Few studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of phytoremediation of pharmaceutical compounds, although the persistent and non-acutely toxic nature of many of these compounds in today's water bodies may yield an ideal application for this practice. To quantify the potential effectiveness of plant uptake, kinetic and proportional bioconcentration factors (BCFk, and BCFp, respectively) in nanograms (ng) carbamazepine and amiodarone per gram (g) wet weight plant tissue for Lemna spp. were determined utilizing a 14-day continuous flow-through study. Samples were analyzed using isotope dilution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (ID-LC-MS/MS) running in positive ion mode. Kinetic BCF was estimated at 0.538, while proportional BCF was estimated at 0.485. Kinetic BCF for the amiodarone study was estimated at 23.033, whereas proportional BCF was estimated at 41.340. Possible contamination of the C18 column and peristaltic pump failure may have impacted uptake results. In light of variability and current lack of research in the field, this work should be considered exploratory rather than conclusive.

The worldwide occurrence of sites contaminated with toxic metals and the associated high costs of remediating them using chemical and mechanical methods have led to calls to develop inexpensive and sustainable approaches based on the use of plants that naturally accumulate large amounts of metals in their tissues. The ability of plants to remediate metals has been rigorously studied and some species have been identified as excellent phytoremediators. However, the growth of phytoremediators is often retarded under high soil metal concentrations, rendering them ineffective. Meanwhile, some plants do not have remediating abilities but are capable of growing in contaminated environments with little or no sign of stress. Despite the volume of research dedicated to the screening and evaluation of phytoremediators, major questions remain about why some plants survive but do not remediate while the growth of phytoremediators is mostly hindered. The growth and metal-remediating efficiency of plants exposed to toxic concentrations of metals can be enhanced by inoculating phytoremediating plants with certain bacteria but the mechanisms behind this process remain unclear. Furthermore, the use of leguminous plants to improve the growth of a target plant under a mixed planting system has long been recognised as an effective yield-enhancing cropping system. However, the possibility of a non-remediating but tolerant leguminous plant conferring metal tolerance to a phytoremediator has not been explored. This thesis reports results from repeated glasshouse and lab-based growth experiments on the phytoremediating plant Brassica juncea exposed to 400 – 600 mg Zn kg-1. The aim was to investigate the abilities of two plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) species Pseudomonas brassicacearum and Rhizobium leguminosarum, and a leguminous plant Vicia sativa to promote B. juncea growth and enhance remediation of Zn-contaminated soil. B. juncea plant roots were analysed using synchrotron based micro-focus X-ray Fluorescence (μXRF) imaging and X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (μXANES) analysis to probe Zn speciation. P. brassicacearum exhibited the poorest plant growth promoting ability, while R. leguminosarum alone and in combination with P. brassicacearum significantly enhanced B. juncea growth and Zn bioaccumulation. X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) analysis showed that reduced plant growth was due to root accumulation of Zn as Zn sulphate, Zn oxalate and Zn polygalacturonic acids. The better growth and increased metal accumulation observed in plants inoculated with R. leguminosarum and its combination with P. brassicacearum was attributed to root storage of Zn in the chelated forms of Zn phytate and Zn cysteine. A subcellular analysis of plant root also showed that the PGPB enhanced tolerance to Zn contamination by enhancing epidermal Zn compartmentalisation depending on the nature of root colonization, and induced changes in Zn speciation to less toxic Zn species in the epidermis and endodermis of plant root. The thesis therefore identifies enhanced Zn compartmentalization at the root epidermis and bacterial mediated changes in Zn toxicity through changes in Zn speciation as key complimentary mechanisms of plant growth promotion and enhanced Zn accumulation in plants by PGPB. Further experiments investigating alternative phytoremediation strategies showed that the use of the leguminous plant V. sativa in a mixed planting system with B. juncea plants completely out performed the effects of bacteria in promoting the growth and remediation potential of B. juncea under Zn contamination. By combining PGPB with mixed planting, B. juncea recovered full growth while also achieving maximum phytoremediation efficiency. The novel legume assistedmicrobial phytoremediation method that is reported in this thesis is the first to demonstrate complete plant growth recovery in plants exposed to 400 – 450 mg kg-1 soil Zn contamination for 5 weeks. Survival of V. sativa was attributed to its root storage of Zn in the chelated forms of Zn histidine and cysteine whereas in the roots of stunted B. juncea plants the majority of Zn was present as Zn oxalate and toxic Zn sulphate. Although the use of natural and synthetic chelates has been reported to enhance phytoremediation, this thesis recommends a legume-assisted-microbialphytoremediation system as a more sustainable method for Zn bioremediation.

Heavy metal soil pollution from anthropogenic sources such as historical use of fertilizers, poor waste disposal, and spills from industries are a serious environmental problem. This can be especially damaging in developing countries where incentives are limited to remediate these soils, and some of the poorest regions are the most affected. Soil remediation can clean heavy metal polluted soil to a level that is sustainable for the environment and the organisms that inhabit it. Many conventional soil remediation techniques can be very expensive, and resource and energy intensive, making them poor choices for developing countries. However, phytoremediation, an emerging soil remediation technology, is much cheaper and less intensive by using the natural ability of certain plants to clean polluted soils. Although phytoremediation has been considered the best available technology for developing countries with heavy metal polluted soil, it is still being underutilized. In this thesis, through the examination of case studies from the U.S., several barriers are identified that are preventing further implementation of phytoremediation projects in developing countries. These barriers include, the difficulties for developing countries in recognising the scale of heavy metal pollution, a lack of enforcement of environmental legislation and standards, prohibitive costs of projects, problems with the effectiveness of phytoremediation as a soil remediation technology, and a lack of technological knowledge. / <p>2018-10-30</p>

Water pollution is one of society’s most crucial issues which has a negative impact on water quality. The cleaning of blasted rock materials is a process which produces wastewater containing nitrogen and other pollutants such as heavy metals due to explosives residue from blasting. The release of this wastewater to a recipient could have a negative impact on water quality. In order to counteract contamination of recipients, wetlands can be used. However, there is little knowledge and research of their efficiency in removing such contaminants from wastewater of blasting operations. Therefore, the aim of this report is to study plant’s remediation of pollutants, which is one of the processes involved in wetland treatment systems. This is examined through studying the effectiveness of different wetland-plant combinations’ ability to remove nitrogen and heavy metals in the wastewater. Another aim is to examine the silicon concentrations in the wastewater since silicon can be found from blasted rocks. This is of interest since elevated levels of silicon can act as a beneficial nutrient for crops and could then increase the value of the wastewater. The removal of the aforementioned substances has been studied after one, four and 24 hours through water analysis. Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea), slender tufted sedge (Carex acuta) and yellow iris (Iris pseudacorus) were paired together in three different combinations for the study; A, B and C. The result from the water analysis was that the wastewater contained in average 64 mg N L-1, which is considered to be extremely high. For the nitrogen remediation the plant combinations containing I. pseudacorus removed the most nitrogen, 12 %, after 24 hours. Although, the nitrogen reduction was significantly lower compared to other studies. The heavy metal content was more than ten times lower in comparison to the upper limit values and was not reduced significantly by different systems. Regarding the silicon content, it was the same as found naturally in soil and water. The plants did not absorb any silicon, which indicates that the silicon was in a particular chemical form which is hard for plants to absorb. Sedimentation is mentioned as a major remediation process in wetlands, however in this study when plants were not present the result illustrated that the sedimentation probably did not function optimally. This could then demonstrate the importance of plants for other remediation processes. The conclusion of this study is that plants’ reduction of nitrogen in wastewater constitutes of a small part and could affect the function of sedimentation. In addition, according to this study yellow iris could be added to plant combinations to increase the treatment potential of wastewater produced from the cleaning process of blasted rock material, though further studies are recommended.

Excessive metal deposition in soil is of major concern to the environment due to the toxicity of metals to animals and plants. Since metals do not degrade, reducing risk of exposure relies in either removing the metals from soil, or changing their speciation which leads to changes in bioavailability, mobility and toxicity. Plants have been shown to provide a cheap alternative to chemical methods for both removing and changing metal speciation, particularly when augmented with plant growth promoting bacteria. The focus of this thesis was to investigate whether the form (speciation) in which a metal contaminant is introduced to soil affects both plant health and the efficiency of metal remediation by the plant, using the well-known hyperaccumulator Brassica juncea (L.) Czern and zinc (Zn) as the metal contaminant. This study also examined the role of plant growth promoting bacteria in changing metal speciation, impact on metal toxicity and phytoremediation efficiency. Brassica juncea was grown in pots containing soil spiked with equal amounts (600 mg Zn kg-1) of soluble Zn (ZnSO4) and nanoparticulate ZnS and ZnO. Plant height, number of leaves, root length, plant biomass and chlorophyll content of Brassica juncea were used to assess Zn toxicity. Zn localisation and speciation in soil and plant tissues was studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), synchrotron micro-X-ray fluorescence elemental mapping (μXRF) and synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). Growth parameters showed that ZnSO4 was the most toxic form of Zn whilst ZnS and ZnO effects were not statistically different. These differences were linked to differences in Zn content in root and shoot biomass, which was higher in ZnSO4 treatments. Inoculation with Rhizobium leguminosarum and Pseudomonas brassicacearum enhanced plant growth, Zn concentration in plant biomass and translocation of Zn in all Zn treatments. XAS analysis showed that Zn speciation was altered in roots of plants inoculated with bacteria, with Zn cysteine as the most dominant form of Zn in all inoculated Zn treatments, suggesting a role for cysteine in ameliorating Zn toxicity. By also assessing Zn speciation changes across the soilrhizosphere- plant interface, this study established that Rhizobium leguminosarum modified Zn speciation at the rhizosphere. Through this thesis work, metal speciation is a major factor in determining the efficiency of metal phytoremediation and plant tolerance. Hence, this research provides useful information on Zn speciation which will contribute to effective implementation of Zn phytoremediation.

La phytoremediation consiste à utiliser les plantes pour nettoyer des sols contaminés. Jusqu’ici, des plantes naturellement capables de tolérer et d’accumuler les polluants ont été utilisées pour cette approche. Cependant, l’utilisation de plantes transgéniques doit être considérée pour optimiser l’efficacité de la phytoremédiation. Le peuplier est une espèce adaptée pour la phytoremédiation et peut être utilisé pour des approches transgéniques. Néanmoins, son efficacité de phytoextraction est limitée par une forte accumulation de métaux dans les feuilles qui retournent au sol lors de leur chute. L’ingénierie génétique pourrait être utilisée pour résoudre ce problème, en modifiant l’expression de transporteurs de métaux soit pour limiter l’accumulation de métaux dans les feuilles, soit pour stimuler leur accumulation dans le bois.Dans le cadre de cette thèse, trois transporteurs potentiellement impliqués dans la tolérance et l’accumulation de métaux ont été caractérisés : PtIREG1, PtNRAMP3.1 et PtNRAMP3.2. L’expression de PtIREG1 chez la levure et chez Arabidopsis thaliana a montré que ce transporteur contribue à la tolérance au nickel. Des peupliers transgéniques chez lesquels l’expression de PtIREG1 est globalement augmentée ou ciblée dans le bois ont été générés. Des peupliers transgéniques chez lesquels l’expression de PtNRAMP3.1 ou PtNRAMP3.2 est modifiée ont également été générés au cours de cette thèse. Cela a permis de montrer que ces protéines fortement homologues ont des localisations subcellulaires distinctes : la membrane vacuolaire pour PtNRAMP3.2 et un compartiment connecté à l’appareil de Golgi pour PtNRAMP3.1. Des mesures de concentrations en métaux dans les feuilles des peupliers transgéniques ptNRAMP3.1 et PtNRAMP3.2 ont montré des différences avec le type sauvage non transformé, pour le cuivre, le manganèse, le cadmium et le zinc. Les résultats obtenus contribueront à l’élaboration de stratégies biotechnologiques pour réhabiliter les sols pollués / Phytoremediation is the use of plants to clean up polluted soils. Previous approaches have mostly used native plants able to tolerate, degrade and accumulate environmental pollutants such as toxic metals, but transgenic plants may also be considered for phytoremediation in the future. Poplar is well adapted for phytoremediation and suitable for molecular genetic studies. However, high metal accumulation in poplar leaves limits phytoextraction due to toxic metal return to the soil after leaf abscission. In order to circumvent this problem, genetic engineering can be used to limit metal accumulation in leaves or direct metal accumulation in poplar trunks using relevant metal transporter genes under the control of tissue-specific promoters. This thesis focuses on the characterization of 3 candidate metal transporters potentially involved in metal tolerance and accumulation in poplar: PtIREG1, PtNRAMP3.1 and PtNRAMP3.2. Expression of PtIREG1 in yeast and in Arabidopsis thaliana indicated that it contributes to nickel tolerance. Transgenic poplars were generated in which PtIREG1is either ectopically overexpressed or expressed specifically in wood tissues. PtNRAMP3.1 and PtNRAMP3.2 transgenic plants were also generated during this thesis. Despite their high similarity, PtNRAMP3.1 and PtNRAMP3.2 displayed distinct localizations in poplar: PtNRAMP3.2 is targeted to the vacuolar membrane whereas PtNRAMP3.1 localizes in a compartment connected with the Golgi apparatus. Metal concentrations were modified in leaves of transgenic plants grown on metal-contaminated or non-contaminated soil. The results obtained will contribute to develop a biotechnological approach using transgenic plants for the rehabilitation in metal polluted soils.

Submitted by MARIANE LUZ DOS ANJOS null (mluzanjos@bol.com.br) on 2017-03-08T23:18:04Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Avaliação do processo de remoção de fármacos e parabenos de esgoto doméstico em sistema de tratamento baseado em lagoas de lemnas.pdf: 2472000 bytes, checksum: dda052a00851f9fefb87686b3c89414b (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by LUIZA DE MENEZES ROMANETTO (luizamenezes@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2017-03-13T20:52:05Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 anjos_ml_me_ilha.pdf: 2472000 bytes, checksum: dda052a00851f9fefb87686b3c89414b (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-13T20:52:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 anjos_ml_me_ilha.pdf: 2472000 bytes, checksum: dda052a00851f9fefb87686b3c89414b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-16 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / A presença de fármacos e parabenos em esgoto doméstico é uma questão de grande preocupação devido seus efeitos negativos em ecossistemas e na saúde humana. Neste sentido a fitoremediação surge como sendo uma alternativa vantajosa de remoção dos micropoluentes, o baixo custo de implantação e manutenção é um fator atrativo. O presente estudo visa avaliar a capacidade de duas macrófitas aquáticas (Landoltia punctata e Lemna minor.), para remoção de fármacos (Diclofenaco e Naproxeno) e parabenos (Metil e Propil parabeno) do esgoto doméstico. Foram utilizados dois tanques de 3000 mil litros, sendo Tanque A composto por Landoltia punctata e Tanque B , Lemna minor, foram coletadas amostras a cada três dias durante 21 dias nos períodos diurno e vespertino. Os resultados de remoção para os fármacos do Tanque B, em média 0,63 g/L( remoção de 96.70% ) para diclofenaco e 30,60g/L para naproxeno (remoção de 49,29%) respectivamente, enquanto o Tanque A atingiu 3,42g/L para diclofenaco e (remoção de 80,4%) 34,47g/L para naproxeno (remoção de 36,85%). Os resultados para remoções de metilparabeno foi para tanque A (diurno e vespertino) foram de 14,36 e 14,78g/l, (remoção de 90,87% e 90,60%), enquanto o tanque B foi de 16,86 g/L para período diurno ( eficiência de 90,61%), 17,22g/L, e a sua (eficiência de 89,05%) durante o período vespertino. Para propil parabeno houve uma maior remoção para tanque B de 16,18 g/L para (PrPP), ( eficiência de 89,35%), enquanto que para o período vespertino as concentrações foram de 13,97g/L para (PrPP), (eficiência de 90,60%), para o tanque A as concentrações foram em média de saída foi de 59,52g/L para o propilparabeno, e para o período vespertino foi observado uma eficiência média de 73,73%, com uma concentração de 55,10 g/L de (PrPP).Esses resultados destacam a importância das lagoas de polimento de lemna para remoção de fármacos e parabenos. / The presence of pharmaceuticals and parabens in domestic wastewater is a question of great concern, due the negative effects on ecosystems and human health. The phytoremediation appears to be an advantageous alternative to removing the micropollutants, the low cost of implantation and maintenance is an attractive factor. The objective of this study was evaluate the capacity of two macrophytes (Landoltia punctata and Lemna minor), to remove pharmaceuticals (diclofenac and naproxen) and parabens (methyl and propyl paraben) of domestic wastewater. It were used two tanks ( 3000 liters each), tank A was composed with Landoltia punctata and tank B, Lemna minor, samples were collected every three days for 21 days, during the morning and evening periods. The results for the removal of the pharmaceuticals were achieved by tank B were 0.63 ug / L (96.70% removal) to diclofenac and 30,60g / L of naproxen (removal 49,29 %) respectively, while the tank A reached 3,42g / L diclofenac and (80.4% removal) 34,47g / L of naproxen (36.85% removal). The results achieved for removal of parabens higher for methylparaben to the tank A (morning and evening) were 14.36 and 14,78g / L (removal of 90.87% and 90.60%), while tank B was 16.86 ug / L for morning (90.61% efficiency), 17,22g / L, and its (89.05% efficiency) during the afternoon. While for propyl paraben there was a greater removal to tank B 16.18 ug / L (PRPP) (89.35% efficiency), whereas for the evening period concentrations were 13,97g / L for (PRPP), (90,60% efficiency) to the tank A the concentrations were in average of 59,52g / L propylparaben, and the evening period had an average efficiency 73.73%, with a concentration of 55.10 ug / L (PRPP) .These results emphasize the importance of lemna polishing ponds for removal of pharmaceuticals and parabens.

Resumo: O meio mais diretamente afetado pela contaminação antrópica é o solo e, consequentemente, a água subterrânea. No processo de fitorremediação, a absorção direta de contaminantes no solo, através das raízes, evita a contaminação da zona freática, ou mesmo, pode reduzir o tamanho da pluma de contaminação de benzeno, protegendo os pontos receptores. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o potencial remediador e as respostas indicadoras de distúrbios de três espécies vegetais, quando expostas ao benzeno. Entre a espécies estudadas tem-se uma monodicotiledônea (Brachiaria brizantha), uma eudicotiledônea (Impatiens walleriana) e uma samambaia (Pteris vittata). Para avaliar o potencial remediador foram efetuados ensaios de injeção direta e nebulização de benzeno sobre as espécies. Pteris vittata apresentou baixa absorção (5,88%) e acumulou principalmente na raiz, o que também foi observado através da ausência de sintomas visuais de fitotoxicidade. Impatiens walleriana apresentou altas taxas de remoção de benzeno e após a suspensão da contaminação, a espécie reagiu ao processo de desintoxicação, recuperando a rigidez do caule e coloração das folhas. Brachiaria brizantha não reagiu ao processo de desintoxicação e morreu ao final do tratamento. Para compreender as respostas indicadoras de distúrbios, as folhas foram retiradas, processadas e fixadas segundo técnicas usuais, para análise em microscopia eletrônica de varredura, para identificar injúrias microscópicas na superfície foliar. As três espécies vegetais apresentaram aumento na densidade estomática, posteriormente ao tratamento com injeção de benzeno. O acúmulo de peróxido de hidrogênio e a indicação de morte celular foram respostas à presença do benzeno nos tecidos foliares. Na nebulização com o contaminante, as três espécies apresentaram efeitos fitotóxicos, como alteração na densidade estomática e tamanho dos estômatos... / Abstract: The environment most directly affected by human contamination is the soil and consequently groundwater. In phytoremediation process, the direct absorption of contaminants in the soil by the roots, prevents contamination of groundwater or to reduce the size of the plume, protecting receptor sites. The aim of this study was to evaluate the remedial potential and the indicator responses disorders of three plant species when exposed to benzene. The species used were a monocotyledon (Brachiaria brizantha (A. Rich.) Stapf), a eudicotyledon (Impatiens walleriana Hook. F.) and a fern (Pteris vittata L.). To assess the potential remedial were made direct injection testes and benzene mist on the species. Pteris vittata showed low absorption (5.88%) and accumulated mainly in the root, which was also observed by the absence of visual symptoms of phytotoxicity. Impatiens walleriana showed high removal rates of benzene and after suspension of the contamination, the species reacted to the detoxification process and regained stem stiffness and color of the leaves. Brachiaria brizantha did not react to the detoxification process and the end of treatment died. To understand the indicator responses disorders the leaves were removed, processed and fixed according to standard techniques for analysis in a scanning electron microscope to identify changes in the surface of the leaves. The three species showed an increase in stomatal density, after the treatment with benzene injection. The hydrogen peroxide accumulation and cell death indication are responses to the presence of benzene in the leaves. In benzene contamination by mist, the three species showed phytotoxic effects, such as changes in stomatal density and stomatal size. At the end, we have the Impatiens walleriana as a species, which adds more features desirable to phytotechnology. Pteris vittata and B. brizantha don't showed phytoremediation potential ... / Orientador: Valquíria de Campos / Coorientador: Letícia Silva Souto / Banca: Leandro Cardoso de Morais / Banca: Ingrid Koch / Mestre

Submitted by Marcos Anselmo (marcos.anselmo@unipampa.edu.br) on 2016-04-04T19:06:17Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Anderson da Silva Rosa.pdf: 3717734 bytes, checksum: 87724729c4a8c7bfe10174d0b64ea722 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-04T19:06:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Anderson da Silva Rosa.pdf: 3717734 bytes, checksum: 87724729c4a8c7bfe10174d0b64ea722 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-10-12 / Pesticidas são compostos sintéticos que possibilitam o aumento da produção e da qualidade dos produtos agrícolas através da diminuição das perdas geradas por organismos indesejados. No entanto, eles podem gerar um gradativo impacto ambiental devido a sua toxicidade. Resíduos de pesticidas e seus metabólitos têm sido frequentemente encontrados em águas subterrâneas e de superfície. Desta forma, a contaminação de corpos d'água pode afetar direta ou indiretamente a saúde humana e a integridade do ecossistema por induzir uma ameaça significativa em ambientes aquáticos e recursos de água potável. A descontaminação de águas contaminadas por pesticidas tem um custo elevado e envolve grande gasto de energia. A fitorremediação (o uso de plantas para descontaminação de compostos xenobióticos) ganhou popularidade como uma rentável, ambientalmente amigável e eficiente tecnologia insitu para uma variedade de poluentes e, entre eles, muitos pesticidas. O presente estudo avaliou o potencial de fitorremediação da alface (Lactuca sativa L.) em águas contendo uma mistura dos pesticidas quincloraque, 2,4-D, clomazone, propanil e tebuconazole na concentração de 50 μg/L através de cultivo hidropônico. Para tal fim, foi desenvolvido e validado um método multirresidual para a determinação destes pesticidas citados por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência com detecção por arranjo de diodos (HPLCDAD) em água potável e de cultivo hidropônico. O método desenvolvido mostrou-se eficaz, confiável, com boa sensibilidade e repetibilidade para a determinação dos compostos de interesse. O método proporciona ainda, flexibilidade para incluir novos pesticidas e/ou seus produtos de degradação. Para a avaliação da fitorremediação, mudas de alface foram cultivadas e após dez dias os meios de cultivo foram fortificados com os pesticidas em estudo. Foram coletadas amostras da água de cultivo no dia da fortificação, no sétimo e décimo-quarto dia após o tratamento. Houve uma diminuição significativa das concentrações de quincloraque, tebuconazole, 2,4-D e clomazone, sendo os melhores resultados obtidos após sete dias para os dois primeiros compostos e quatorze dias para os últimos, respectivamente. Esse estudo mostra o potencial do cultivo hidropônico de alface para a fitorremediação de pesticidas em água. / Pesticides are synthetic compounds that enable an increased production and quality of agricultural products by reducing losses caused by unwanted organisms. However, they can generate a gradual environmental problem due to their toxicity. Pesticide residues and their metabolites have often been found in groundwater and surface. Thus, the contamination of water bodies may directly or indirectly affect human health and the ecosystem integrity by inducing a significant threat to aquatic environments and drinking water resources. The decontamination of water contaminated by pesticides is expensive and involves great expenditure of energy. The phytoremediation (the use of plants to decontaminate xenobiotics) has gained popularity as a low cost, environmentally friendly and efficient in situ technology for a variety of pollutants and, among them, many pesticides. The present study evaluated the potential for phytoremediation of lettuce to water containing a mixture of pesticides quinclorac, 2,4- D, clomazone, propanil and tebuconazole concentration of 50 μg/L through hydroponics. Therefore, a multirresidue method for determination of pesticides cited by high performance liquid chromatography, with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD), in drinking water and hydroponic medium was developed and validated. The method has proven effective, reliable with good sensitivity and reproducibility for determining the compounds of interest. The method provides further flexibility to add new pesticide and/or its degradation products. For the evaluation of phytoremediation lettuce seedlings were grown and after ten days, the culture media was fortified with the x pesticides under study. Water samples were collected from cultivation on fortification, on the 7th and 14th days after treatment. It was observed a significant decrease in concentrations of quinclorac, tebuconazole, clomazone and 2,4-D, and the best results were obtained after seven days for the first two compounds and for the past fourteen days, respectively. This study shows the potential of hydroponic cultivation of lettuce for phytoremediation of pesticides in water.

Nanomaterials are widely used in many different products, such as electronics, cosmetics, industrial goods, biomedical uses, and other material applications. The heavy emission of nanomaterials into the environment has motived increasing concern regarding the effects on ecosystems, food chains, and, human health. Plants can tolerate a certain amount of natural nanomaterials, but large amounts of ENMs released from a variety of industries could be toxic to plants and possibly threaten the ecosystem. Employing phytoremediation as a contamination treatment method may show promise. However a pre-requisite to successful treatment is a better understanding of the behavior and effects of nanomaterials within plant systems. This study is designed to investigate the uptake, translocation, bioavailability, and toxicity of gold nanorods in maize plants. Maize is an important food and feed crop that can be used to understand the potential hazardous effects of nanoparticle uptake and distribution in the food chain. The findings could be an important contribution to the fields of phytoremediation, agri-nanotechnology, and nanoparticle toxicity on plants. In the first experiment, hydroponically grown maize seedlings were exposed to similar doses of commercial non-coated gold nanorods in three sizes, 10x34 nm, 20x75 nm, and 40x96 nm. The three nanorod species were suspended in solutions at concentrations of 350 mg/l, 5.8 mg/l, and 14 mg/l, respectively. Maize plants were exposed to all three solutions resulting in considerably lower transpiration and wet biomass than control plants. Likewise, dry biomass was reduced, but the effect is less pronounced than that of transpiration and wet biomass. The reduced transpiration and water content, which eventually proved fatal to exposed plants, were most likely a result of toxic effect of gold nanorod, which appeared to physically hinder the root system. TEM images proved that maize plants can uptake gold particles and accumulate them in root and leaf cells. However, the translocation factor of gold nanorods from root to leaf was very low in this experiment. In the second experiment, maize seedlings were exposed to different (lower) concentrations of gold nanorods measured at 4.5x10-3 mg/l, 0.45 mg/l, and 2.25 mg/l for 10 days. Transpiration and biomass measurements demonstrated that the higher concentration of gold nanorods caused lower water uptake and growth, but lower concentrations did not show a significant toxic effect. According to ICP-MS results, root systems of the exposed plants were surrounded by high concentrations of sorbed nanorods, which physically interfered with uptake pathways and, thus, inhibited plant growth and nutritional uptake.