MISCANTHUS X GIGANTEUS AS A NEW HIGHLY EFFICIENT PHYTOREMEDIATION AGENT FOR IMPROVING SOILS CONTAMINATED BY PESTICIDES RESIDUES AND SUPPLEMENTED CONTAMINANTS.

Abstract

Soil monitoring was accomplished at 76 former pesticide storehouses in Kazakhstan. Gas chromatography analysis was limited to the organochlorine pesticides DDT (p,p'-dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane) and HCH (hexachlorocyclohexane), and their associated metabolites and isomers: 2.4'-DDD (p,p'-dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethane); 4.4'-DDD; 4.4'-DDT; 4.4'-DDE (p,p'-dichlorodiphenyl-dichloroethylene); α-HCH; β-HCH and γ-HCH. The studies showed exceeding of Maximum Acceptable Concentration (MAC) by 10 times at soil samples taken at 24 former pesticide storehouses, and the basic pollutants were isomers of α-HCH, β-HCH and metabolite of 4.4'-DDE, 4.4'-DDT, supplemented by heavy metals. Monitoring data demonstrated the potential ecological danger and health risk posed by the sites, especially those located near populated areas. In order to eliminate the negative environmental and health effect it was proposed to use phytotechnology with second generation biofuel crop Miscanthus x giganteus. The technology applied directly at the contaminated area (in situ), helping to decrease costs and to reduce exposure from polluted sites. The plant shows good growing at the soil contaminated by pesticides during vegetation season.