Promising Method for Phytoremediation of Contaminated Soils

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the Southern Federal University have discovered a promising approach for the phytoremediation of heavy-metal-contaminated soils of coal dumps. The study, funded by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, used plants such as Elytrigia repens and herbaceous phytoextractor Medicago sativa, along with chelating agents like Na-EDTA and citric acid, to increase the phytostabilization potential of E. repens and the phytoextraction potential of M. sativa for Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni, and Zn.

Key Takeaways:

  • The use of chelating agents increased the phytostabilization potential of E. repens and the phytoextraction potential of M. sativa for Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni, and Zn.
  • The highest intensity of metal uptake was observed in variants with the application of organic acids, especially citric acid.
  • The addition of citric acid led to a significant increase in the abundance of ammonifying bacteria, with a 4-7.5 times increase observed.
  • The use of citric acid resulted in the accumulation of ammonium in the soil, which is favorable for plant community of the coal dumps.
  • The combination of E. repens and M. sativa with citric acid is a promising approach for phytoremediation of heavy-metal-contaminated soils of coal dumps.
  • The study has been peer-reviewed and published in the International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology.
  • The research was conducted in the Soil Health laboratory of the Southern Federal University.

Statistics:

  • The abundance of ammonifying bacteria increased by 4-7.5 times with the addition of citric acid.
  • The abundance of bacteria utilizing ammonium nitrogen decreased by 1.9-2.2 times with the addition of citric acid.
  • The activity of ammonium oxidation decreased by 1.1-2.9 times with the addition of citric acid.
  • The phytoextraction potential of M. sativa for Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni, and Zn increased significantly with the use of chelating agents.
  • The study used two plant species, E. repens and M. sativa, and three chelating agents, Na-EDTA, citric acid, and oxalic acid.

Sources:

  • The Effect of Chelators On the Microbiota and Phytoremediation of Coal Dump Soils. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 2025.
  • Southern Federal University, Rostov Na Donu, Russia.
  • Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.
  • International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, Springer, One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, Ny, United States.
  • F. D. Ivanov, Southern Federal University, Rostov Na Donu 344090, Russia.