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Medina-Díaz HL, López-Bellido FJ, Alonso-Azcárate J, Fernández-Morales FJ, Rodríguez L. A new hyperaccumulator plant (Spergularia rubra) for the decontamination of mine tailings through electrokinetic-assisted phytoextraction. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169543. [PMID: 38145688 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
The screening of new effective metal hyperaccumulators is essential for the development of profitable phytoremediation projects in highly degraded environments such as mining areas. The goal of this research was to analyze the phytoextraction potential of the native plant Spergularia rubra to decontaminate and eventually recover metals (phytomining) from the mine tailings (belonging to an abandoned Pb/Zn Spanish mine) in which it grows spontaneously. To do so, the ability of this plant species to accumulate metals was evaluated both under natural conditions and through simple and electrokinetically assisted phytoextraction tests using alternating current and different combinations of voltage gradient (1/2 V cm-1) and application time (6/12 h per day). The complete duration of the greenhouse trial was 64 days, although alternating current was applied only during the last 14 days. The results obtained demonstrated the exceptional effectiveness of S. rubra for metal hyperaccumulation and growth without affecting toxicity in highly contaminated mining waste. Zn was the metal accumulated to a higher extent in the shoots, reaching concentrations up to 17,800 mg kg-1; Pb was mainly accumulated in the roots reaching a maximum concentration of 8709 mg kg-1. Cu and Cd were accumulated to a lesser extent but the bioconcentration factors were much >1. It has been proved that S. rubra is a hyperaccumulator species for Zn and Cd both in natural and greenhouse conditions and, very probably, Pb in wild conditions. The application of AC current did not significantly increase metal concentrations in plant tissues but it was able to increase the aerial biomass of S. rubra by 49.8 %. As a result, the phytoextraction yields of all metals were significantly improved as compared to wild conditions (up to 86 % for Zn). It could open new expectations about the economic viability of recovering high-value metals from mine tailings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassay Lizeth Medina-Díaz
- Institute of Environmental and Chemical Technology (ITQUIMA), University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avenida Camilo José Cela, s/n, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Francisco Javier López-Bellido
- School of Agricultural Engineering, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Ronda de Calatrava, s./n, 13003 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Jacinto Alonso-Azcárate
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Biochemistry, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avenida Carlos III, s/n, 45071 Toledo, Spain
| | - Francisco Jesús Fernández-Morales
- Institute of Environmental and Chemical Technology (ITQUIMA), University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avenida Camilo José Cela, s/n, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Luis Rodríguez
- Institute of Environmental and Chemical Technology (ITQUIMA), University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avenida Camilo José Cela, s/n, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain.
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Rosas-Moreno J, Walker C, Duffy K, Krüger C, Krüger M, Robinson CH, Pittman JK. Isolation and identification of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi from an abandoned uranium mine and their role in soil-to-plant transfer of radionuclides and metals. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 876:162781. [PMID: 36906011 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi were recovered from soil samples from the naturally radioactive soil at the long-abandoned South Terras uranium mine in Cornwall, UK. Species of Rhizophagus, Claroideoglomus, Paraglomus, Septoglomus, and Ambispora were recovered, and pot cultures from all except Ambispora were established. Cultures were identified to species level using morphological observation and rRNA gene sequencing combined with phylogenetic analysis. These cultures were used in pot experiments designed with a compartmentalised system to assess the contribution of fungal hyphae to the accumulation of essential elements, such as copper and zinc, and non-essential elements, such as lead, arsenic, thorium, and uranium into root and shoot tissues of Plantago lanceolata. The results indicated that none of the treatments had any positive or negative impact on shoot and root biomass. However, Rhizophagus irregularis treatments showed higher accumulation of copper and zinc in shoots, while R. irregularis and Septoglomus constrictum enhanced arsenic accumulation in roots. Moreover, R. irregularis increased uranium concentration in roots and shoots of the P. lanceolata plant. This study provides useful insight into fungal-plant interactions that determine metal and radionuclide transfer from soil into the biosphere at contaminated sites such as mine workings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanette Rosas-Moreno
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Christopher Walker
- School of Agriculture and Environment, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 21A Inverleith Row, Edinburgh EH3 5LR, UK
| | - Katie Duffy
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Claudia Krüger
- Plant Reproduction Laboratory, Institute of Experimental Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences, Rozvojová 263, 16502 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Manuela Krüger
- Plant Reproduction Laboratory, Institute of Experimental Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences, Rozvojová 263, 16502 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Clare H Robinson
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Jon K Pittman
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
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Suárez-Navarro JA, Gil-Pacheco E, Expósito-Suárez VM, Gómez-Mancebo MB, Vicente-Prieto N, García-Gómez H, Suárez-Navarro MJ, Sánchez-González SM, Caro A, Hernáiz G, Barragán M, Cid-Morillo C. Influence of soil chemical composition on U, 226Ra and 210Pb uptake in leaves and fruits of Quercus ilex L. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2023; 264:107187. [PMID: 37186982 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2023.107187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
To determine their transfer factors, activity concentrations of natural radionuclides were measured in the leaves and acorns of holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) trees collected from seven locations with different soil properties and radionuclide activity concentrations. The chemical and mineralogical compositions of the soils were also analysed to investigate the effect these had on radionuclide absorption by the trees. Soil chemistry showed significant effects on radionuclide incorporation into Quercus ilex L. tissues. A significant relationship was established between activity concentrations and soil content of Ca and P with 238U and 226Ra in the leaves and acorns of Quercus ilex L. Differentiated transfer was found for 40K, which showed greater transfer to the leaves than the other radionuclides. The activity concentration of U and 226Ra was higher in the fruits than in the leaves, with the opposite effect being observed for 40K. The risk of U and 226Ra transfer into the food chain through acorn consumption by livestock is predicted to increase in soils poor in Ca and rich in P.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Suárez-Navarro
- Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Avd/Complutense, 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - E Gil-Pacheco
- Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Salamanca (IRNASA-CSIC), CSIC, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, C/Cordel de Merinas, 40, 37008, Salamanca, Spain
| | - V M Expósito-Suárez
- Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Avd/Complutense, 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - M B Gómez-Mancebo
- Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Avd/Complutense, 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - H García-Gómez
- Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Avd/Complutense, 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - M J Suárez-Navarro
- Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), Departamento de Hidráulica, Energía y Medioambiente, E.T.S.I. Caminos, Canales y Puertos, Profesor Aranguren s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - S M Sánchez-González
- Universidad Europea Miguel de Cervantes, C/Padre Julio Chevalier, 2, 47012, Valladolid, Spain
| | - A Caro
- Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Avd/Complutense, 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - G Hernáiz
- Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Avd/Complutense, 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Barragán
- Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Avd/Complutense, 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - C Cid-Morillo
- Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Avd/Complutense, 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain
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Chen L, Liu J, Zhang W, Zhou J, Luo D, Li Z. Uranium (U) source, speciation, uptake, toxicity and bioremediation strategies in soil-plant system: A review. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 413:125319. [PMID: 33582470 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Uranium(U), a highly toxic radionuclide, is becoming a great threat to soil health development, as returning nuclear waste containing U into the soil systems is increased. Numerous studies have focused on: i) tracing the source in U contaminated soils; ii) exploring U geochemistry; and iii) assessing U phyto-uptake and its toxicity to plants. Yet, there are few literature reviews that systematically summarized the U in soil-plant system in past decade. Thus, we present its source, geochemical behavior, uptake, toxicity, detoxification, and bioremediation strategies based on available data, especially published from 2018 to 2021. In this review, we examine processes that can lead to the soil U contamination, indicating that mining activities are currently the main sources. We discuss the relationship between U bioavailability in the soil-plant system and soil conditions including redox potential, soil pH, organic matter, and microorganisms. We then review the soil-plant transfer of U, finding that U mainly accumulates in roots with a quite limited translocation. However, plants such as willow, water lily, and sesban are reported to translocate high U levels from roots to aerial parts. Indeed, U does not possess any identified biological role, but provokes numerous deleterious effects such as reducing seed germination, inhibiting plant growth, depressing photosynthesis, interfering with nutrient uptake, as well as oxidative damage and genotoxicity. Yet, plants tolerate U toxicity via various defense strategies including antioxidant enzymes, compartmentalization, and phytochelatin. Moreover, we review two biological remediation strategies for U-contaminated soil: (i) phytoremediation and (ii) microbial remediation. They are quite low-cost and eco-friendly compared with traditional physical or chemical remediation technologies. Finally, we conclude some promising research challenges regarding U biogeochemical behavior in soil-plant systems. This review, thus, further indicates that the combined application of U low accumulators and microbial inoculants may be an effective strategy for the bioremediation of U-contaminated soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems; Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Engineering Research Center of Grassland Industry, Ministry of Education, Gansu Tech Innovation Center of Western China Grassland Industry; College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu, PR China
| | - Jinrong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems; Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Engineering Research Center of Grassland Industry, Ministry of Education, Gansu Tech Innovation Center of Western China Grassland Industry; College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu, PR China.
| | - Weixiong Zhang
- Third Institute Geological and Mineral Exploration of Gansu Provincial Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, Lanzhou 730030, Gansu, PR China
| | - Jiqiang Zhou
- Gansu Nonferrous Engineering Exploration & Design Research Institute, Lanzhou 730030, Gansu, PR China
| | - Danqi Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems; Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Engineering Research Center of Grassland Industry, Ministry of Education, Gansu Tech Innovation Center of Western China Grassland Industry; College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu, PR China
| | - Zimin Li
- Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Earth and Life Institute, Soil Science, Louvain-La-Neuve 1348, Belgium.
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