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Accumulation and phytoremediation of Pb, Zn, and Ag by plants growing on Koshk lead–zinc mining area, Iran

  • Phytoremediation of Polluted Soils: Recent Progress and Developments
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Abstract

Purpose

This study investigated the extent of metal accumulation by plants colonizing a mining area in Yazd Province in Central Iran. It also investigated the suitability of these plants for phytoextraction and phytostabilization as two potential phytoremediation strategies.

Materials and methods

Plants with a high bioconcentration factor (BCF) and low translocation factor (TF) have the potential for phytostabilization, whereas plants with both BCFs and TFs >1 may be appropriate for phytoextraction. In this study, both shoots and roots of 40 plant species and associated soil samples were collected and analyzed for total concentrations of trace elements (Pb, Zn, and Ag). BCFs and TFs were calculated for each element.

Results and discussion

Nonnea persica, Achillea wilhelmsii, Erodium cicutarium, and Mentha longifolia were found to be the most suitable species for phytostabilization of Pb and Zn. Colchicum schimperi, Londesia eriantha, Lallemantia royleana, Bromus tectorum, Hordeum glaucum, and Thuspeinantha persica are the most promising species for element phytoextraction in sites slightly enriched by Ag. Ferula assa-foetida is the most suitable species for phytostabilization of the three studied metals. C. schimperi, L. eriantha, L. royleana, B. tectorum, M. longifolia, and T. persica accumulated Ag, albeit at low level.

Conclusions

Our preliminary study shows that some native plant species growing on this contaminated site may have potential for phytoremediation.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the graduate School of University of Isfahan for providing the research facilities for this study. We also would like to thank from Plant Stress Center of Excellence (University of Isfahan) and also Graduate University of Advanced Technology—Kerman for their support for this study. We thank S. M. Mir Tajadiny for his help in the identification of plant species. Professor A. J. M. Baker (University of Melbourne, Australia) kindly assisted with the final refinement of the paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan 81746-73441, Iran

    Kobra Mahdavian & Seyed Majid Ghaderian

  2. Biotechnology Department, Institute of Science and High Technology and Environmental Sciences, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman, Iran

    Masoud Torkzadeh-Mahani

Authors
  1. Kobra Mahdavian
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  2. Seyed Majid Ghaderian
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  3. Masoud Torkzadeh-Mahani
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Correspondence to Seyed Majid Ghaderian.

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Responsible editor: Maria Manuela Abreu

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Mahdavian, K., Ghaderian, S.M. & Torkzadeh-Mahani, M. Accumulation and phytoremediation of Pb, Zn, and Ag by plants growing on Koshk lead–zinc mining area, Iran. J Soils Sediments 17, 1310–1320 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-015-1260-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-015-1260-x

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