Phytoremediation of Polycyclic Hydrocarbon Contaminated Soil: Part II. Impact on Ecotoxicity

Abstract

Several biological assays were used to evaluate the toxic effects of contaminants in soil after phytoremediation. During the treatment process, significant decreases in overall toxicity were observed. Specifically, earthworm survivability and lettuce germination increased over the study period. Microbial respiration improved, but only in planted treatments. Toxicity and total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations showed some correlation, but the relationships generally were not significant. Soil moisture was less of a predictor for biological responses. The presence of plants did not provide a clear advantage for improving toxicity compared to unplanted treatments.

KEY WORDS:

• phytoremediation
• plants
• microorganisms
• earthworms
• polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
• toxicity
• soil
• contamination

Notes

^†Mean values in a given column followed by the same letter indicate values that are not significantly (P < 0.05).

*p < 0.10;

**p < 0.05;

***p < 0.01.