Helena Moreira | Universidade Católica Portuguesa (original) (raw)
Papers by Helena Moreira
Geoderma, 2019
The contamination of the soil with heavy metals (e.g. Zn) is a serious and crosscutting issue wor... more The contamination of the soil with heavy metals (e.g. Zn) is a serious and crosscutting issue worldwide. Phytotechnologies can minimize the negative impact of this problem using plants and microorganisms in soil rehabilitation. However, the efficiency of proper plant-microbe combinations is usually assessed using spiked and/or sterilized soils, which do not mimic the conditions in situ, and therefore can lead to outcomes that will not be observed under field situations. This study aimed to quantify the effect of soil origin and sterilization on the performance of the two plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), Ralstonia eutropha 1C2 and Chryseobacterium humi ECP37, for promoting the growth and metal accumulation of maize plants. A two-experiment approach was applied: the PGPR were inoculated in maize plants growing in (i) sterilized soils spiked with Zn (0, 100, 500 and 1000 mg Zn kg −1); and in (ii) a field-contaminated soil, under sterilized and non-sterilized conditions (599 mg Zn kg −1). Biomass and Zn accumulation in the root and shoot, and Zn bioavailability in soils were determined. Additionally, lipid peroxidation, activity of antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were assessed in the shoots of plants grown in the field-contaminated soil, as well as the composition of the rhizospheric bacterial community. Zn in the soils negatively affected maize growth, and its effect was strongest in the field-contaminated soil. Overall, PGPR attenuated the negative effects of Zn by improving plant growth, although less pronounced in non-sterilized soils. Sterilization significantly reduced soil Zn availability and affected its' accumulation in plant tissues. Bioinoculants performance was also different in sterilized soil, i.e., bacteria had no effect in the accumulation of Zn but tended to increase the biomass of maize plants. Despite the higher Zn accumulation in shoot tissues, lipid peroxidation was lower whereas antioxidant enzymes were enhanced in non-sterilized soils, suggesting that plant antioxidant system functioned properly. PGPR tended to decrease the diversity of the rhizospheric community. This study highlights that while inoculation with PGPR is effective in increasing Zn bioavailability in soil, accumulation in the plant and maize growth in Zn-contaminated soils, the extent of their effect can be different depending on whether the soil is field-contaminated or metal spiked, and on whether is sterilized prior contaminated. Consequently, the effect of bacterial inoculants assessed exclusively in metal spiked soil and/or sterilized soil may be overestimated, and potentially not transferable to field conditions.
The present work investigates the potential of Rubus ulmifolius, indigenous to a metal contaminat... more The present work investigates the potential of Rubus ulmifolius, indigenous to a metal contaminated site-Esteiro de Estarreja-, for phytoremediation purposes. The site has a long history of metal contamination. The accumulation of Pb, As and Ni in different sectionsroots, stems, and leaves-of the plant was assessed, and compared to the levels of those metals in the soil and in the available fraction. Accordingly to the accumulation patterns and abilities of R. ulmifolius, the analysis of its possible application in soil phytoremediationeither phytoextraction or phytoestabilisation-was evaluated. Plant and soil sampling was made at four different spots in the bank where this species was predominant. Soil samples were analysed for water and organic matter content, pH, total phosphorous and nitrogen, and total and available Pb, As and Ni. Plants were separated in roots, stems and leaves and biomass and Pb, As and Ni contents were determined. The soil collected from the banks of the stream presented a range of pH from 6.33 to 7.14, a water content ranging from of 1.4 to 1.6%, and organic matter contents ranging from 7.9 to 10.1%. The nutrient content of the soils was variable. The distribution of metals in soils throughout the area was quite heterogeneous with the highest levels of As, Pb and Ni being 3078, 1400 and 135 mg kg-1 , respectively. Regression analyses of the levels of metals in the soils versus the available (EDTA extractable) fractions were performed and strong positive correlations were found between total concentration in the soil and the metal levels in the available fractions. The metal content in the sections of R. ulmifolius collected in the banks of the stream also varied among sites of collection: As levels (mg kg-1) ranged from 277 to 1721 in the roots, 30 to 110 in the stems, and 60 to 265 in the leaves; Pb concentrations (mg kg-1) ranged from 248 to 1178 in the roots, 35 to 133 in the stems, and 25 to 149 in the leaves; and Ni (mg kg-1) ranged from 48 to 151 in the roots (no Ni was found in the remaining plant tissues). Significant correlations were only found between the total levels of Pb and As in the soil and the levels in the roots of the plant; further correlations between total and available levels in the soil and metals in plant tissues were generally found as non significant.. Bioconcentration factors (BCFs) were determined for the different plant sections (root, stems and leaves), expressed as the ratio between the metal concentration in the plant section and in soil and higher BCF values were registered for the roots of R. ulmifolius-in some of these cases values higher than 1 were observed. R. ulmifolius established successfully on this metal polluted soil, with metals being retained in the belowground sections, as shown by the metal accumulation patterns and BCF values. Additionally, this species presents significant biomass production in the field, is well disseminated throughout the region and easy to propagate, characteristics that are desirable for a plant to be used in phytostabilisation approaches.
Soil contamination by heavy metals (HM) poses major environmental problems worldwide with serious... more Soil contamination by heavy metals (HM) poses major environmental problems worldwide with serious damages on ecosystems and public health. Phytoremediation may offer a low cost method for the remediation of these HM contaminated soils. The search for plants ...
Soil salinity is a serious problem causing loss of fertility, as plants facing salt stress suffer... more Soil salinity is a serious problem causing loss of fertility, as plants facing salt stress suffer alterations in physiology that adversely affects its growth. This work aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of combinations of microorganisms for the recovery of crop productivity in soils affected by different levels of salinity (0, 2.5 and 5 gNaCl.kg -1 ). The strategy relied on the culture in greenhouse conditions of a high value food and energetic crop (maize) inoculated with soil plant growth promoting microbiota – an arbuscular mychorrizal fungi (Rhizophagus irregularis), a rhizobacteria (Pseudomonas reactans) and a bacterial endophyte (Pantoea ananatis). Plant biomass was assessed at harvest and differences between treatments were analysed. As the work also aimed to relate the effects of bioinoculation to alterations in plant response to salt stress, further parameters were assessed. Elevated salt levels induce ionic stress, with consequent nutrient imbalance; therefore, levels of...
Maize is a fast-growing and high yield crop with both energy value and remediation potential. Pla... more Maize is a fast-growing and high yield crop with both energy value and remediation potential. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are a biological tool available to enhance plant establishment in degraded or depleted environments such as the case of saline soils or heavy-metal contaminated land. Although PGPR are able to produce metabolites such as siderophores, HCN and ammonia, or solubilize nutrients such as phosphate, these beneficial traits for the plant may be influenced by exposure to excessive levels of such contaminants. In this study, three PGPR (Pseudomonas fluorescens, Ralstonia eutropha and Cryseobacterium humi) were screened for those traits in the presence of different levels of Cd and Zn, and also to different salinization conditions. Their ability to influence maize germination and root and shoot elongation was also analyzed. Results showed that the level of exposure generally affected the ability of the tested strains to produce plant growth promoting substa...
Environmental science and pollution research international, Jan 17, 2015
The use of heavy metals (HM) contaminated soils to grow energy crops can diminish the negative im... more The use of heavy metals (HM) contaminated soils to grow energy crops can diminish the negative impact of HM in the environment improving land restoration. The effect of two PGPR (B1-Chryseobacterium humi ECP37(T) and B2-Pseudomonas reactans EDP28) and an AMF (F-Rhizophagus irregularis) on growth, Cd and Zn accumulation, and nutritional status of energy maize plants grown in a soil collected from an area adjacent to a Portuguese mine was assessed in a greenhouse experiment. Both bacterial strains, especially when co-inoculated with the AMF, acted as plant growth-promoting inoculants, increasing root and shoot biomass as well as shoot elongation. Cadmium was not detected in the maize tissues and a decrease in Zn accumulation was observed for all microbial treatments in aboveground and belowground tissues-with inoculation of maize with AMF and strain B2 leading to maximum reductions in Zn shoot and root accumulation of up to 48 and 43 %, respectively. Although microbial single inoculat...
Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 2011
Phytoremediation is a promising alternative to conventional soil clean-up methods; however, up to... more Phytoremediation is a promising alternative to conventional soil clean-up methods; however, up to date, there is still not enough information on plant species suitable for application in this field of science. Therefore, plant screening on contaminated sites can lead to the identification of further species of interest. In the present study, pedological and botanical characteristics of an industrialised area known for its metal contamination, in special with Zn-Esteiro de Estarreja, in Portugal-were examined in a 1-year screening. Twenty-seven species were found, with a higher occurrence and variability in the summer/spring season. Zinc levels in the tissues of the collected plant samples ranged from 34 mg kg −1 in shoots to 2,440 mg kg −1 in roots of different species. Species as Verbascum virgatum, Hypochoeris radicata, Phalaris arundinacea, Conyza bilbaoana, Paspalum urvillei and Aster squamatus have shown high Zn shoot accumulation and bioconcentration factors (BCF shoots > 1) and high metal translocation factors (TF>1). Others, namely Spergularia capillacea, excluded Zn from the shoot tissues and stored the metal at the root zone (BCF roots >1), behaving as tolerant plants. Plants were also screened for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi colonisation, and only few species showed mycorrhizal presence, namely C. bilbaoana, Hirschfeldia incana, Epilobium tetragonum, Conyza sumatrensis, Pteridium aquilinum, P. urvillei and A. squamatus. The present work showed important indigenous species that can cope with installed harsh conditions and with potential for utilisation in phytoremediation strategies, either through metal removal to aerial parts or through its immobilisation in the root zone.
Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 2010
Zea mays, one of the most important cereals worldwide, is a plant not only with food and energy v... more Zea mays, one of the most important cereals worldwide, is a plant not only with food and energy value, but also with phytoremediation potential. The use of plant growth promoting (PGP) rhizobacteria may constitute a biological alternative to increase crop yield and plant resistance to degraded environments. In search for PGP rhizobacteria strains, 6 bacterial isolates were isolated from a metal contaminated site, screened in vitro for their PGP characteristics and their effects on the growth of Z. mays were assessed. Isolates were identified as 3A10 T , ECP37 T , corresponding to Chryseobacterium palustre and Chryseobacterium humi, and 1ZP4, EC15, EC30 and 1C2, corresponding to strains within the genera Sphingobacterium, Bacillus, Achromobacter, and Ralstonia, respectively. All the bacterial isolates were shown to produce indole acetic acid, hydrogen cyanide and ammonia when tested in vitro for their plant growth promoting abilities, but only isolates 1C2, 1ZP4 and ECP37 T have shown siderophore production. Their further application in a greenhouse experiment using Z. mays indicated that plant traits such as root and shoot elongation and biomass production, and nutrient status, namely N and P levels, were influenced by the inoculation, with plants inoculated with 1C2 generally outperforming the other treatments. Two other bacterial isolates, 1ZP4 and ECP37 T also led to increased plant growth in the greenhouse. These 3 species, corresponding to strains within the genera Ralstonia (1C2), Sphingobacterium (1ZP4), and to a strain identified as C. humi (ECP37 T) can thus be potential agents to increase crop yield in maize plants.
Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2009
Frontiers in Environmental Science, 2021
The growing loss of soil functionality due to contamination by metal(loid)s, alone or in combinat... more The growing loss of soil functionality due to contamination by metal(loid)s, alone or in combination with organic pollutants, is a global environmental issue that entails major risks to ecosystems and human health. Consequently, the management and restructuring of large metal(loid)-polluted areas through sustainable nature-based solutions is currently a priority in research programs and legislation worldwide. Over the last few years, phytomanagement has emerged as a promising phytotechnology, focused on the use of plants and associated microorganisms, together with ad hoc site management practices, for an economically viable and ecologically sustainable recovery of contaminated sites. It promotes simultaneously the recovery of soil ecological functions and the decrease of pollutant linkages, while providing economic revenues, e.g. by producing non-food crops for biomass-processing technologies (biofuel and bioenergy sector, ecomaterials, biosourced-chemistry, etc.), thus contributin...
Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2010
Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2009
This work investigates the potential of Rubus ulmifolius, indigenous to a metal contaminated site... more This work investigates the potential of Rubus ulmifolius, indigenous to a metal contaminated site – Esteiro de Estarreja – for phytoremediation purposes. The site has a long history of metal contamination. The accumulation of lead (Pb), arsenic (As) and nickel (Ni) in different sections – roots, stems and leaves – of the plant was assessed and compared to the levels of those metals in the soil and in the available fraction. The distribution of metals throughout the area was quite heterogeneous, presenting levels of As, Pb and Ni of up to 3078, 1400 and 135 mg kg−1, respectively, and the metal content in the sections of R. ulmifolius collected in the banks of the stream varied among sites of collection. Levels of metals were higher in the plant roots: As levels (mg kg−1) ranged from 277 to 1721 in the roots, 30 to 110 in the stems, and 60 to 265 in the leaves; Pb concentrations (mg kg−1) ranged from 248 to 1178 in the roots, 35 to 133 in the stems, and 25 to 149 in the leaves; and Ni...
Geoderma, 2019
The contamination of the soil with heavy metals (e.g. Zn) is a serious and crosscutting issue wor... more The contamination of the soil with heavy metals (e.g. Zn) is a serious and crosscutting issue worldwide. Phytotechnologies can minimize the negative impact of this problem using plants and microorganisms in soil rehabilitation. However, the efficiency of proper plant-microbe combinations is usually assessed using spiked and/or sterilized soils, which do not mimic the conditions in situ, and therefore can lead to outcomes that will not be observed under field situations. This study aimed to quantify the effect of soil origin and sterilization on the performance of the two plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), Ralstonia eutropha 1C2 and Chryseobacterium humi ECP37, for promoting the growth and metal accumulation of maize plants. A two-experiment approach was applied: the PGPR were inoculated in maize plants growing in (i) sterilized soils spiked with Zn (0, 100, 500 and 1000 mg Zn kg −1); and in (ii) a field-contaminated soil, under sterilized and non-sterilized conditions (599 mg Zn kg −1). Biomass and Zn accumulation in the root and shoot, and Zn bioavailability in soils were determined. Additionally, lipid peroxidation, activity of antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were assessed in the shoots of plants grown in the field-contaminated soil, as well as the composition of the rhizospheric bacterial community. Zn in the soils negatively affected maize growth, and its effect was strongest in the field-contaminated soil. Overall, PGPR attenuated the negative effects of Zn by improving plant growth, although less pronounced in non-sterilized soils. Sterilization significantly reduced soil Zn availability and affected its' accumulation in plant tissues. Bioinoculants performance was also different in sterilized soil, i.e., bacteria had no effect in the accumulation of Zn but tended to increase the biomass of maize plants. Despite the higher Zn accumulation in shoot tissues, lipid peroxidation was lower whereas antioxidant enzymes were enhanced in non-sterilized soils, suggesting that plant antioxidant system functioned properly. PGPR tended to decrease the diversity of the rhizospheric community. This study highlights that while inoculation with PGPR is effective in increasing Zn bioavailability in soil, accumulation in the plant and maize growth in Zn-contaminated soils, the extent of their effect can be different depending on whether the soil is field-contaminated or metal spiked, and on whether is sterilized prior contaminated. Consequently, the effect of bacterial inoculants assessed exclusively in metal spiked soil and/or sterilized soil may be overestimated, and potentially not transferable to field conditions.
The present work investigates the potential of Rubus ulmifolius, indigenous to a metal contaminat... more The present work investigates the potential of Rubus ulmifolius, indigenous to a metal contaminated site-Esteiro de Estarreja-, for phytoremediation purposes. The site has a long history of metal contamination. The accumulation of Pb, As and Ni in different sectionsroots, stems, and leaves-of the plant was assessed, and compared to the levels of those metals in the soil and in the available fraction. Accordingly to the accumulation patterns and abilities of R. ulmifolius, the analysis of its possible application in soil phytoremediationeither phytoextraction or phytoestabilisation-was evaluated. Plant and soil sampling was made at four different spots in the bank where this species was predominant. Soil samples were analysed for water and organic matter content, pH, total phosphorous and nitrogen, and total and available Pb, As and Ni. Plants were separated in roots, stems and leaves and biomass and Pb, As and Ni contents were determined. The soil collected from the banks of the stream presented a range of pH from 6.33 to 7.14, a water content ranging from of 1.4 to 1.6%, and organic matter contents ranging from 7.9 to 10.1%. The nutrient content of the soils was variable. The distribution of metals in soils throughout the area was quite heterogeneous with the highest levels of As, Pb and Ni being 3078, 1400 and 135 mg kg-1 , respectively. Regression analyses of the levels of metals in the soils versus the available (EDTA extractable) fractions were performed and strong positive correlations were found between total concentration in the soil and the metal levels in the available fractions. The metal content in the sections of R. ulmifolius collected in the banks of the stream also varied among sites of collection: As levels (mg kg-1) ranged from 277 to 1721 in the roots, 30 to 110 in the stems, and 60 to 265 in the leaves; Pb concentrations (mg kg-1) ranged from 248 to 1178 in the roots, 35 to 133 in the stems, and 25 to 149 in the leaves; and Ni (mg kg-1) ranged from 48 to 151 in the roots (no Ni was found in the remaining plant tissues). Significant correlations were only found between the total levels of Pb and As in the soil and the levels in the roots of the plant; further correlations between total and available levels in the soil and metals in plant tissues were generally found as non significant.. Bioconcentration factors (BCFs) were determined for the different plant sections (root, stems and leaves), expressed as the ratio between the metal concentration in the plant section and in soil and higher BCF values were registered for the roots of R. ulmifolius-in some of these cases values higher than 1 were observed. R. ulmifolius established successfully on this metal polluted soil, with metals being retained in the belowground sections, as shown by the metal accumulation patterns and BCF values. Additionally, this species presents significant biomass production in the field, is well disseminated throughout the region and easy to propagate, characteristics that are desirable for a plant to be used in phytostabilisation approaches.
Soil contamination by heavy metals (HM) poses major environmental problems worldwide with serious... more Soil contamination by heavy metals (HM) poses major environmental problems worldwide with serious damages on ecosystems and public health. Phytoremediation may offer a low cost method for the remediation of these HM contaminated soils. The search for plants ...
Soil salinity is a serious problem causing loss of fertility, as plants facing salt stress suffer... more Soil salinity is a serious problem causing loss of fertility, as plants facing salt stress suffer alterations in physiology that adversely affects its growth. This work aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of combinations of microorganisms for the recovery of crop productivity in soils affected by different levels of salinity (0, 2.5 and 5 gNaCl.kg -1 ). The strategy relied on the culture in greenhouse conditions of a high value food and energetic crop (maize) inoculated with soil plant growth promoting microbiota – an arbuscular mychorrizal fungi (Rhizophagus irregularis), a rhizobacteria (Pseudomonas reactans) and a bacterial endophyte (Pantoea ananatis). Plant biomass was assessed at harvest and differences between treatments were analysed. As the work also aimed to relate the effects of bioinoculation to alterations in plant response to salt stress, further parameters were assessed. Elevated salt levels induce ionic stress, with consequent nutrient imbalance; therefore, levels of...
Maize is a fast-growing and high yield crop with both energy value and remediation potential. Pla... more Maize is a fast-growing and high yield crop with both energy value and remediation potential. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are a biological tool available to enhance plant establishment in degraded or depleted environments such as the case of saline soils or heavy-metal contaminated land. Although PGPR are able to produce metabolites such as siderophores, HCN and ammonia, or solubilize nutrients such as phosphate, these beneficial traits for the plant may be influenced by exposure to excessive levels of such contaminants. In this study, three PGPR (Pseudomonas fluorescens, Ralstonia eutropha and Cryseobacterium humi) were screened for those traits in the presence of different levels of Cd and Zn, and also to different salinization conditions. Their ability to influence maize germination and root and shoot elongation was also analyzed. Results showed that the level of exposure generally affected the ability of the tested strains to produce plant growth promoting substa...
Environmental science and pollution research international, Jan 17, 2015
The use of heavy metals (HM) contaminated soils to grow energy crops can diminish the negative im... more The use of heavy metals (HM) contaminated soils to grow energy crops can diminish the negative impact of HM in the environment improving land restoration. The effect of two PGPR (B1-Chryseobacterium humi ECP37(T) and B2-Pseudomonas reactans EDP28) and an AMF (F-Rhizophagus irregularis) on growth, Cd and Zn accumulation, and nutritional status of energy maize plants grown in a soil collected from an area adjacent to a Portuguese mine was assessed in a greenhouse experiment. Both bacterial strains, especially when co-inoculated with the AMF, acted as plant growth-promoting inoculants, increasing root and shoot biomass as well as shoot elongation. Cadmium was not detected in the maize tissues and a decrease in Zn accumulation was observed for all microbial treatments in aboveground and belowground tissues-with inoculation of maize with AMF and strain B2 leading to maximum reductions in Zn shoot and root accumulation of up to 48 and 43 %, respectively. Although microbial single inoculat...
Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 2011
Phytoremediation is a promising alternative to conventional soil clean-up methods; however, up to... more Phytoremediation is a promising alternative to conventional soil clean-up methods; however, up to date, there is still not enough information on plant species suitable for application in this field of science. Therefore, plant screening on contaminated sites can lead to the identification of further species of interest. In the present study, pedological and botanical characteristics of an industrialised area known for its metal contamination, in special with Zn-Esteiro de Estarreja, in Portugal-were examined in a 1-year screening. Twenty-seven species were found, with a higher occurrence and variability in the summer/spring season. Zinc levels in the tissues of the collected plant samples ranged from 34 mg kg −1 in shoots to 2,440 mg kg −1 in roots of different species. Species as Verbascum virgatum, Hypochoeris radicata, Phalaris arundinacea, Conyza bilbaoana, Paspalum urvillei and Aster squamatus have shown high Zn shoot accumulation and bioconcentration factors (BCF shoots > 1) and high metal translocation factors (TF>1). Others, namely Spergularia capillacea, excluded Zn from the shoot tissues and stored the metal at the root zone (BCF roots >1), behaving as tolerant plants. Plants were also screened for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi colonisation, and only few species showed mycorrhizal presence, namely C. bilbaoana, Hirschfeldia incana, Epilobium tetragonum, Conyza sumatrensis, Pteridium aquilinum, P. urvillei and A. squamatus. The present work showed important indigenous species that can cope with installed harsh conditions and with potential for utilisation in phytoremediation strategies, either through metal removal to aerial parts or through its immobilisation in the root zone.
Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 2010
Zea mays, one of the most important cereals worldwide, is a plant not only with food and energy v... more Zea mays, one of the most important cereals worldwide, is a plant not only with food and energy value, but also with phytoremediation potential. The use of plant growth promoting (PGP) rhizobacteria may constitute a biological alternative to increase crop yield and plant resistance to degraded environments. In search for PGP rhizobacteria strains, 6 bacterial isolates were isolated from a metal contaminated site, screened in vitro for their PGP characteristics and their effects on the growth of Z. mays were assessed. Isolates were identified as 3A10 T , ECP37 T , corresponding to Chryseobacterium palustre and Chryseobacterium humi, and 1ZP4, EC15, EC30 and 1C2, corresponding to strains within the genera Sphingobacterium, Bacillus, Achromobacter, and Ralstonia, respectively. All the bacterial isolates were shown to produce indole acetic acid, hydrogen cyanide and ammonia when tested in vitro for their plant growth promoting abilities, but only isolates 1C2, 1ZP4 and ECP37 T have shown siderophore production. Their further application in a greenhouse experiment using Z. mays indicated that plant traits such as root and shoot elongation and biomass production, and nutrient status, namely N and P levels, were influenced by the inoculation, with plants inoculated with 1C2 generally outperforming the other treatments. Two other bacterial isolates, 1ZP4 and ECP37 T also led to increased plant growth in the greenhouse. These 3 species, corresponding to strains within the genera Ralstonia (1C2), Sphingobacterium (1ZP4), and to a strain identified as C. humi (ECP37 T) can thus be potential agents to increase crop yield in maize plants.
Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2009
Frontiers in Environmental Science, 2021
The growing loss of soil functionality due to contamination by metal(loid)s, alone or in combinat... more The growing loss of soil functionality due to contamination by metal(loid)s, alone or in combination with organic pollutants, is a global environmental issue that entails major risks to ecosystems and human health. Consequently, the management and restructuring of large metal(loid)-polluted areas through sustainable nature-based solutions is currently a priority in research programs and legislation worldwide. Over the last few years, phytomanagement has emerged as a promising phytotechnology, focused on the use of plants and associated microorganisms, together with ad hoc site management practices, for an economically viable and ecologically sustainable recovery of contaminated sites. It promotes simultaneously the recovery of soil ecological functions and the decrease of pollutant linkages, while providing economic revenues, e.g. by producing non-food crops for biomass-processing technologies (biofuel and bioenergy sector, ecomaterials, biosourced-chemistry, etc.), thus contributin...
Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2010
Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2009
This work investigates the potential of Rubus ulmifolius, indigenous to a metal contaminated site... more This work investigates the potential of Rubus ulmifolius, indigenous to a metal contaminated site – Esteiro de Estarreja – for phytoremediation purposes. The site has a long history of metal contamination. The accumulation of lead (Pb), arsenic (As) and nickel (Ni) in different sections – roots, stems and leaves – of the plant was assessed and compared to the levels of those metals in the soil and in the available fraction. The distribution of metals throughout the area was quite heterogeneous, presenting levels of As, Pb and Ni of up to 3078, 1400 and 135 mg kg−1, respectively, and the metal content in the sections of R. ulmifolius collected in the banks of the stream varied among sites of collection. Levels of metals were higher in the plant roots: As levels (mg kg−1) ranged from 277 to 1721 in the roots, 30 to 110 in the stems, and 60 to 265 in the leaves; Pb concentrations (mg kg−1) ranged from 248 to 1178 in the roots, 35 to 133 in the stems, and 25 to 149 in the leaves; and Ni...