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Phytostabilization Potential of Pb Mine Tailings by Two Grass Species, Thysanolaena maxima and Vetiveria zizanioides

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Abstract

Pot and field experiments were conducted to elucidate the phytostabilization potential of two grass species (Thysanolaena maxima and Vetiveria zizanioides) with respect to lead (Pb) tailing soil. Three fertilizers (Osmocote® fertilizer, cow manure, and organic fertilizer) were used to improve the physicochemical properties of tailing soil. V. zizanioides treated with organic fertilizer and cow manure showed the highest biomass (14.0 ± 2.6 and 10.5 ± 2.6 g per plant, respectively) and the highest Pb uptake in the organic fertilizer treatment (T. maxima, 413.3 μg per plant; V. zizanioides, 519.5 μg per plant) in the pot study, whereas in field trials, T. maxima attained the best performances of dry biomass production (217.0 ± 57.9 g per plant) and Pb uptake (32.1 mg per plant) in the Osmocote® treatment. In addition, both grasses showed low translocation factor (<1) values and bioconcentration coefficients for root (>1). During a 1-year field trial, T. maxima also produced the longest shoot (103.9 ± 29.7 cm), followed by V. zizanioides (70.6 ± 16.8 cm), in Osmocote® treatment. Both grass species showed potential as excluder plants suitable for phytostabilization applications in Pb-contaminated areas.

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Acknowledgments

This research is part of the PhD dissertation of Mr. Weeradej Meeinkuirt that was supported and funded by the Office of Commission on Higher Education through a grant in the program “Strategic Scholarships for Frontier Research Network for the Ph.D. program”; Post-Graduate Education, the Centre on Environmental Health, Toxicity and Management of Toxic Chemicals under Science and Technology Postgraduate Education and Research Development Office (PERDO) of the Ministry of Education and Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. We would like to thank Asst. Prof. Philip D. Round for editing the English.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand

    Weeradej Meeinkuirt, Maleeya Kruatrachue & Prayad Pokethitiyook

  2. Mahidol University International College, Nakornpathom, 73120, Thailand

    Maleeya Kruatrachue

  3. Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand

    Phanwimol Tanhan

  4. Faculty of Environmental and Resource Studies, Mahidol University, Nakornpathom, 73120, Thailand

    Rattanawat Chaiyarat

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  1. Weeradej Meeinkuirt
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Correspondence to Maleeya Kruatrachue.

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Meeinkuirt, W., Kruatrachue, M., Tanhan, P. et al. Phytostabilization Potential of Pb Mine Tailings by Two Grass Species, Thysanolaena maxima and Vetiveria zizanioides . Water Air Soil Pollut 224, 1750 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-013-1750-7

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