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Possible evidence for contribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in phytoremediation of iron–cyanide (Fe–CN) complexes

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Abstract

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are integral functioning parts of plant root systems and are widely recognized for enhancing contaminants uptake and metabolism on severely disturbed sites. However, the patterns of their influence on the phytoremediation of iron–cyanide (Fe–CN) complexes are unknown. Fe–CN complexes are of great common interest, as iron is one of the most abundant element in soil and water. Effect of ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) roots inoculation, using mycorrhizal fungi (Rhizophagus irregularis and a mixture of R. irregularis, Funneliformis mosseae, Rhizophagus aggregatus, and Claroideoglomus etunicatum), on iron–cyanide sorption was studied. Results indicated significantly higher colonization of R. irregularis than the mixture of AMF species on ryegrass roots. Series of batch experiments using potassium hexacyanoferrate (II) solutions, in varying concentrations revealed significantly higher reduction of total CN and free CN content in the mycorrhizal roots, indicating greater cyanide decrease in the treatment inoculated with R. irregularis. Our study is a first indication of the possible positive contribution of AM fungi on the phytoremediation of iron–cyanide complexes.

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Acknowledgments

This study is partially supported by the German Railways (Deutsche Bahn AG) and it contributes to the Virtual Institute of Integrated Climate and Landscape Evolution Analysis –ICLEA- of the Helmholtz Association.This study was supported by Deutsche Bahn (DB) AG within the project “Stabilisierung des DB AG-Standortes durch Verfahren der Bioremediation (Phytoremediation)”. The authors gratefully acknowledge great field and laboratory assistance provided by Neema Munuo, Obinna Duke, Folasade Olagoke and Sheeva Keshavarz. We would also like to acknowledge the help of Katharine Bendele for English language editing and anonymous reviewers for providing helpful comments and suggestions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chair of Geopedology and Landscape Development, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Cottbus, Germany

    Magdalena Sut & Thomas Raab

  2. Chair of Soil Protection and Recultivation, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Cottbus, Germany

    Katja Boldt-Burisch

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  1. Magdalena Sut
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  2. Katja Boldt-Burisch
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Correspondence to Magdalena Sut.

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The authors declare that all the experiments conducted for this study were in compliance with the present German legislation.

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Sut, M., Boldt-Burisch, K. & Raab, T. Possible evidence for contribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in phytoremediation of iron–cyanide (Fe–CN) complexes. Ecotoxicology 25, 1260–1269 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-016-1678-y

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