Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Seed bank of Cu-contaminated topsoils at a wood preservation site: impacts of copper and compost on seed germination

  • Published:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Is identification of seed bank (SB) species useful for sustainable management of vegetation restoration on Cu-contaminated soils? How does Cu contamination of the soil affect the SB and can incorporating compost into Cu-contaminated soils counter the effects of Cu? The topsoil SB was investigated at seven contaminated sub-sites of a wood preservation site. The germination parameters of the seeds were recorded using three substrates: a washed river sand (Sand), the same sand spiked with CuSO4 to reach the same Cu concentrations as in the soil pore water (0.3 to 3.2 mg Cu/L) (Cu), and the same Cu-spiked sand amended with compost (CPM). The total number of germinated seeds (NGS) was 1,081. The whole seedling dataset enabled 12 plant species and eight families to be identified in the SB. Species richness and Shannon indexes were low. The addition of Cu in the germination substrate enhanced total NGS at one sub-site and the addition of CPM increased plant diversity at three sub-sites. SB composition varied with the sub-site but did not correlate with total soil Cu or with the Cu concentration in the soil pore water. Three species belonging to the Poaceae family dominated. In terms of total NGS, the dominant species were Portulaca oleracea and Agrostis capillaris. Similarities between SB and established vegetation were low but increased when the soil bulk density was reduced. The Cu-tolerant species P. oleracea and A. capillaris dominated in both the SB and the established vegetation. However, the pattern of SB and established vegetation differed and consequently SB was not a sufficient indicator to predict the future vegetation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

CCA:

Copper-chromated arsenate

CPM:

Compost of poultry manure and bark chips

CPMV:

Established vegetation on soil with reduced bulk density soil amended with 5 % (w/w) CPM

Cu:

Copper

NGS:

Number of germinated seeds

SB:

Seed bank

RV:

Established vegetation on soil with reduced bulk density

V:

Vegetation established on the whole site without soil treatment

References

  • Ahsan, N., Lee, D., Lee, S., Kang, K., Lee, J., et al. (2007). Excess copper induced physiological and proteomic changes in germinating rice seeds. Chemosphere, 67(6), 1182–1193.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Aronson, J., Kigel, J., Shmida, A., & Klein, J. (1992). Adaptive phenology of desert and Mediterranean populations of annual plants grown with and without water stress. Oecologia, 89(1), 17–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bekker, R. M., Verweij, G. L., Smith, R. E. N., Reine, R., Bakker, J. P., et al. (1997). Soil seed banks in European grasslands: does land use affect regeneration perspectives? The Journal of Applied Ecology, 34(5), 1293–1310.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bes, C., & Mench, M. (2008). Remediation of copper-contaminated topsoils from a wood treatment facility using in situ stabilisation. Environmental Pollution, 156(3), 1128–1138.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bes, C. M., Mench, M., Aulen, M., Gaste, H., & Taberly, J. (2010). Spatial variation of plant communities and shoot Cu concentrations of plant species at a timber treatment site. Plant and Soil, 330(1–2), 267–280.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, S. (1998). Remnant seed banks and vegetation as predictors of restored marsh vegetation. Canadian Journal of Botany, 76(4), 620–629.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brun, L. A., Le Corff, J., & Maillet, J. (2003). Effects of elevated soil copper on phenology, growth and reproduction of five ruderal plant species. Environmental Pollution, 122(3), 361–368.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chirenje, T., Ma, L. Q., Clark, C., & Reeves, M. (2003). Cu, Cr and As distribution in soils adjacent to pressure-treated decks, fences and poles. Environmental Pollution, 124(3), 407–417.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cox, R. M., & Hutchinson, T. C. (1980). Multiple metal tolerances in the grass Deschampsia cespitosa (L.) Beauv. from the Sudbury smelting area. New Phytologist, 84(4), 631–647.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cuypers, A., Koistinen, K., Kokko, H., Karenlampi, S., Auriola, S., et al. (2005). Analysis of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) proteins affected by copper stress. Journal of Plant Physiology, 162(4), 383–392.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Deepa, R., Senthilkumar, P., Sivakumar, S., Duraisamy, P., & Subbhuraam, C. V. (2006). Copper availability and accumulation by Portulaca oleracea Linn. Stem cutting. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 116(1–3), 185–195.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Di Salvatore, M., Carafa, A., & Carratu, G. (2008). Assessment of heavy metals phytotoxicity using seed germination and root elongation tests: a comparison of two growth substrates. Chemosphere, 73(9), 1461–1464.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Donath, T. W., Hölzel, N., & Otte, A. (2003). The impact of site conditions and seed dispersal on restoration success in alluvial meadows. Applied Vegetation Science, 6(1), 13–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dueck, T. A., Wolting, H. G., Moet, D. R., & Pasman, F. J. M. (1987). Growth and reproduction of Silenecucubalus Wib. intermittently exposed to low concentrations of air-pollutants, zinc and copper. New Phytologist, 105(4), 633–645.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dumestre, A., Sauve, S., McBride, M., Baveye, P., & Berthelin, J. (1999). Copper speciation and microbial activity in long-term contaminated soils. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 36(2), 124–131.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fründ, H. C., Bravin, M., Bossung, C., Emmerling, C., Hinsinger, P., Mench, M., et al. (2007). Is copper stabilizing organic matter in soils? A survey of vineyards and contaminated sites in Germany and France. International Symposium on Organic Matter Dynamics in Agro-Ecosystems, INRA-ESIP.16-19 Juillet, Poitiers, France. pp. 458–459.

  • García-Fayos, P., Bochet, E., & Cerdà, A. (2010). Seed removal susceptibility through soil erosion shapes vegetation composition. Plant and Soil, 334(1–2), 289–297.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ginocchio, R. (2000). Effects of a copper smelter on a grassland community in the Puchuncaví Valley, Chile. Chemosphere, 41(1–2), 15–23.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ginocchio, R., Carvallo, G., Toro, I., Bustamente, E., Silva, Y., et al. (2004). Micro-spatial variation of soil metal pollution and plant recruitment near a copper smelter in Central Chile. Environmental Pollution, 127(3), 343–352.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Graham, D. J., & Hutchings, M. J. (1988). Estimation of the seed bank of a chalk grassland ley established on former arable land. The Journal of Applied Ecology, 25(1), 241–252.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huopalainen, M., Tuittila, E., Vanha-Majamaa, I., Nousiainen, H., Laine, J., et al. (2001). Effects of long-term aerial pollution on soil seed banks in drained pine mires in southern Finland. Water Air and Soil Pollution, 125(1–4), 69–79.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Julve, P. (2011). CATMINAT-Flore et végétation de la France: French flora database. http://philippe.julve.pagesperso-orange.fr/catminat.htm. Accessed 18 August 2011.

  • Karmous, I., El Ferjani, E., & Chaoui, A. (2011). Copper excess impairs mobilization of storage proteins in beans cotyledons. Biological Trace Element Research, 144, 1251–1259.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khurana, N., Singh, M. V., & Chatterjee, C. (2006). Copper stress alters physiology and deteriorates seed quality of rapeseed. Journal of Plant Nutrition, 29(1), 93–101.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, K. D., & Lee, E. J. (2005). Soil seed bank of the waste landfills in South Korea. Plant and Soil, 271(1–2), 109–121.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, H., Kim, D.-J., Koo, J.-H., Park, J.-G., & Jang, Y.-C. (2007). Distribution and mobility of chromium, copper, and arsenic in soils collected near CCA-treated wood structures in Korea. Science of the Total Environment, 374(2–3), 273–281.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kumpiene, J., Ore, S., Renella, G., Mench, M., Lagerkvist, A., et al. (2006). Assessment of zerovalent iron for stabilization of chromium, copper, and arsenic in soil. Environmental Pollution, 144(1), 62–69.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kumpiene, J., Lagerkvist, A., & Maurice, C. (2007). Stabilization of Pb- and Cu-contaminated soil using coal fly ash and peat. Environmental Pollution, 145(1), 365–373.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kumpiene, J., Mench, M., Bes, C. M., & Fitts, J. P. (2011). Assessment of aided phytostabilization of copper-contaminated soil by X-ray absorption spectroscopy and chemical extractions. Environmental Pollution, 159(6), 1536–1542.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lepp, N. W., Hartley, J., Toti, M., & Dickinson, N. M. (1997). Patterns of soil copper contamination and temporal changes in vegetation in the vicinity of a copper rod rolling factory. Environmental Pollution, 95(3), 363–369.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lequeux, H., Hermans, C., Lutts, S., & Verbruggen, N. (2010). Response to copper excess in Arabidopsis thaliana: impact on the root system architecture, hormone distribution, lignin accumulation and mineral profile. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 48(8), 673–682.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mahmood, S., Hussain, A., Saeed, Z., & Athar, M. (2005). Germination and seedling growth of corn (Zea mays l.) under varying levels of copper and zinc. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 2(3), 269–274.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Malan, H., & Farrant, J. (1998). Effects of the metal pollutants cadmium and nickel on soybean seed development. Seed Science Research, 8(4), 445–453.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Marchiol, L., Mondini, C., Leita, L., & Zerbi, G. (1999). Effects of municipal waste leachate on seed germination in soil-compost mixtures. Restoration Ecology, 7(2), 155–161.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meerts, P., & Grommesch, C. (2001). Soil seed banks in a heavy-metal polluted grassland at Prayon (Belgium). Plant Ecology, 155(1), 35–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mench, M., & Bes, C. (2009). Assessment of ecotoxicity of topsoils from a wood treatment site. Pedosphere, 19(2), 143–155.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mench, M., Vangronsveld, J., Lepp, N., Ruttens, A., Bleeker, P., et al. (2007). Use of soil amendments to attenuate trace element exposure: sustainability, side effects, and failures. In H. Rebecca, M. Mike, & E. Lombi (Eds.), Natural attenuation of trace element availability in soils (pp. 197–228). Pensacola: SETAC Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mench, M., Lepp, N., Bert, V., Schwitzguébel, J.-P., Gawronski, S. W., et al. (2010). Successes and limitations of phytotechnologies at field scale: outcomes, assessment and outlook from COST Action 859. Journal of Soils and Sediments, 10(6), 1039–1070.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mesgaran, M. B., Mashhadi, H. R., Zand, E., & Alizadeh, H. M. (2007). Comparison of three methodologies for efficient seed extraction in studies of soil weed seedbanks. Weed Research, 47(6), 472–478.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moore, J., & Wein, R. (1977). Viable seed populations by soil depth and potential site recolonization after disturbance. Canadian Journal of Botany, 55(18), 2408–2412.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muller, F. M. (1978). Seedlings of the North-western European lowlands: a flora of seedling (p. 654). The Hague: Dr W. Junk B.V. Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Noe, G. B., & Zedler, J. B. (2000). Differential effects of four abiotic factors on the germination of salt marsh annuals. American Journal of Botany, 87(11), 1679–1692.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pilon-Smits, E. (2005). Phytoremediation. Annual Review of Plant Biology, 56(1), 15–39.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Russi, L., Cocks, P. S., & Roberts, E. H. (1992). Seed bank dynamics in a Mediterranean grassland. The Journal of Applied Ecology, 29(3), 763–771.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryser, P., & Sauder, W. (2006). Effects of heavy-metal-contaminated soil on growth, phenology and biomass turnover of Hieraciumpiloselloides. Environmental Pollution, 140(1), 52–61.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Salemaa, M., & Uotila, T. (2001). Seed bank composition and seedling survivalin forest soil polluted with heavy metals. Basic and Applied Ecology, 2(3), 251–263.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Searcy, K. B., & Macnair, M. R. (1990). Differential seed production in Mimulus guttatus in response to increasing concentrations of copper in the pistil by pollen from copper tolerant and sensitive sources. Evolution, 44(6), 1424–1435.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • SESSI-SAE. (2007). Service des études et des statistiques industrielles—Données régionales du secteur d’établissements en 2007. http://www.insee.fr/sessi/enquetes/eae/eae/f3.htm. Accessed 17 August 2011.

  • Sørensen, T. (1948). A method of establishing groups of equal amplitude in a plant based on similarity of species content and its applications to analysis of vegetation on Danish commons. Biologiske Skrifter, 5, 1–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stanton, M. L., Roy, B. A., & Thiede, D. A. (2000). Evolution in stressful environments. I. Phenotypic variability, phenotypic selection, and response to selection in five distinct environmental stresses. Evolution, 54(1), 93–111.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stoltz, E., & Greger, M. (2002). Accumulation properties of As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn by four wetland plant species growing on submerged mine tailings. Environmental and Experimental Botany, 47(3), 271–280.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Trubina, M. R. (2009). Species richness and resilience of forest communities: combined effects of short-term disturbance and long-term pollution. Plant Ecology, 201(1), 339–350.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsuyuzaki, S. (1994). Rapid seed extraction from soils by a flotation method. Weed Research, 34(6), 433–436.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vidic, T., Jogan, N., Drobne, D., & Vilhar, B. (2006). Natural revegetation in the vicinity of the former lead smelter in Žerjav, Slovenia. Environmental Science & Technology, 40(13), 4119–4125.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Viragh, K., & Gerencser, L. (1988). Seed bank in the soil and its role during secondary successions induced by some herbicides in a perennial grassland community. Acta Botanica Hungarica, 34(1–2), 77–121.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, X., Chen, X., Liu, S., & Ge, X. (2010). Effect of molecular weight of dissolved organic matter on toxicity and bioavailability of copper to lettuce. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 22(12), 1960–1965.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wierzbicka, M., & Obidzinska, J. (1998). The effect of lead on seed imbibition and germination in different plant species. Plant Science, 137(2), 155–171.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wong, M. (2003). Ecological restoration of mine degraded soils, with emphasis on metal contaminated soils. Chemosphere, 50(6), 775–780.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yazici, I., Türkan, I., Sekmen, A. H., & Demiral, T. (2007). Salinity tolerance of purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is achieved by enhanced antioxidative system, lower level of lipid peroxidation and proline accumulation. Environmental and Experimental Botany, 61(1), 49–57.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, Z. Q., Shu, W. S., Lan, C. Y., & Wong, M. H. (2001). Soil seed bank as an input of seed source in revegetation of lead/zinc mine tailings. Restoration Ecology, 9(4), 378–385.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zobel, M. (1999). Small-scale dynamics of plant communities in an experimentally polluted and fungicide-treated subarctic birch-pine forest. Acta Oecologica, 20(1), 29–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was funded by ADEME, Department of brown fields and polluted sites, Angers, France (ADEME 05 72 C0018 / INRA 22000033) and supported by the site owner. Dr. C. Bes is grateful to the Conseil Régional d’Aquitaine for a PhD grant. The authors are grateful to the COST Action 859 (Phytotechnologies to promote sustainable land use and improve food safety) financed by the European Commission, with European Science Foundation as implementing agent, and to the European Commission under the Seventh Framework Programme for Research (FP7-KBBE-266124, GREENLAND).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. UMR BIOGECO INRA 1202, Ecology of Communities, University of Bordeaux 1, Bât B2 RdC Est, Avenue des Facultés, 33405, Talence, France

    Clémence M. Bes, R. Jaunatre & M. Mench

  2. INRA, UMR BIOGECO INRA, 1202, 69, route d’Arcachon, 33610, Cestas, France

    Clémence M. Bes, R. Jaunatre & M. Mench

Authors
  1. Clémence M. Bes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. R. Jaunatre
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Mench
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Clémence M. Bes.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bes, C.M., Jaunatre, R. & Mench, M. Seed bank of Cu-contaminated topsoils at a wood preservation site: impacts of copper and compost on seed germination. Environ Monit Assess 185, 2039–2053 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-012-2686-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-012-2686-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation