hemiptera species and Sternorrhyncha predators occurred on A. auriculiformis plants that were applied with dehydrated sewage sludge. The increase in richness of species of protocooperanting ants that established mutualistic relationships positively influenced the phytophagous Hemiptera. The use of A. auriculiformis, with application of dehydrated sewage sludge, can increase recovery of degraded areas due to its higher soil cover (e.g., litter) and results in higher ecological indices of phytophagous Hemiptera and their predators.

Isotope tracers for lead and strontium sources in the Tieguanyin tea garden soils and tea leaves

The concentrations of Pb & Sr in Tieguanyin tea leaves and soils from 15 tea gardens of Anxi, China, were determined and the sources of Pb & Sr in soil and leaf samples were analysed using isotope tracing technology. The results showed pH in soils had significant correlations to both acid-extractable Pb & Sr in soils and new leaves. The Pb concentration in leaves was significantly lower than that in soils, especially the acid-extractable Pb in soils. The low Bio-concentration Factor (BCF) indicated the bioavailable Pb in soils could not easily be transferred to leaves. The contribution rates of parent material were 61%-100% and 45%-100% for total Pb isotope and acid-extractable Pb isotope in soils, respectively, indicating a low impact of human activity. A sizeable influence of parent material for leaves was also observed, suggesting that Pb may be present in the dust-fall. Although Sr concentrations in leaves were not high, they exceeded that in soils. The high BCF also indicated that tea has a high capacity to accumulate Sr, with the coincidence that Sr⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶ in the acid-extractable isotope in soils were similar to new leaves. A Pb-Sr joint tracer indicated that Sr in old and new leaves may be influenced by parent material and anthropogenic sources, respectively.

Distribution and health risk assessment of potentially toxic elements in soils around coal industrial areas: A global meta-analysis

Coal production and utilization are recognized as two principal sources of potentially toxic elements in the environment. Here the published literature (2008-2018) was searched to collect data on As, Ni, Cd, Cu, Cr, Hg, Pb and Zn concentrations in soils near different types of coal industrial areas such as coal mines, thermal power plants, coal chemical plants, coal mining cities and coal waster piles. The contamination levels of soils and associated health risks were assessed using global reference materials and multiple contamination indices. The results revealed that average concentrations of potentially toxic elements varied widely, yet most of them exceeded global averages in background soils and upper continental crust concentrations. Spatial distribution analysis suggested the concentrations of potentially toxic elements varied according to coalification and combustion conditions. Higher concentrations were found in Southeast Asia, South Europe, and North Africa compared with other regions. Assessment of the geoaccumulation index revealed that contamination levels of Cd and Hg were higher than those of other elements. In particular, Ni, Cd, Zn, and Hg were most likely to accumulate in soils near coal mining areas, while Cd and Hg tended to accumulate near coal chemical plants. Regarding non-carcinogenic risks, oral ingestion was the major pathway of exposure to potentially toxic elements in coal industry-associated soils, followed by dermal contact and inhalation. Tolerable non-carcinogenic risk of potentially toxic elements and relatively high carcinogenic risks of As were observed. Children were most vulnerable to non-carcinogenic risks, while the carcinogenic risks estimated for adult and children populations were similar. Accordingly, As should be designated as top candidates for priority control to protect human health in the vicinity of coal industry-associated areas. This study provides timely information for developing control and management strategies to reduce soil contamination by potentially toxic elements in different types of coal industrial areas.

Phytoremediation: Metal decontamination of soils after the sequential forestation of former opencast coal land

Phytoremediation through forestry may be an effective means for reducing the metal loading in lands reclaimed after surface-coal-mining in the UK. Planted with mixed woodland, the soil loading of 5 key metals (Zn, Cd, Mn, Pb and Cu) decreased, significantly and progressively, compared to soils left as grassland through a 14 year forestation chronosequence on land reclaimed from the former Varteg opencast coalmine, South Wales. Fourteen years after initial tree planting, soil metal loadings decreased by 52% for Cd (4.3 mg∙kg^-1 per year), 48% for Cu (2.1 mg∙kg^-1 per year), 47% for Zn (7.3 mg∙kg^-1 per year), 44% for Pb. (7.1 mg∙kg^-1 per year) and 35% for Mn (45 mg.kg-1 per year). Analysis of metal loadings in the leaves of Alnus glutinosa (L. Gaertn) (Common Alder) and Betula pendula (Roth) (Silver Birch) found both to be involved in metal uptake with birch taking up more Cd, Cu, Zn and Mn and Alder more Pb. Concentrations of Zn, Mn and Cd (Birch only) increased significantly in leaves from, but not in soils, under older plantings. Since different tree species take up metals at different rates, mixed plantings may be more effective in forest phytoremediation.

Heavy metal mediated phytotoxic impact on winter wheat: oxidative stress and microbial management of toxicity byBacillus subtilisBM2

Heavy metals are toxic environmental contaminants, which severely affect microbial composition and functions and, concurrently, crop production. Due to these issues, the present study focussed on the selection of metal tolerant microbes endowed with metal detoxification abilities and their role in the management and remediation of metal contaminated soils. The metal tolerant bacterium BM2, identified as Bacillus subtilis by 16SrRNA gene sequencing, survived well under metal pressure and tolerated 1600 and 2000 μg mL⁻¹ of Ni and Pb, respectively. The inhibitory impact of metals on wheat increased consistently with a progressive increase in metal concentration. Deposition of Ni and Pb within root and leaf and oxidative stress were validated by SEM, EDX and CLSM. The overall growth parameters of wheat grown under metal stress were improved following B. subtilis BM2 colonization. As an example, B. subtilis with 195 mg Pb kg⁻¹ enhanced the length and dry biomass of shoots by 14% and 23%, respectively, over the control. Also, strain BM2 improved the grain yield significantly by 49% at 870 mg Ni kg⁻¹ and by 50% at 585 mg Pb kg⁻¹ compared to uninoculated plants. Moreover, B. subtilis BM2 relieved the metal stress on wheat and caused a significant drop in proline and malondialdehyde content and the activities of antioxidant enzymes, like catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR). This study, therefore, provided solutions to the metal toxicity problems faced by winter wheat and clearly suggests that the metal detoxification potential of B. subtilis BM2 could be greatly useful in the management of metal polluted soils.

The bacterial management of heavy metal toxicity to durum wheat under a metal stressed environment was demonstrated.

Restoration of Vegetation in Relation to Soil Properties of Spoil Heap Heavily Contaminated with Heavy Metals

The main objectives of our study were to evaluate soil contamination on a zinc-lead spoil heap in the Upper Silesian Industrial Region in southern Poland using pollution indices, and to investigate the relation between soil properties and the natural succession of vegetation. Organic carbon and nitrogen, pH, soil texture, base cations, and heavy metal content were analyzed in soil samples at depths of 0-15 cm below the organic horizon over a regular grid of 14 sampling plots. The contents of Zn, Pb, and Cd exceeded by several times the acceptable thresholds. Measurements of soil enzyme activity were used to evaluate the progress of vegetation development in relation to soil chemical properties. The results indicate that heavy metals had a significant impact on soil enzyme activity and the development of vegetation cover. High contents of Pb and Cd reduced enzyme activity, while this activity increased with increasing amounts of soil organic matter. Further, the accumulative capacities of heavy metals in needles of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and aboveground biomass of bladder campion (Silene vulgaris (Moench) Garcke) were examined. A high accumulation of Zn, Pb, and Cd in the aboveground tissues of S. vulgaris indicated an unusual tolerance of this species to heavy metals and the possibility of using this species in phytoremediation of post-industrial sites.

Chronological Variation of Metals in Reclaimed Coal Mine Soil and Tissues of Eucalyptus Hybrid Tree After 25 Years of Reclamation, Jharia Coal Field (India)

Fast-growing metal-accumulating woody trees are potential candidates for phytoremediation of coal mine overburden (OB) dumps. The present study assessed chronological variation in metals (Pb, Zn, Mn, Cu, and Co) concentration in reclaimed mine soil (RMS) and tissues (leaf, stem bark, stem wood, root bark and root wood) of Eucalyptus hybrid tree between 3 and 25-year old OB dumps (RMS3 and RMS25) from Jharia coal field (India). Total metal concentrations of Pb, Zn, and Cu in RMS25 were 1.55, 3.46, and 1.44 times lower (p < 0.05), respectively, than RMS3. Higher concentrations of total (110%-565%) and available form (DTPA-extractable) of metals (109%-480%) were observed in RMS25 than in control soil. Pb selectively accumulated in stem bark, Zn and Mn in leaves, and Cu and Co in root wood. Metal concentrations were higher (1.04-4.15 times at p < 0.05) in tree tissues growing on RMS25 than in RMS3. This study concluded that Eucalyptus hybrid could be utilized for reclamation of coal mine OB dumps.

Municipal wastewater treatment potential and metal accumulation strategies of Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott and Typha latifolia L. in a constructed wetland

This paper elucidates phytoremediation potential of two wetland plants (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott and Typha latifolia L.) for municipal wastewater treatment using constructed wetland (CW) mesocosms. The concentrations (mg L^-1) of chemical oxygen demand (COD), total kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), Cu, Cd, Cr, Zn, and Pb in municipal wastewater were higher than permissible Indian standards for inland surface water disposal; however, Mn and Ni were within the permissible limits. The pollutant removal efficiencies of planted CWs varied as electrical conductivity (EC) 67.8-71.4%; COD 70.7-71.1%; TKN 63.8-72.3%; Cu 75.3-83.4%; Cd 73.9-83.1%; Mn 74.1-74.5%; Cr 64.8-73.6%; Co 82.2-84.2%; Zn 63.3-66.1%; Pb 71.4-77.9%; and Ni 76-80%. Mass balance analysis revealed that the loss of metals from wastewater was equivalent to net accumulation in plants and natural degradation of metals. Metal accumulation strategies of plants were investigated using bioconcentration factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF) of metals which indicated that both plants could be employed for phytostabilization (BCF > 1 and TF < 1) of Cu, Cd, Co, Pb, and Ni and phytoextraction (BCF > 1 and TF > 1) of Mn and Zn. The study demonstrated that a reduction of pollutants (except Pb) was observed within permissible levels (BIS) and suggested disposal of municipal wastewater into the inland surface water bodies after 20 days of treatment. The study concluded that both the plants could potentially be used for an efficient municipal wastewater treatment using constructed wetlands.