Uptake and Bioaccumulation of Pentachlorophenol by Emergent Wetland Plant Phragmites australis (Common Reed) in Cadmium Co-contaminated Soil

Abstract

Despite many studies on phytoremediation of soils contaminated with either heavy metals or organics, little information is available on the effectiveness of phytoremediation of co-occurring metal and organic pollutants especially by using wetland species. Phragmites australis is a common wetland plant and its potential for phytoremediation of cadmium pentachlorophenol (Cd-PCP) co-contaminated soil was investigated. A greenhouse study was executed to elucidate the effects of Cd (0, 10, and 20 mg kg⁻¹) without or with PCP (0, 50, and 250 mg kg⁻¹) on the growth of the wetland plant P. australis and its uptake, accumulation and removal of pollutant from soils. After 75 days, plant biomass was significantly influenced by interaction of Cd and PCP and the effect of Cd on plant growth being stronger than that of PCP. Coexistence of PCP at low level lessened Cd toxicity to plants, resulting in improved plant growth and increased Cd accumulation in plant tissues. The dissipation of PCP in soils was significantly influenced by interactions of Cd, PCP and plant presence or absence. As an evaluation of soil biological activities after remediation soil enzyme was measured.

Keywords:

• soil
• phytoremediation
• Phragmites australis
• mixed contaminants
• organic contaminant
• metal

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge all staff of Sol Direction in Tunis, Biotechnology Centre Technopole de Borj Cedria for technical support. We also would like to express gratitude to Professor Andrew Hursthouse and all staff of School of Science, University of the West of Scotland for f their great assistance in pollutant (PCP) extraction and quantification.