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Ju W, Liu J, Yang WC, Fan Q, Huang M, Fang L. Enhancing soil ecological security through phytomanagement of tailings in erosion-prone areas. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 462:132730. [PMID: 37820525 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Revegetation is effective in improving soil quality in ecologically fragile areas. However, little is known about the impact of diverse phytomanagement strategies of tailings on soil quality and ecological security in erosion-prone areas. We investigated the water stability, soil aggregate nutrients, and the risk of heavy metal contamination of abandoned tailings under phytomanagement and in adjacent bare land on the Loess Plateau. The results showed that phytomanagement significantly enhanced soil aggregate stability, as demonstrated by higher contents of soil organic carbon (SOC), glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP), aromatic-C, and alkene-C in macro-aggregates. The pollution load index (PLI) and ecological risk index (RI) of soil heavy metals were lower in shrub/herbaceous mixed forests than in natural grasslands and planted forests. The risk of heavy metal contamination was higher in macro-aggregates (>0.25 mm) than in micro-aggregates (<0.25 mm) and was significantly and positively correlated with the SOC and GRSP contents of the aggregates. Our study demonstrates that soil aggregate quality is closely related to the fate of heavy metals. Diversified tailing revegetation measures can improve soil quality and ensure ecological security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenliang Ju
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Ji Liu
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory for Geographical Process Analysis and Simulation, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China; Department of Ecohydrology, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Berlin 12587, Germany
| | - Wen-Chao Yang
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China.
| | - Qiaohui Fan
- Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Min Huang
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Linchuan Fang
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Quaternary Science and Global Change, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an 710061, China.
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Fernández-Braña A, Salgado L, Gallego JLR, Afif E, Boente C, Forján R. Phytoremediation potential depends on the degree of soil pollution: a case study in an urban brownfield. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:67708-67719. [PMID: 37118389 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-26968-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Phytoremediation is a cost-effective nature-based solution for brownfield reclamation. The choice of phytoextraction or phytostabilization strategies is highly relevant when planning full-scale treatments. A suitable approach to identify such species involves the evaluation of plants that grow spontaneously on the contaminated sites. Here, we sought to determine the phytoremediation potential of three spontaneous plant species, namely the trees Acer pseudoplatanus L (A. pseudoplatanus) and Betula celtiberica Rothm. & Vasc (B. celtiberica), and the shrub Buddleja davidii Franch (B. davidii), for the recovery of an urban brownfield. To determine the response of the species to the degree of contamination, we conducted soil and vegetation sampling inside and outside the site. The concentrations of As, Cu, and Zn in soil and plant samples were measured, and then various indexes related to phytoremediation were calculated. The translocation factor and transfer coefficient indicated that vegetation outside the brownfield had phytoextraction capacity while the same plants inside the brownfield revealed phytostabilization properties. Given our results, we propose that the selected species are suitable for phytostabilization strategies in areas with high concentrations of contaminants, whereas they could be used for phytoextraction only in soils with low or moderate levels of pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Fernández-Braña
- INDUROT and Environmental Biogeochemistry and Raw Materials Group, Campus de Mieres, Universidad de Oviedo, Mieres, Asturias, Spain
- Department of Organisms and Systems Biology, Universidad de Oviedo, Mieres, Asturias, Spain
| | - Lorena Salgado
- INDUROT and Environmental Biogeochemistry and Raw Materials Group, Campus de Mieres, Universidad de Oviedo, Mieres, Asturias, Spain
- SMartForest Group, Department of Organisms and Systems Biology, Polytechnic School of Mieres, Universidad de Oviedo, Mieres, Asturias, Spain
| | - José Luis R Gallego
- INDUROT and Environmental Biogeochemistry and Raw Materials Group, Campus de Mieres, Universidad de Oviedo, Mieres, Asturias, Spain
| | - Elías Afif
- Department of Organisms and Systems Biology, Universidad de Oviedo, Mieres, Asturias, Spain
| | - Carlos Boente
- Center for Research in Sustainable Chemistry (CIQSO), University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain
| | - Rubén Forján
- INDUROT and Environmental Biogeochemistry and Raw Materials Group, Campus de Mieres, Universidad de Oviedo, Mieres, Asturias, Spain.
- Department of Organisms and Systems Biology, Universidad de Oviedo, Mieres, Asturias, Spain.
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Guidi Nissim W, Castiglione S, Guarino F, Pastore MC, Labra M. Beyond Cleansing: Ecosystem Services Related to Phytoremediation. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:1031. [PMID: 36903892 PMCID: PMC10005053 DOI: 10.3390/plants12051031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Phytotechnologies used for cleaning up urban and suburban polluted soils (i.e., brownfields) have shown some weakness in the excessive extent of the timeframe required for them to be effectively operating. This bottleneck is due to technical constraints, mainly related to both the nature of the pollutant itself (e.g., low bio-availability, high recalcitrance, etc.) and the plant (e.g., low pollution tolerance, low pollutant uptake rates, etc.). Despite the great efforts made in the last few decades to overcome these limitations, the technology is in many cases barely competitive compared with conventional remediation techniques. Here, we propose a new outlook on phytoremediation, where the main goal of decontaminating should be re-evaluated, considering additional ecosystem services (ESs) related to the establishment of a new vegetation cover on the site. The aim of this review is to raise awareness and stress the knowledge gap on the importance of ES associated with this technique, which can make phytoremediation a valuable tool to boost an actual green transition process in planning urban green spaces, thereby offering improved resilience to global climate change and a higher quality of life in cities. This review highlights that the reclamation of urban brownfields through phytoremediation may provide several regulating (i.e., urban hydrology, heat mitigation, noise reduction, biodiversity, and CO2 sequestration), provisional (i.e., bioenergy and added-value chemicals), and cultural (i.e., aesthetic, social cohesion, and health) ESs. Although future research should specifically be addressed to better support these findings, acknowledging ES is crucial for an exhaustive evaluation of phytoremediation as a sustainable and resilient technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Werther Guidi Nissim
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milan, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Stefano Castiglione
- Department of Chemistry and Biology “A. Zambelli”, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II n◦ 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Guarino
- Department of Chemistry and Biology “A. Zambelli”, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II n◦ 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Pastore
- Politecnico di Milano, Department of Architecture and Urban Studies, Via Bonardi 3, 20133 Milano, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Massimo Labra
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milan, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), 90133 Palermo, Italy
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Klik B, Holatko J, Jaskulska I, Gusiatin MZ, Hammerschmiedt T, Brtnicky M, Liniauskienė E, Baltazar T, Jaskulski D, Kintl A, Radziemska M. Bentonite as a Functional Material Enhancing Phytostabilization of Post-Industrial Contaminated Soils with Heavy Metals. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 15:8331. [PMID: 36499826 PMCID: PMC9735557 DOI: 10.3390/ma15238331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Growing awareness of the risks posed by pollution of the soil environment is leading to the development of new remediation strategies. The technique of aided phytostabilization, which involves the evaluation of new heavy-metal (HM)-immobilizing amendments, together with appropriately selected plant species, is a challenge for environmental protection and remediation of the soil environment, and seems to be promising. In this study, the suitability of bentonite for the technique of aided phytostabilization of soils contaminated with high HM concentrations was determined, using a mixture of two grass species. The HM contents in the tested plants and in the soil were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The application of bentonite had a positive effect on the biomass of the tested plants, and resulted in an increase in soil pH. The concentrations of copper, nickel, cadmium, lead and chromium were higher in the roots than in the above-ground parts of the plants, especially when bentonite was applied to the soil. The addition of the analyzed soil additive contributed significantly to a decrease in the levels of zinc, copper, cadmium and nickel in the soil at the end of the experiment. In view of the above, it can be concluded that the use of bentonite in the aided phytostabilization of soils polluted with HMs, is appropriate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Klik
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jiri Holatko
- Department of Agrochemistry, Soil Science, Microbiology and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Iwona Jaskulska
- Faculty of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, 85-796 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Mariusz Z. Gusiatin
- Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Tereza Hammerschmiedt
- Department of Agrochemistry, Soil Science, Microbiology and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Brtnicky
- Department of Agrochemistry, Soil Science, Microbiology and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ernesta Liniauskienė
- Hydrotechnical Construction Department, Kaunas University of Applied Sciences, Liepu Str. 1, Girionys, LT-53101 Šlienava, Lithuania
| | - Tivadar Baltazar
- Department of Agrochemistry, Soil Science, Microbiology and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Dariusz Jaskulski
- Faculty of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, 85-796 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Antonin Kintl
- Department of Agrochemistry, Soil Science, Microbiology and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- Agricultural Research, Ltd., Zahradni 1, 664 41 Troubsko, Czech Republic
| | - Maja Radziemska
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
- Department of Agrochemistry, Soil Science, Microbiology and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic
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Zhang Q, Fang H, Shang K. Effect of Exogenous Plant Debris and Microbial Agents on Phytoremediation of Copper-Contaminated Soil in Shanghai. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:3056. [PMID: 36432785 PMCID: PMC9693022 DOI: 10.3390/plants11223056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Bioaugmentation is an important measure for improving the efficiency of phytoremediation. The objective was to identify the role of exogenous plant debris with different processing and microbial agents for soil characteristics, copper bioavailability and phytoextraction. The experimental design consisted of four blocks, which were divided into 48 plots. Each plot was planted with Fraxinus chinensis and Salix matsudana × alba, which was added to plant composts, woody chips and effective microorganisms (EM) agents, using an orthogonal experimental design. The results showed that the order of bioaugmentation materials on the Cu phytoextraction of two woody species was plant composts > wood chips > EM agents. The best performance of F. chinensis was in the T15 treatment (30% plant composts + 7.5% wood chips + 40 mL·m−2), with phytoextraction of 33.66 mg·m−2, as well as 4.32 mg·m−2 in the T16 treatment (30% plant composts + 15% wood chips) of S. matsudana × alba. Cu was accumulated mainly in the roots of the two woody plants. The phytoextraction of the above-ground parts was promoted by bioaugmentation, due to the improvement in the physical soil characteristics and Cu bioavailability. The phytoextraction performance of F. chinensis was promoted by the improvement in the Cu concentration after treatments, while for S. matsudana × alba, it was the dry biomass. Thus, targeted strengthening measures should be to applied, to improve the efficiency of phytoremediation.
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Urban Sustainability at Risk Due to Soil Pollution by Heavy Metals—Case Study: Volos, Greece. LAND 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/land11071016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The focus of this case study is the meticulous observation of urban soil pollution by heavy metals (HMs), or, alternatively, potentially toxic elements (PTEs). The study took place in the urban center of Volos, Greece. Moreover, 248 soil samples were collected during 2018–2021 (62 samples annually), while 3.65 km2 was, approximately, the study area. The breakdown of total concentrations took place for the interpretation of different soil parameters, also according to mean values and medians of the total concentrations of HMs, the following decreasing order was monitored: Mn > Zn > Cr > Ni > Cu > Pb > Co > Cd. During the 4-year study, an increasing trend of metal concentration was observed (for each year compared to the previous one). Furthermore, the imaginary triangle, which was observed, is bordered by the historic train station, the two city bus and intercity coach stations and the commercial harbor. Statistical analysis was implemented in order to interpret the exceedances of HMs concerning the Directive 86/278/EEC. Principal component analysis (PCA) is an additional technique that was conducted because of the correlations and interdependences between the HMs. A strong correlation was observed between the HMs, but mainly between Cd and Zn, which is probably due to their common origin. During the COVID-19 pandemic, significant changes in metal concentrations were observed in different parts of the city, due to the limited movement of motorized wheeled vehicles, but also due to the long operating hours of the heating systems in the residential area. Further research is needed in the future in order to identify the sources of pollution and to find possible ways to reduce it. All in all, urban soil pollution by HMs is a great conundrum of the environmental aspect of sustainability.
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Radziemska M, Gusiatin ZM, Kumar V, Brtnicky M. Co-application of nanosized halloysite and biochar as soil amendments in aided phytostabilization of metal(-oid)s-contaminated soil under different temperature conditions. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 288:132452. [PMID: 34619257 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The threat posed by the degradation of the soil environment by metal (-oid)s has been lead to the improvement of existing or search for new remediation methods; in this case, the application of environmentally friendly nanomaterials falls into this trend. The study applied a technique of aided phytostabilization for the immobilization of metal (-oid)s in soil with the application of nanosized halloysite and biochar (nBH), along with Lolium perenne L. Its effectiveness was assessed in terms of changing temperature conditions (16 cycles of freeze and thaw cycles, (FTC)) on the content of As, Cu, Pb and Zn in the soil, roots, and above-ground parts of the tested plant, chemical fraction distributions of metal (-oid)s and their stability (based on reduced partition index, Ir). The biomass yield in nBH-amended soil was 2-fold higher compared to control soil, but it decreased by 1.6-fold after FTC. nBH facilitated more bioaccumulation of As, Pb and Zn than Cu in plant roots, before than after FTC. nBH increased pH in phytostabilized soil, but it was not affected by changing FTC. In soil nBH-phytostabilized total concentration of metal (-oid)s significantly decreased compared to control soil, for As and Cu below permissible value, regardless of FTC. Soil amendment and changing temperature conditions affected metal (-oid)s redistribution in soil. As a result, the stability of As increased from 0.50 to 0.66, Cu from 0.49 to 0.52, Pb from 0.36 to 0.48 and Zn from 0.39 to 0.47. These findings suggest that nBH can immobilize metal (-oid)s in phytostabilized soil under changing temperature conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Radziemska
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 159, Warsaw, 02-776, Poland.
| | - Zygmunt M Gusiatin
- Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Słoneczna St. 45G, Olsztyn, 10-719, Poland
| | - Vinod Kumar
- Department of Botany, Government Degree College, Ramban, Jammu, 182144, India
| | - Martin Brtnicky
- Institute of Chemistry and Technology of Environmental Protection, Faculty of Chemistry, Brno University of Technology, Purkyňova 118, Brno, 612 00, Czech Republic; Department of Agrochemistry, Soil Science, Microbiology and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Zemědělská 1, Brno, 613 00, Czech Republic
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Luo Y, Zheng Z, Wu P, Wu Y. Effect of different direct revegetation strategies on the mobility of heavy metals in artificial zinc smelting waste slag: Implications for phytoremediation. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 286:131678. [PMID: 34346324 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The establishment of vegetation cover is an important strategy to reduce wind and water erosion at metal smelting waste slag sites. However, the mobility of heavy metals in waste slag-vegetation-leachate systems after the application of revegetation strategies is still unclear. Large microcosm experiments were conducted for revegetation of waste slag for 98 d using combined amendments, i.e., phosphate rock and an organic waste coming from the anaerobic digestion of pig manure (named as biogas residue), and by single- and co-planted perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and Trifolium repens (T. repens). The results showed that the application of biogas residue slightly increased the concentrations of Zn and Cd in the leachates; however, the establishment of plants could avoid the excessive leaching of heavy metals coming from the biogas residue. The bioavailability of Cu, Zn, and Cd slightly increased, but Pb bioavailability significantly decreased regardless of single- or co-planting patterns. Additionally, the bioavailability of Cu, Zn, and Cd in the waste slag revegetated with perennial ryegrass was lower than that in T. repens under the single-planting pattern. The change in the heavy metals bioavailability under different revegetation strategies was mainly due to the root-induced change in the pH and speciation of heavy metals in the waste slag. The application of biogas residue and phosphate rock tends to the immobilization of Pb. Heavy metals mainly accumulated in the underground parts of the two herbs, and the heavy metal contents in the underground parts of perennial ryegrass were higher than those in T. repens regardless of single- or co-planting patterns. The heavy metals accumulated in T. repens were lower than those in perennial ryegrass in the single-planting pattern. The bioaccumulation and transportation factors of the two herbs were extremely low. Thus, the two herbs are potential candidates for phytostabilization of zinc smelting waste slag sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youfa Luo
- Key Laboratory of Kast Georesources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China; Key Laboratory of Karst Environment and Geohazard Prevention, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China; Guizhou Karst Environmental Ecosystems Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Zhilin Zheng
- College of Resource and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Pan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Kast Georesources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China; Key Laboratory of Karst Environment and Geohazard Prevention, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China; College of Resource and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China; Guizhou Karst Environmental Ecosystems Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Yonggui Wu
- College of Resource and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China; Guizhou Karst Environmental Ecosystems Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China.
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