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Papadimou SG, Golia EE. Green and sustainable practices for an energy plant cultivation on naturally contaminated versus spiked soils. The impact of ageing soil pollution in the circular economy framework. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 246:118130. [PMID: 38191042 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118130] [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: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Silybum marianum L. Gaertn. or milk thistle is an energy-produced weed that has been shown to be tolerant of heavy metal-contaminated soils. In the present study, its cultivation was studied in soils laboratory-spiked (artificial) with Cu and Zn solutions. Meanwhile, plant growing on naturally contaminated soils of Mediterranean regions, both urban and rural, was investigated. The metal concentrations spiked in artificial polluted soils were estimated to be roughly equivalent to those in naturally contaminated soils. Plants grown in artificially contaminated soils incorporated the metal added to the soils more rapidly and in higher proportions. The contamination of soil samples was carried out using different chemical reagents, salts containing the metals with oxidation number II, highlighting the fact that the reagent containing the metal is crucial regarding artificial soil pollution. Statistically significant differences were observed between the individual pollution patterns, as far as plant metals uptake concern. It was also found that the aged, contaminated soils transfer lower levels of metals to the plants. Therefore, aging or weathering of contamination alters toxicity levels in the soil environment by determining transport and uptake into the soil-to-plant system. Eventually, from the present research, it emerged the fact that in urban soils that have aged perennial pollution, the uptake of metals by plants is probably lower than in rural ones. Furthermore, with proper management, it is possible to grow plants, with low nutrient requirements, in urban soils by adopting smart, green and eco-friendly techniques, enhancing sustainable cultivation in the framework of circular economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sotiria G Papadimou
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Laboratory of Soil Science, School of Agriculture, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece; University of Thessaly, Department of Agriculture, Rural Environment and Crop Production, Fytokou Street, Volos, 384 46, Magnesia, Greece.
| | - Evangelia E Golia
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Laboratory of Soil Science, School of Agriculture, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
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Zhang R, Wang Z, Huang H, Song J, Wu B, Wang M, Xu H. Assessment about bioindicator capacity of acrocarpous moss Campylopus schmidii exposed to abandoned pyritic tailings. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 317:115471. [PMID: 35751270 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115471] [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: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Terrestrial mosses are promising species to study concerning metal deposition, absorption, and soil fertility as moss biocrusts. However, acrocarpous moss, as a kind of terrestrial mosses, has not yet been well understood, both in environmental monitoring and ecological application, especially exposed to an abandoned pyrite mining. Herein, we investigated the concentrations of different heavy metals in soil underlying acrocarpous moss Campylopus schmidii at three distances from an abandoned pyrite mine tailings (0.5, 1, 2 km) by sampling analysis, as well as the accumulation properties of heavy metals in different parts of mosses and soil nutrients under intact mosses and moss-free layers. The results indicated that the soil we researched was heavily polluted by Cr, Cu, and Cd, which was 4.46, 4.18, and 1.77 times higher than the standard of risk screening values for soil environment quality in China. And there was a marked difference in the concentrations and distribution of heavy metals in mosses, with higher concentrations of Cr, Cu, Ni and Pb mainly in the ageing parts. In addition, mosses can effectively promote soil fertility. Compared with the bare soil without the moss layer, the total organic matter and total potassium concentrations of the soil covered by the intact moss layer were significantly increased, by 113.91% and 186.08% respectively. Correlation analysis indicated that similar pollution sources for Zn, Cd, Cu, and Pb, and the concentrations of these heavy metals in soil connected with the distance from the source of pollution. Overall, we expected that these findings could assess the greater potential of single native dominant moss species C.schmidii to act as biomonitors in specific pyrite mine tailings characterized by barren soil with strong acids (pH < 4.0) and polymetallic pollution. Meanwhile, our results revealed may serve as a possibility reference for similar areas and is recommended for developing a vegetative cover utilizing local acrocarpous mosses to achieve greening of degraded tailings in the future, as well as environmental management and protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, Sichuan, PR China.
| | - Ziru Wang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Huayan Huang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Jianjincang Song
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Bohan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Maolin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Heng Xu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, Sichuan, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environment Protection, Soil Ecological Protection and Pollution Control, Sichuan University & Department of Ecology and Environment of Sichuan, Chengdu, 610065, Sichuan, PR China.
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Chemetova C, Ribeiro H, Fabião A, Gominho J. Towards sustainable valorisation of Acacia melanoxylon biomass: Characterization of mature and juvenile plant tissues. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 191:110090. [PMID: 32835679 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In Mediterranean area, Acacia melanoxylon biomass is an abundant waste material from non-native and invasive tree species control actions, requiring suitable disposal. Valorisation of such biomass residues requires its complete characterization to best approach the full potential of each plant material that could suit specific applications. This study compares mature and juvenile A. melanoxylon plant tissues (wood and bark) from two stands in different locations, regarding their chemical characteristics and organic growing media properties, such as mineral content and phytotoxicity effect for Lepidium sativum seeds. Juvenile bark (JB) showed greater total extractives (29%) extracted using solvents of increasing polarity (dichloromethane, ethanol, and water), followed by mature bark (MB) (21%). MB revealed the highest lignin content (>50%) suggesting material resistance to microbial biodegradation in horticultural applications. High barks phenolic content proved to be phytotoxic for cress seeds (null JB root index), although the toxic substances may be removed. After 1 week, ageing effect reduced MB phytototoxicity (root index > 60%) improving seed performance. Bark presented more mineral elements availability than wood. Wood high cellulose (>50%), low extractive (<9%) and moderate total lignin (<30%) contents can be attractive for pulp production, while bark growth medium profile may potentiate its application for horticultural uses. The future research on novel uses of A. melanoxylon plant residues can result in economic benefits that may alleviate management costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Chemetova
- Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017, Lisboa, Portugal; Forest Research Centre, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - H Ribeiro
- Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - A Fabião
- Forest Research Centre, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - J Gominho
- Forest Research Centre, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017, Lisboa, Portugal
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