Energetic Value of Elymus elongatus L. and Zea mays L. Grown on Soil Polluted with Ni 2+, Co 2+, Cd 2+, and Sensitivity of Rhizospheric Bacteria to Heavy Metals

Edyta Boros-Lajszner, Jadwiga Wyszkowska, Agata Borowik and Jan Kucharski
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Edyta Boros-Lajszner: Department of Soil Science and Microbiology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Plac Łódzki 3, 10-727 Olsztyn, Poland
Jadwiga Wyszkowska: Department of Soil Science and Microbiology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Plac Łódzki 3, 10-727 Olsztyn, Poland
Agata Borowik: Department of Soil Science and Microbiology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Plac Łódzki 3, 10-727 Olsztyn, Poland
Jan Kucharski: Department of Soil Science and Microbiology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Plac Łódzki 3, 10-727 Olsztyn, Poland

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 16, 1-22

Abstract: Plants, and microorganisms associated with them, offer an effective tool for removing pollutants, such as heavy metals, from the soil environment. The aim of this study was to determine changes caused by Ni 2+ , Co 2+ , and Cd 2+ in the genetic diversity of soil-populating bacteria and the effect these heavy metals on the heating value of elongated coach grass ( Elymus elongatus L.) and maize ( Zea mays L.). Microorganisms support plants in removing heavy metals from soil. These plants can then be used for energetic purposes. The study aim was accomplished by determining counts of microorganisms and their resistance (RS) to Ni 2+ , Co 2+ , Cd 2+ , their colony development index (CD), ecophysiological diversity index (EP), and diversity established with the next generation sequencing (NGS) method. Further analyses aimed to establish test plants resistance to pollution with heavy metals and their heating value. Organotrophic bacteria turned out to be the most resistant to Co 2+ , whereas actinobacteria—to Cd 2+ effects. At all taxonomic levels, the genetic diversity of bacteria was most adversely influenced by Cd 2+ in the soil sown with Zea mays L. Bacteria belonging to Arthrobacter , Rhodoplanes , Kaistobacter , Devosia , Phycicoccus , and Thermomonas genera showed high tolerance to soil pollution with Ni 2+ , Co 2+ , and Cd 2+ , hence they should be perceived as potential sources of microorganisms useful for bioaugmentation of soils polluted with these heavy metals. Ni 2+ , Co 2+ , and Cd 2+ had no effect on the heating value of Elymus elongatus L. and Zea mays L. The heating value of 1 kg of air-dry biomass of the tested plants was relatively high and ranged from 14.6 to 15.1 MJ. Elymus elongatus L. proved more useful in phytoremediation than Zea mays L.

Keywords: soil pollution; heavy metals; bacteria; energy crops (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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