Studies on the Accumulation, Translocation, and Enrichment Capacity of Soils and the Plant Species Phragmites Australis (Common Reed) with Heavy Metals

Dana Chitimus, Valentin Nedeff, Emilian Mosnegutu (), Narcis Barsan, Oana Irimia and Florin Nedeff ()
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Dana Chitimus: Faculty of Engineering, “Vasile Alecsandri” University of Bacau, 600115 Bacau, Romania
Valentin Nedeff: Faculty of Engineering, “Vasile Alecsandri” University of Bacau, 600115 Bacau, Romania
Emilian Mosnegutu: Faculty of Engineering, “Vasile Alecsandri” University of Bacau, 600115 Bacau, Romania
Narcis Barsan: Faculty of Engineering, “Vasile Alecsandri” University of Bacau, 600115 Bacau, Romania
Oana Irimia: Faculty of Engineering, “Vasile Alecsandri” University of Bacau, 600115 Bacau, Romania
Florin Nedeff: Faculty of Engineering, “Vasile Alecsandri” University of Bacau, 600115 Bacau, Romania

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 11, 1-15

Abstract: In the present study, heavy metal concentrations (Cu, Zn, Pb, As) from former industrial areas were analyzed in soil and the plant species Phragmites Australis (common reed), a plant species found in shallow river banks. The objectives of the study were to determine the accumulation, translocation, and enrichment capacity of soils and plants (root, stem, leaf, and flower) with heavy metals, and to evaluate the potential of the plant species Phragmites Australis (common reed) in the phytoremediation of heavy-metal-polluted soils. The sediments and plants investigated were particularly rich in heavy metals such as Cu, Zn, Pb, and As, and Pb and Zn concentrations were determined to be of phytotoxic level. The highest transfer coefficient of heavy metals from the soil to the root of the plant species Phragmites Australis (common reed) was for the metals Cu and Zn. The transfer of heavy metals from the root of the plant species Phragmites Australis (common reed) to the aerial part of the plant was lowest for Cu. A very low enrichment factor value was recorded for the metal As. The mobility of heavy metals was generally higher from the sediment to the plant roots, with the order of the average transfer coefficient values being Cu > Zn > Pb > As for all three areas analyzed. The translocation of heavy metals from the root to the upper aerial part of the plant was in the form of As > Pb > Zn > Cu in the plant species Phragmites australis (common reed). According to the average values obtained for the three coefficients, the accumulation, translocation, and enrichment capacity of heavy metals in soil and the plant species Phragmites Australis (common reed), it can be stated that the plant species Phragmites Australis (common reed) is very suitable for use in the process of soil remediation by phytoremediation.

Keywords: heavy metals pollution; plant; transfer mechanism; root; steam; leaves; flower (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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