Fate of mercury in a terrestial biological lab process using Polypogon monspeliensis and Cyperus odoratus

Endophytes and Halophytes to Remediate Industrial Wastewater and Saline Soils: Perspectives from Qatar

Many halophytes are considered to be salt hyperaccumulators, adopting ion extrusion and inclusion mechanisms. Such plants, with high aboveground biomass, may play crucial roles in saline habitats, including soil desalination and phytoremediation of polluted soils and waters. These plants cause significant changes in some of the soil’s physical and chemical properties; and have proven efficient in removing heavy metals and metabolizing organic compounds from oil and gas activities. Halophytes in Qatar, such as Halopeplis perfoliata, Salicornia europaea, Salsola soda, and Tetraena qatarensis, are shown here to play significant roles in the phytoremediation of polluted soils and waters. Microorganisms associated with these halophytes (such as endophytic bacteria) might boost these plants to remediate saline and polluted soils. A significant number of these bacteria, such as Bacillus spp. and Pseudomonas spp., are reported here to play important roles in many sectors of life. We explore the mechanisms adopted by the endophytic bacteria to promote and support these halophytes in the desalination of saline soils and phytoremediation of polluted soils. The possible roles played by endophytes in different parts of native plants are given to elucidate the mechanisms of cooperation between these native plants and the associated microorganisms.

Perspectives of future water sources in Qatar by phytoremediation: biodiversity at ponds and modern approach

Anthropogenic and industrial wastewater (IWW) could be an additional future source of water to support the needs of the people of the State of Qatar. New lagoons have been built using modern technologies to optimize water use and waste recycling, as well as increasing the green spaces around the country. To achieve successful development of these new lagoons, lessons should be learned from the old ponds by examining their biodiversity, ecology, and the roles played by aquatic plants and algae to remediate wastewaters at these ponds. The perspectives of using IWW (from oil and gas activities), that is currently pumped deep into the ground are presented. Instead of causing great damage to groundwater, IWW can be stored in artificial ponds prepared for ridding it of all impurities and pollutants of various types, organic and inorganic, thereby making it serviceable for various human uses. Phycoremediation, bioremediation, and phytoremediation methods adopted by algae, bacteria and aquatic native plants are discussed, and special attention should be paid to those that proved successful in removing heavy metals and degrading organic compounds. At least three native plants namely: Amaranthus viridis, Phragmites australis, and Typha domingensis should be paid special attention, since these plants are efficient in remediation of arsenic and mercury; elements found abundantly in wastewater of gas activities. Some promising modern and innovative experiences and biotechnologies to develop efficient transgenic plants and microorganisms in removing and degrading pollutants are discussed, as an important strategy to keep the ecosystem clean and safe. Novelty statementIndustrial wastewater (IWW) could be an alternative source of water at the Arabian Gulf region. Currently, IWW is pumped deep into the ground causing a great damage to groundwater; little information about this issue has been reported. Such IWW can be stored in artificial ponds designed for ridding them of all impurities of various types; various remediation methods can be used. Modern biotechnology to develop transgenic plants and microorganisms to enhance these remediation methods can be adopted.