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Effects of biochar-immobilized bacteria on phytoremediation of cadmium-polluted soil

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Abstract

This work is the first report of the ability of biochar-immobilized cadmium-resistant bacteria (CRB) on promoting the efficiency of cadmium phytoextraction by Chlorophytum laxum R.Br. The survival of CRB immobilized on biochar in cadmium-contaminated soil at a concentration of 75.45 mg kg−1 was studied. The results found that both CRB, namely Arthrobacter sp. TM6 and Micrococcus sp. MU1, can survive and grow in cadmium-contaminated soil. To study phytoextraction in the pot experiments, 2-month-old C. laxum was individually planted in cadmium-contaminated soil and divided into four treatments, including (i) untreated control, (ii) biochar, (iii) biochar-immobilized (BC) Arthrobacter sp., and (iv) BC-Micrococcus sp. The results found that biochar-immobilized CRB did not cause any effect to the root lengths and shoot heights of plants compared to the untreated control. Interestingly, inoculation of biochar-immobilized CRB significantly increased cadmium accumulation in the shoots and roots compared to the untreated control. In addition, the highest cadmium content in a whole plant, best phytoextraction performance, and greatest bioaccumulation factor was found in plant inoculated with BC-Micrococcus sp., followed by BC-Arthrobacter sp. In conclusion, inoculation of biochar-immobilized CRB enhanced cadmium accumulation and translocation of cadmium from the roots to shoots, suggesting further applying biochar-immobilized CRB in cadmium-polluted soil for promoting cadmium phytoextraction efficiency of ornamental plants.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank V. Vanitshavit, A. Nisaitrongsrisug, and N. Siribanchachai for their valuable technical assistances. Appreciation is also expressed to Dr. T.N. Stewart for proofreading this article.

Funding

This research was supported by a grant from the Center of Excellence on Biodiversity (grant number BDC-PG1-160003) and the Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies of Mahidol University Alumni Association.

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  1. Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Mahidol University, Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand

    Chonticha Chuaphasuk & Benjaphorn Prapagdee

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  1. Chonticha Chuaphasuk
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  2. Benjaphorn Prapagdee
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Correspondence to Benjaphorn Prapagdee.

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Chuaphasuk, C., Prapagdee, B. Effects of biochar-immobilized bacteria on phytoremediation of cadmium-polluted soil. Environ Sci Pollut Res 26, 23679–23688 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-05661-6

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