Remediation of Pb-, Zn-, Cu-, and Cd-Contaminated Soil in a Lead–Zinc Mining Area by Co-Cropping Ilex cornuta and Epipremnum aureum with Illite Application

Qi Li, Yanxin Tang, Dubin Dong, Xili Wang, Xuqiao Wu, Saima Gul, Yaqian Li, Xiaocui Xie, Dan Liu () and Weijie Xu
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Qi Li: State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Key Laboratory of Soil Contamination Bioremediation of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
Yanxin Tang: State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Key Laboratory of Soil Contamination Bioremediation of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
Dubin Dong: College of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
Xili Wang: Zhejiang Economic & Information Center, Hangzhou 310006, China
Xuqiao Wu: State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Key Laboratory of Soil Contamination Bioremediation of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
Saima Gul: Department of Chemistry, Islamia College University Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, Pakistan
Yaqian Li: People’s Government of Jiaxing, Jiaxing 323500, China
Xiaocui Xie: State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Key Laboratory of Soil Contamination Bioremediation of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
Dan Liu: State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Key Laboratory of Soil Contamination Bioremediation of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
Weijie Xu: State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Key Laboratory of Soil Contamination Bioremediation of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China

Agriculture, 2024, vol. 14, issue 6, 1-14

Abstract: Phytoremediation is considered an effective strategy for remediation of heavy-metal-contaminated soil in mining areas. However, single-species plants cannot reach the highest potential for uptake of heavy metals due to inhibition of their growth by high concentrations of heavy metals in the soil. Therefore, this study has explored the effects of illite application and two plant species’ co-cropping on soil quality, plant growth, and heavy metal transformation in a soil–plant system. The results reveal that the addition of 1% (mass fraction) of illite significantly enhances soil pH. The co-cropping of Ilex cornuta and Epipremnum aureum is beneficial for improving the organic matter content of the soil. The contents of EDTA-extractable Pb, Zn, and Cu were significantly reduced by 29.8–32.5%, 1.85–5.72%, and 30.0–32.9%, respectively, compared to the control. The co-cropping of Ilex cornuta and Epipremnum aureum promoted enrichment effects of Epipremnum aureum on Pb and Ilex cornuta on Cd ( p < 0.05). The co-cropping pattern lowered the biomass of Ilex cornuta and Epipremnum aureum ; however, co-cropping of Ilex cornuta and Epipremnum aureum promoted the elimination of Pb, Zn, Cu, and Cd from the soil at 13.0–75.8%, 11.1–38.2%, 8.39–88.4%, and 27.8–72.5%, respectively. It is concluded that illite application combined with co-cropping of Ilex cornuta and Epipremnum aureum is highly effective for the elimination of Pb, Zn, Cu, and Cd from contaminated soil. This study provides a theoretical basis and pathway for the restoration of heavy-metal-contaminated soil in mining with the application of bentonite combined with phytoremediation.

Keywords: heavy metal; clay minerals; Ilex cornuta; Epipremnum aureum; Cd elimination (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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