International Journal of Phytoremediation最新文献

Industrial growth has intensified water pollution from chromium (Cr) and methylene blue (MB), posing serious health hazards. This study synthesized nanoporous activated carbon (NPAC) from waste red onion peels through chemical and physical activation, thereby enhancing surface functionality and porosity for pollutant removal. Characterization using FTIR, XRD, BET, FE-SEM, EDX, TEM, and XPS confirmed the presence of diverse functional groups, nano-sized pores, and a surface area of 338.85 m²/g. NPAC-WROP exhibited high adsorption capacities of 171.98 mg/g for Cr(VI) and 177.53 mg/g for MB at 298 K. This study also developed single-stage and two-stage adsorption batch reactor models, providing a theoretical framework for optimizing NPAC-WROP dose in adsorption processes for efficient removal of pollutants such as MB dye and Cr(VI) ions from wastewater. The theoretical results showed that 266.63 and 197.53 g of NPAC-WROP were required to treat a 100 mg/L pollutant concentration of Cr(VI) or MB dye, respectively, achieving 95% conversion at a volumetric flow rate of 100 dm³ in the single-stage system, whereas these requirements were reduced to 132.70 and 106.23 g, respectively, in the two-stage system.

The Sida cordifolia is an easily available, low-cost, and nontoxic plant that was introduced to produce Sida cordifolia stem activated carbon (SCSAC) using phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) activating agent and applied for Cr(VI) removal. This SCSAC has a good surface area of 171.072 m²/g and can remove 99% of Cr(VI) in the optimum conditions (pH 3.0, adsorbent dose 2.5 g, 10 mg/L Cr(VI) initial concentration, 180 min contact time, and temperature of 30 °C). Batch study revealed that the Langmuir isotherm model was fitted to the Cr(VI) removal, showing an adsorption capacity of 38.59 mg/g. The thermodynamics investigation suggested a spontaneous adsorption process, and materials can be significantly used up to five consecutive cycles. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis confirmed that three types of interaction were going on between Cr(VI) ions and the SCSAC surface, i.e., electrostatic attraction, reduction, and complexation. Overall, the noxious plants' plant stems activated carbon applied as an effective adsorbent and showed a huge potential for Cr(VI) removal in polluted water.

The widespread contamination of terrestrial ecosystems with micro and nanoplastics (MNPs) poses emerging risks to plant health, food safety, and agroecosystem sustainability. Growing evidence suggests that MNPs interact with plants through multiple exposure pathways, influencing their growth, metabolism, and nutrient dynamics. This review synthesizes current research on the sources of MNPs in agricultural soils, their entry and transport within plants, and their potential impacts on plant primary and secondary metabolism. Particular emphasis is placed on how MNP exposure may alter nutrient allocation, metabolic regulation, and the nutritional quality of edible plant tissues, thereby raising concerns for crop productivity, food security, and human dietary exposure. The review also discusses how soil structural changes, microbial disruption, and contaminant vector effects may indirectly influence plant health and agroecosystem functioning. While current evidence indicates that MNPs could affect plant performance and nutritional outcomes, substantial uncertainties remain due to the predominance of short-term laboratory studies. Key knowledge gaps and future research directions are identified, emphasizing the need for field-scale investigations and integrated risk assessments to better evaluate the long-term implications of MNP contamination in agricultural systems.

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal that disrupts plant nutrition and reduces biomass production. This study evaluated the effects of Cd contamination on biomass yield, nutrient status, nutrient use efficiency, and the phytoextraction potential of two tropical forage grasses. A greenhouse experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement, including three Cd levels (0, 2, and 12 mg kg^-1) and two forage species (Megathyrsus maximus cv. Mombaça and Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu). Plants were grown in two soils with contrasting physicochemical properties (Typic Hapludox and Typic Quartzipsamment), both limed and fertilized. Cadmium exposure altered nutrient concentrations in plant tissues. Concentrations of N, P, K, S, Cu, and Zn increased with Cd contamination, while nutrient use efficiency declined, particularly at higher Cd levels. These effects were mainly attributed to a concentration effect caused by reduced biomass. U. brizantha showed greater tolerance to Cd stress, with higher biomass production, improved nutrient use efficiency, and greater removal of bioavailable Cd from the soil compared with M. maximus. The results highlight the importance of species selection and proper soil and nutrient management for phytoremediation of Cd-contaminated soils.

The use of residual herbicides provides extended weed control but may negatively affect soil quality, subsequent crops, and the environment. Diclosulam, a sulfonanilide herbicide with moderate persistence and high bioavailability, presents a high potential for water contamination and carryover effects. Green manure species have emerged as promising tools for phytoremediation while simultaneously improving soil fertility. This study evaluated the morphophysiological tolerance and phytoremediation capacity of Canavalia ensiformis, Stizolobium aterrimum, and Cajanus cajan, cultivated either in monoculture or intercropped in soil contaminated with diclosulam (42 g a.i. ha^-1). C. ensiformis showed no visible intoxication symptoms, whereas C. cajan and S. aterrimum exhibited maximum phytotoxicity levels of 18% and 21%, respectively. Intercropping altered physiological responses, indicating hormetic and interspecific interaction effects that enhanced plant performance in certain combinations. Leaf area, plant height, and biomass of C. ensiformis and C. cajan were maintained or increased under diclosulam exposure. In contrast, S. aterrimum showed reduced growth in monoculture but improved performance when intercropped. Diclosulam concentrations in the soil decreased by 13-18%, with the highest reduction observed in S. aterrimum monoculture (18.3%). Although remediation efficiency was moderate, the high tolerance of these species highlights their potential for use in herbicide-contaminated soils, promoting soil cover and fertility while mitigating carryover effects.

The increasing contamination of soils by pesticides, particularly Chlorpyrifos (CPF), poses serious environmental threats. Phytoremediation is an emerging, sustainable, and cost-effective approach toward the remediation of pesticide-contaminated soils. This study explores the phytoremediation potential of Ricinus communis L. (castor bean) of Chlorpyrifos contaminated soils. Parameters such as seed germination percentage, vigor index, root and shoot length, and biomass were assessed under varying CPF concentrations. The presence of CPF in soil and plant tissues analyzed using GC-MS/MS over a 14-day period revealed complete degradation of CPF within 14 days, with no detectable residues either in soil/plant samples. Morphological assessments of Ricinus communis L. showed high tolerance to CPF stress, providing insightful evidence of Ricinus communis L. functioning both as a CPF accumulator and degrader, with no phytotoxic symptoms under pesticide loads. These findings introduce Ricinus communis L. as a novel, fast-acting, and eco-friendly phytoremediator, offering a practical solution for remediating organophosphate contaminated environments.

Heavy metal contamination in aquatic ecosystems poses significant environmental and public health risks. This study aimed to evaluate the of water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) to remove Copper (Cu) and Lead (Pb) from highly polluted water in laboratory settings, with the goal of applying it to areas heavily contaminated with Cu and Pb. A second objective was to investigate its potential use in removing heavy metals and nutrients from the Bahr El Baqar drain. Also assessed the Pb adsorption capacity of its dry roots. This is due to its remarkable ability to accumulate high concentrations of lead in its roots. Samples of P. stratiotes were collected, acclimated and tested for the accumulation of Pb and Cu at 0.0, 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, and 800 mg L^-1 for 14 and 18 days. The BCF, TF and BAC were determined. Also, samples of P. stratiotes were examined for reducing or purifying the water of Bahr El Baqar Drain (a mixture of agricultural, industrial and sewage water), which is one of the largest major drains in Egypt polluted with heavy metals. Chlorophyll contents were estimated in P. stratiotes treated in Bahr El-Baqar drainage water, water polluted with 50 µg ml^-1 of each Pb Cu and water control for 6-day. A batch system was used for the kinetics and equilibrium biosorption of dry roots with Langmuir and Freundlich models. Results demonstrated that P. stratiotes effectively accumulated Pb in roots (67,379.69 mg kg^-1 at 800 mg L^-1 after 14 days) with minimal translocation to leaves (TF: 0.0003), whereas Cu showed significant shoot translocation (2,851.61 mg kg^-1, TF: 0.74). Despite chlorophyll reduction (26.31% at 50 mg L^-1 Pb) and carotenoid decline (99.3% at 50 mg L^-1 Cu), the plant exhibited high bioconcentration (BCF: 41.39 for Pb) and bioaccumulation (BAF: 7.03-29.29 for Cu), highlighting its suitability for phytostabilization and phytofiltration in contaminated systems. Dry roots outperformed conventional adsorbents in Pb adsorption (1,666.67 mg kg^-1 via Langmuir model). In Bahr El-Baqar water, P. stratiotes removed 100% of Pb, Cu, and Ni, and 94.47% of Zn within 18 days, while reducing electrical conductivity (33.2%), pH (3.35%), and nutrient levels (Ca: 79%, K: 91.74%, Mg: 21.43%). These findings confirm that P. stratiotes is a cost-effective solution for remediating metals and nutrients.

Heavy metal contamination, particularly from lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn), poses significant ecological and public health concerns. This study evaluated metal uptake, translocation, and tolerance in Gerbera jamesonii through a controlled hydroponic experiment with five Pb and Zn treatments (0, 5, 10, 15, and 30 mg L^-1), each replicated five times (n = 5), and a greenhouse pot experiment using five soil Pb treatments (S1-S5; 0-15202 mg kg^-1), each replicated eight times (n = 8), arranged in a completely randomized design. In hydroponics, Pb was largely immobilized in roots, with bioconcentration factors (BCF) > 1 and translocation factors (TF) near zero at all concentrations, confirming minimal root-to-shoot movement and strong phytostabilization potential. Zn showed moderate accumulation in roots and shoots at low concentrations but caused toxicity and complete mortality at 30 mg L^-1, indicating metal-specific physiological thresholds. In pot experiments, G. jamesonii displayed dose-dependent reductions in shoot and root biomass yet survived and continued accumulating Pb in roots under moderate contamination. Zn concentrations in plant tissues remained stable across soil treatments, suggesting efficient internal regulation. Overall, G. jamesonii effectively immobilizes Pb while exhibiting sensitivity to elevated Zn, supporting its suitability for Pb phytostabilization in contaminated soils, with further research needed to refine field-scale applications.

The study examined the effects of industrial solid waste (ISW) and the potential of 24-epibrassinolide, melatonin, and their combination to enhance the phytoremediation of the fenugreek plant. Trigonella foenum-graecum L. plants were grown in soils amended with varying concentrations of ISW (0, 5, 10, and 15%) and treated with 24-epibrassinolide, melatonin, and their combination for 60-days. The physicochemical properties of the ISW were analyzed before and after plant harvesting. The results showed that exposure to ISW toxicity significantly reduced the growth parameters and altered the characteristics of the fenugreek plants. Melatonin and epibrassinolide boosted antioxidant activity and mitigated metal-induced stress. Metal analysis showed a substantial reduction in concentrations across all solid waste treatments, suggesting successful metal remediation. The lowest metal uptake was observed at 5% solid waste concentration, while the highest was at 10% concentration. Fenugreek accumulates lead highly compared with nickel and cadmium (Pb > Ni > Cd). Melatonin applied at a 10% concentration of industrial solid waste proved to be a highly effective stimulant in mitigating metal stress in fenugreek plants grown in metal-contaminated soil, by significantly reducing metal uptake and translocation to various parts of the plant, thereby promoting plant growth and development in polluted soil.

Heavy metal pollution from industrial wastewater poses significant threats to agricultural productivity and human health, with global cropland contamination affecting 14-17% of areas. This study evaluated microwave-irradiated sugarcane biochar (BC) for enhancing Phyto stabilization in Capsicum annuum L. exposed to synthetic wastewater (WW) containing chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), and copper (Cu). Biochar prepared at 700 °C (0, 2, 5, 10 g) subjected to microwave irradiations for 0, 30, 60 and 90 s for 1 and 2 h' adsorption batch experiments. The highest adsorption was achieved at 60s with irradiated BC 10 g in 2 h' experiment where more than 80% Pb, Cu and Cr was removed. This Optimized BC (60s) doses (0, 1, 5 g/kg soil) were integrated into pot experiment with wastewater concentrations (0, 25, 50, 100%). Results indicated 75.5% reduction in leaf dry biomass at 100% wastewater without BC, mitigated by 73.1% increase with 5 g/kg BC; metal uptake decreased 18.4-25.0%; photosynthetic pigments rose 24.4-66.4%; oxidative stress markers (MDA, H₂O₂) declined 57.8-60.6%; antioxidants surged 631.2-686.9% under stress but balanced with amendment. PCA and correlations confirmed BC's role in decoupling stress-growth tradeoffs, offering a sustainable, low-cost remediation strategy for contaminated agroecosystems.