Evaluation of heavy metal accumulation in soils and plants is of environmental importance due to their health effects on humans and other biota. Phytoremediation is an emerging technology that can stabilize or remove heavy metals in soil utilizing metal tolerant plant species (metallophytes). The objectives of this study were to: (1) assess a Superfund site, and a lead-acid battery dump for concentrations of soil lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd); (2) assess the various chemical fractions of Pb and Cd at both sites; (3) identify native herbaceous vegetation surviving in the contaminated soils; and (4) evaluate plant uptake of Pb and Cd. Soil Pb and Cd concentrations at the Superfund site averaged 55,480 and 8.5 mg/kg, respectively. Soil Pb at the Superfund site occurred primarily in the carbonate, sulfide/residual, and organic chemical fractions (41.6, 28.6, and 26.7, respectively). Soil Pb and Cd concentrations at the dump site averaged 29,400 and 3.9 mg/kg, respectively. Soil Pb occurred mostly in the organic and carbonate fractions as 48.5 and 42.5% respectively. Plant uptake of Pb at both sites ranged from non-detectable (Agrostemma githago, Plantago rugeli, Alliaria officinalis shoots), to 1800 mg/kg (Agrostemma githago root). Cd uptake was maximal in Taraxacum officinale at 15.4 mg/kg (Superfund site). In the majority of plants studied, root Pb and Cd content was higher than for shoots (>_65%). Tissue and soil fractions yielded r2 of 0.61 and 0.57 for the soluble and carbonate-Pb fractions, respectively. The plants with the greatest tissue concentrations of Pb and Cd were predominantly herbaceous species, some of which produce sufficient biomass to be practical for phytoremediation technologies. / Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/186959 |
| Date | January 2001 |
| Creators | Kuroiwa, Kirk D. |
| Contributors | Pichtel, John R. |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | vi, 56 leaves : ill., maps ; 28 cm. |
| Source | Virtual Press |
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