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Trace Metals in Plant-Soil-Environment: Bioremediation for Food Safety and Sustainability

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Soil Conservation and Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 July 2023) | Viewed by 18708

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Dr. M. Iftikhar Hussain

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Plant Biology & Soil Science Department, Universidade de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
Interests: plant ecophysiology, environmental impact assessment, land degradation and marginal environmental study; screening, selection and genotypic evaluation in the plant–soil–environment nexus through agronomic tools and physiological perspective; environmental sustainability; non-conventional water resources; crop diversification; plant abiotic stress study; bio-herbicide potential of natural compounds
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Dear Colleagues,

Agricultural soil is a non-renewable natural resource that requires careful stewardship in order to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. However, industrial and agricultural activity is often detrimental to soil health and can distribute heavy metal(loid)s into the soil environment, with harmful effects on human and ecosystem health.

Essential elements such as selenium, silicon, manganese boron, cobalt, molybdenum, nickel, aluminium, copper, iodine, iron, and zinc are known as beneficial elements which support the growth of plants and play a vital role in different biological processes, chemical reactions, and enzyme functions. These are required by some plants in trace quantities but are toxic at higher concentrations. The biogeochemical imbalances and mining activities are among the major reasons for increased metalloid concentrations in the soils and water bodies. . In addition, irrigation with wastewater has been increasingly adopted as a routine agricultural operation in water-stressed regions, which is another major pathway brings pharmaceuticals and heavy metals into agricultural land. The contamination of agricultural lands with these contaminants has resulted in a plethora of negative impacts in food production, agroecosystem services, and human health. Hazardous metalloids tend to affect the growth, metabolism, development, and overall productivity of plants. The safety of crops may be threatened due to their bioaccumulation of toxic elements within the edible fraction. As, Cr, Cd, Pb, and Hg are elements that raise alarm, with potential for causing severe toxicity and contamination; these are harmful for humans (and animals) in daily consumption.

This Special Issue welcomes the submission of original studies and reviews on all aspects of the bioaccumulation of metals with proven or potential toxicity in different crops. Original analytical methods will also be considered, when applied in a real-life context. We kindly ask you to note that the manuscript submission deadline is December 30, 2022.

Research considered in this Special Issue includes regular papers, reviews, and short communications. The subjects covered by this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) bioaccumulation phenomena of toxic and/or potentially toxic elements in plants; (ii) studies regarding the translocation of toxic and/or potentially toxic elements in the soil–plant system; (iii) techniques for modifying elemental bioaccumulation in crops; (iv) speciation studies; (v) assessment, validation, and application of original analytical methods to real samples for the determination of element(s) in crops; (vi) methods of fortification of trace elements in crops; (vii) risk assessment associated with toxic elements in crops; (viii) influence of genotypes on elemental bioaccumulation processes; (ix) interactions between elements in the bioaccumulation phenomena of toxic species in crops.

Dr. M. Iftikhar Hussain
Guest Editor

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

heavy metals
ecological toxicity
pollution
health risk assessment
animals
effluents

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 948 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An In Vitro Study of the Effects of Temperature and pH on Lead Bioremoval Using Serratia marcescens

by Dafne Lecca-Caballero, Eyber Vega-Moreno, Luis Cabanillas-Chirinos, Karen Diaz Del Aguila, Walter Rojas-Villacorta, Waldo Salvatierra-Espinola, Renny Nazario Naveda, Segundo Rojas-Flores and Magaly De La Cruz-Noriega

Sustainability 2023, 15(19), 14048; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151914048 - 22 Sep 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1754

Abstract

Heavy metal contamination of water is a widespread problem in Peru and represents a potential threat to the ecosystem. Bacteria are an ecological alternative to treating these effluents. This research aims to determine the influence of temperature and pH on the lead (Pb) bioremoval in surface water using Serratia marcescens under laboratory conditions. The sample was collected from a stream located in Santiago de Chuco City (Peru). Treatments (T) were carried out by combining pH (5 and 7) and temperature (25, 30, and 35 °C). The bacterial inoculum (S. marcescens) was 3 × 10⁸ CFU/mL, which was constant in all treatments. The lead bioremoval evaluation was performed in an airlift bioreactor and the incubation time was 24 h. The total lead concentration was determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results show that treatment 6 (temperature: 35 °C, pH: 5, and inoculum: 3 × 10⁸ UFC/mL) showed a better result than the other treatments, with a removal value of 63.94%. Furthermore, the total lead concentration decreased from an initial concentration of 0.268 mg Pb/L to a final value of 0.0964 mg Pb/L. These results are still above the allowed water value (15 µg/L) according to Peruvian standards. On the other hand, temperature and pH influenced lead removal from surface water when S. marcescens was used after a short incubation period (24 h). Although an attempt was made to improve lead bioremoval by varying two parameters, temperature and pH, future research is still needed to investigate the effect of different inoculum concentrations, the use of microbial consortia, and a broader range of physicochemical parameters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trace Metals in Plant-Soil-Environment: Bioremediation for Food Safety and Sustainability)

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11 pages, 439 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Potential of Ornamental Trees to Remediate Trace Metal Contaminated Soils for Environmental Safety and Urban Green Space Development

by Shamim Umer, Zaheer Abbas, Irfan Aziz, Maria Hanif, Zainul Abideen, Simeen Mansoor, Neelofar Hamid, Mohammad Ajmal Ali and Fahad M. Al-Hemaid

Sustainability 2023, 15(11), 8963; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15118963 - 1 Jun 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1724

Abstract

Heavy metals are notoriously toxic pollutants which can potentially harm living beings and are serious health hazards. The aim of the present study was to assess the levels of cadmium (Cd) and nickel (Ni) throughout the year in the urban areas of the densely populated industrial city of Faisalabad in eight commonly raised ornamental tree species with phytoremediation potential. High levels of Cd and Ni were recorded in all study areas, with spatio-temporal heterogeneity. Heavy metal uptake varied among plant species with Cd and Ni in soil ranging between 6.78–8.57 mgkg⁻¹ and 46.31–55.85 mg kg⁻¹ respectively. Plant species accumulated 6.73–8.98 mg kg⁻¹ Cd and 26.42–52.50 mg kg⁻¹ Ni with Conocarpus erectus, Dalbergia sissoo and Bismarckia nobilis showing higher accumulation potential than others. Dalbergia sissoo accumulated the highest levels of Ni and was shown to a good bio-indicator for this metal. The highest accumulation of Cd was recorded in Conocarpus erectus (9 mg kg⁻¹), followed by Dalbergia sissoo (8.2 mg kg⁻¹) and Bismarckia nobilis (8.1 mg kg⁻¹) while the leaves of Azadirachta indica retained the lowest (6.3 mg kg⁻¹) Cd levels. The highest levels of metals were accumulated by all species during the summer season while the second highest were observed in the autumn season. The study revealed that ornamental species can help in minimizing heavy metal pollution as well as providing green space in urban settings for maintaining a clean and healthy environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trace Metals in Plant-Soil-Environment: Bioremediation for Food Safety and Sustainability)

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13 pages, 1217 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genotoxicity of Synthetic Food Colors on Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria in Agricultural Lands Irrigated with Wastewater of Corresponding Industries

by Arooba John, Muhammad Luqman, Sohaib Muhammad, Uzma Hanif, Andleeb Anwar Sardar, Shaukat Ali, Ali Hasnain, Matiba Tufail, Zafar Iqbal Khan, Muhammad Iftikhar Hussain, Binyameen, Muhammad Naveed Anjum, Amna Ejaz, Muhammad Shahzad Chaudhry, Hsi-Hsien Yang and Muhammad Umer Farooq Awan

Sustainability 2023, 15(4), 2897; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15042897 - 6 Feb 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2644

Abstract

Food colors are considered the most important component of foodstuff for enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the products. The rapid increase in population raised the demand for food materials, while wastewater from as-related processing industries is used for irrigation. This study was conducted to examine the genotoxicity of industrial wastewater on the plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). Three predominantly used synthetic food colors, including Azorubine E-122, Tartrazine E-102 and Allura Red AC E-129, were used during this project. Rhizobacteria were isolated from agricultural soils and treated with various concentrations of Azorubine E-122, Tartrazine E-102 and Allura red E-129 for a 24 and 48 h duration. DNA extraction and quantification were performed through a modified CTAB method, spectrophotometry and agarose gel electrophoresis. A comet assay was used to check DNA damage. According to the results, all the food colors had caused significant damage to DNA depending upon the concentration and exposure time. The extent of DNA damage caused by Azorubine E-122 was relatively greater compared with the other colors, so the fragmentation rate of 86% and 92% was obtained at 1.25% concentration for 24 and 48 h, respectively. The current results have revealed the devastation capacity of food colors by accelerating distortion risk to soil micro-flora, hence the fertility of the soil. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trace Metals in Plant-Soil-Environment: Bioremediation for Food Safety and Sustainability)

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13 pages, 2030 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancement of Wheat Growth by UV-Mutagenesis of Potential Chromium Tolerant Bacillus sp. Strain SR-2-1/1

by Muhammad Shahid, Muhammad Usman, Tanvir Shahzad, Iftikhar Ali, Muhammad Umair Hassan, Faisal Mahmood and Sameer H. Qari

Sustainability 2022, 14(22), 15341; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142215341 - 18 Nov 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1667

Abstract

UV mutagenesis has long been known to improve bacterial strains in their physiological capacity. In the current study, we used the UV mutagenesis approach to increase the PGPR characteristics of a pre-characterized metal-tolerant PGPR strain Bacillus sp. strain SR-2-1/1 (KY315919), with the objective of increasing the physiological outcome of its PGPR traits in vitro and post inoculation on wheat plants. After UV irradiation, the results implied a substantial in vitro increase in the phosphate solubilization and ammonia production of two selected mutant strains (M₁ and M₂) as compared to the wild-type strain SR-2-1/1; however, the ACC deaminase enzyme activity was completely lost in the mutant strains, which were originally present in the wild-type strains. However, the UV mutagenesis did not affect the taxonomy of these mutant strains. Moreover, the mutant strains M₁ and M₂ survived in the rhizosphere of wheat plants up to 30 days at an optimum (approximately 7–7.5 Log CFU/mL of rhizosphere soil) population density. The fresh and dry biomass, as well as root and shoot length, of wheat plants inoculated with one of the mutant strains M₂ were significantly higher than in the wheat plants inoculated with wild-type strain SR-2-1/1. The overall results imply that the resulted mutant M₂ was a physiologically competent PGPR strain, which could be tested in field experiments as an inoculum. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trace Metals in Plant-Soil-Environment: Bioremediation for Food Safety and Sustainability)

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17 pages, 2347 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chromium Poisoning in Buffaloes in the Vicinity of Contaminated Pastureland, Punjab, Pakistan

by Maria Ghazzal, Muhammad Iftikhar Hussain, Zafar Iqbal Khan, M. Habib ur Rahman, Abeer A. El-Habeeb and Hsi-Hsien Yang

Sustainability 2022, 14(22), 15095; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142215095 - 15 Nov 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1845

Abstract

This article focuses on the toxic element chromium (Cr) in wastewater, its incorporation into soil plant systems, and its relevant toxicity in the food chain as assessed by a health risk assessment from dietary intake. The Nili Ravi buffalo is an important cattle inhabiting Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan, and forage crops grown on soils contaminated with Cr might cause toxicity in the food chain by local inhabitants eating meat. The soil, forage and animal blood samples were collected from five different locations in Tehsil Sahiwal (Chak Dhool, Bagabalocha, Chandia, Dhool Bala and Kakrani) twice at six-month intervals. A total of 30 samples from each ecological zone were collected from the soil and forage crops (Zea mays, Sorghum bicolor, Trifolium alexandrinum). The samples from zone-V and zone-IV showed the maximum concentration of Cr because these areas receive highly contaminated water for irrigation. The Cr was greater than the permissible limits. Environmental indices for all samples ranged below 1. The bioaccumulation and pollution load of Cr in soil and forage crops due to wastewater irrigation can contaminate the whole food chain via the soil, forages and animals. The health risk index (HRI) and a high value of enrichment factor were found for Cr in some sites. The Cr concentration was higher during the summer season than winter. Fodder crops with different concentrations and an elevated level of Cr were observed in maize. Attention should be paid when wastewater is used for fodder crop irrigation and its potential risks to human health following dairy product (milk, meat) entry into the food chain. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trace Metals in Plant-Soil-Environment: Bioremediation for Food Safety and Sustainability)

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18 pages, 1467 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application of Algal Nanotechnology for Leather Wastewater Treatment and Heavy Metal Removal Efficiency

by Sheza Ayaz Khilji, Neelma Munir, Irfan Aziz, Bareera Anwar, Maria Hasnain, Ali Murad Jakhar, Zahoor A. Sajid, Zainul Abideen, Muhammad Iftikhar Hussain, Abeer A. El-Habeeb and Hsi-Hsien Yang

Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 13940; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142113940 - 26 Oct 2022

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3630

Abstract

Wastewater from tanneries may ruin agricultural fields by polluting them with trace metals. The synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) from algal sources and their application could help in decreasing hazardous materials, for environmental safety. The potential of zinc oxide nanoparticles made from Oedogonium sp. was evaluated for removal of heavy metals from leather industrial wastewater. Synthesized algal nanoparticles (0 (control), 0.1, 0.5, and 1 mg) were applied to treat wastewater by using different concentrations of leather industrial effluents (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 100%) for 15, 30, and 45 d. The wastewater collected was dark brown to black in color with very high pH (8.21), EC (23.08 μs/cm), and TDS, (11.54 mg/L), while the chloride content was 6750 mg/L. The values of biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) ranged between 420 mg/L and 1123 mg/L in the current study. Prior to the application of nanoparticles, Cr (310.1), Cd (210.5), and Pb (75.5 mg/L) contents were higher in the leather effluents. The removal efficiency of TDS, chlorides, Cr, Cd, and Pb was improved by 46.5%, 43.5%, 54%, 57.6%, and 59.3%, respectively, following treatment with 1 mg of nanoparticles after 45 d. Our results suggested that the green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles is a useful and ecofriendly biotechnological tool for treating tannery effluents, before they are discharged into water bodies, thus making the soil environment clean. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trace Metals in Plant-Soil-Environment: Bioremediation for Food Safety and Sustainability)

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14 pages, 407 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cadmium (Cd) and Copper (Cu) Exposure and Bioaccumulation Arrays in Farm Ruminants: Impact of Forage Ecotypes, Ecological Sites and Body Organs

by Muhammad Iftikhar Hussain, Majida Naeem, Zafar Iqbal Khan, Shahzad Akhtar, Muhammad Nadeem, Maha Abdallah Alnuwaiser, Kafeel Ahmad, Oscar Vicente and Hsi-Hsien Yang

Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 12595; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912595 - 3 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2124

Abstract

Copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd) metal distribution in soil–plant ecosystems and their public health risk impact on ruminants (cows, buffalo, and sheep) are explored in the present investigation. Five different forage crops were selected, and the foraging responses of three types of ruminants (cows, buffalo, and sheep) at three ecological sites were evaluated. The soil of these three ecological sites was metal polluted (due to wastewater irrigation) and was studied to evaluate the metal contamination and pollution load index. For the assessment of Cd and Cu, soil, vegetation, blood, hair, and feces samples were collected and analysed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. High consumption of fodder crops (Sorghum bicolor Kuntze, Sesbania bispinosa (Jacq.) W. Wight, Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., Suaeda fruticosa (L.) Forssk., and Tribulus terrestris L.) by cows and buffalo at site-III resulted in an increase in daily Cu and Cd intake. The pollution load index was higher at site-II and site-III, indicating a severe health risk scenario for local inhabitants. Cd and Cu were at their maximum levels in fodder crops. A significant increase in the concentrations of Cd and Cu was found in the blood, hair, and feces of cows and buffalo at site-III. Ecological indicators such as the bioaccumulation factor, the pollution load index, and the enrichment factor were found to be higher in buffalo than cows. The Cd level in forages was highest at the site-III Cd level and in the order of S. bispinosa > S. fruticosa > T. terresteris > C. dactylon > S. bicolor. Although these levels were lower than the permissible maximum limit, they were generally higher in the forage crops. Exposure of local inhabitants to the consumption of milk and meat from these cattle showed the serious health risks consequences. This situation can be properly managed by general monitoring of soil and vegetation pollution, avoiding metal contamination in the soil and food chain components, and using treated waste water and other alternate water sources for forage irrigation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trace Metals in Plant-Soil-Environment: Bioremediation for Food Safety and Sustainability)

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17 pages, 1564 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Potential of Organic Amendments for Heavy Metal Contamination in Soil–Coriander System: Environmental Fate and Associated Ecological Risk

by Muhammad Iftikhar Hussain, Zafar Iqbal Khan, Pervaiz Akhter, Fahad M. Al-Hemaid, Abdulrahman Al-Hashimi, Mohamed Soliman Elshikh, Kafeel Ahmad and Hsi-Hsien Yang

Sustainability 2022, 14(18), 11374; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811374 - 10 Sep 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2358

Abstract

Pollution by organic wastes and manures is an important problem in tropical and sub-tropical countries and novel solutions for their proper management and valorization are needed. Waste-derived organic manures may increase metal load in the soil–plant ecosystem and food chain, with potential risks to public health. The aim of this work was to evaluate the impact of three manures (poultry waste (PW), press mud (PM), and farmyard manure (FYM)) on heavy metals (HMs) (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, Fe, Mn) toxicity in a soil and coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) system and their environmental impact (bioaccumulation, pollution load) and the consequent risk to human health via consumption. Results demonstrated that HMs in coriander fluctuated from 0.40 to 0.43 for Cd, 1.84 to 3.52 for Co, 0.15 to 0.16 for Cr, 1.32 to 1.40 for Cu, 0.05 to 0.09 for Pb, 1.32 to 2.51 for Fe, 0.10 to 0.32 for Mn, and 2.01 to 8.70 mg/kg for Zn, respectively. Highest pollution load index value was 2.89 for Cd and Mn showed the lowest (0.005). Daily intake of metal was noticed to be higher for Zn (0.049 mg/kg/day) for PW and lower for Mn (0.0005) at FYM treatment. The health risk index value was <1 and in the range of 2.30–2.50 for Cd showing potential carcinogenicity. It was concluded that as the organic amendments have the widest application in vegetables, it should be prudent to avoid their contamination and mobilization in plant–soil ecosystems to protect public health perspectives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trace Metals in Plant-Soil-Environment: Bioremediation for Food Safety and Sustainability)

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