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Sustainable Phytoremediation of the Polluted Soil
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Sustainable Phytoremediation of the Polluted Soil

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Resources and Sustainable Utilization".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 April 2023) | Viewed by 13595

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Kamal H. Shaltout

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Guest Editor
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
Interests: wetland ecology; ecology of plant populations and commuities; biodiversity conservation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Ebrahem M. Eid

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Guest Editor
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh 33516, Egypt
Interests: wetland ecology; carbon sequestration; plant population ecology; ecological modelling; phytoremediation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Tarek M. Galal

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Cairo 11795, Egypt
Interests: phytoremediation; plant population dynamics; plant diversity; biodiversity and weed function of the agro-ecosystems; environmental impact assessment; weed-crop interactions; heavy metal uptake by crop plants and their associated health risks
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Heavy metal contamination is a common environmental problem worldwide and is a serious threat to wild, agricultural and aquatic ecosystems, as well as human health. Heavy metals are primarily released to water from a variety of sources such as mining, urban sewage, smelters, tanneries, textile industry and chemical industry. These metals are toxic, accumulative and non-biodegradable, thus they are potentially hazardous to natural and urban ecosystems, as well as to human life. Their removal from the soil and water usually requires technologies such as reverse-osmosis, ion-exchange, electrodialysis, adsorption, etc. Most of these treatments are quite expensive, energy intensive and metal specific.

Phytoremediation is a biological, cost-effective and eco-friendly clean-up methodology that uses plants and their associating micro-organisms to degrade, remove or remediate contaminants from soil and water and for the restoration of their properties. It is already considered as a green alternative solution to the problem of heavy metal pollution, with great possibility, since over 400 plant species have been specified as prospective phytoremediators. Phytoremediation can be achieved through different methods like phytoextraction, rhizofiltration, phytostabilization and phytotransformation or phytodegradation.

This Special Issue will cover the following themes: phytoremediation; eutrophication in aquatic ecosystems; water and sediment pollution; wetlands remediation; soil remediation; modeling of heavy metal uptake; and bioindicators. The goal of this Special Issue is to provide assessment, evaluation and solutions for the problems related to soil/sediment and water pollution.

Prof. Dr. Kamal H. Shaltout
Prof. Dr. Ebrahem M. Eid
Prof. Dr. Tarek M. Galal
Guest Editors

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • bioindicator
  • native plants
  • phytoremediation
  • trace elements
  • pollution
  • restoration and habilitation
  • bioaccumulation and translocation factors
  • macrophytes
  • green technology

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 1912 KiB  
Article
Variation in Plant Community Composition and Biomass to Macro and Micronutrients and Salinity across Egypt’s Five Major Coastal Lakes
by Amr E. Keshta, Kamal H. Shaltout, Andrew H. Baldwin, Ahmed Sharaf El-Din and Ebrahem M. Eid
Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6180; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106180 - 19 May 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2049
Abstract
To better assess the relationship between excess nutrient runoff and plant species diversity in the Egyptian northern coastal lakes, the relationships between aboveground biomass, species diversity, and both micro and macronutrient concentrations in sediment, water, and plant materials were investigated. A total of [...] Read more.
To better assess the relationship between excess nutrient runoff and plant species diversity in the Egyptian northern coastal lakes, the relationships between aboveground biomass, species diversity, and both micro and macronutrient concentrations in sediment, water, and plant materials were investigated. A total of 38 sampling sites were established for the five Egyptian northern lakes (8 for Bardawil, 10 for Manzala, 8 for Burullus, and 6 for each of Edku and Mariut). Sediment, water, and plant materials were collected and analyzed for both micro and macronutrients including nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), potassium (K), iron (Fe), boron (B), sodium (Na), and aluminum (Al). Based on the Sørensen similarity index, Burullus and Mariut lakes were very similar (0.70) in their vegetation composition, while Bardawil Lake had no similarity with the rest of the lakes. In sediment, Mariut Lake had the highest total P concentrations (1.3 g kg−1), while Bardawil Lake had the lowest (0.3 g kg−1). Bardawil, a hypersaline lake, had the highest concentrations for both Na and B (9.6 and 0.1 g kg−1, respectively). Among the deltaic lakes, Mariut Lake water bodies had the lowest plant species richness. The current study indicated that the excessive agricultural and industrial nutrient runoff had a greater impact on the nutrient distribution pattern and negatively impacted plant species diversity at the Egyptian coastal lakes. An integrated management plan, including establishing more pretreatment facilities for runoff and wastewater, should be implemented to reduce the nutrient loads from the main industrial and agricultural runoff sources. Moreover, periodic monitoring and assessment for nutrient runoff reaching the lakes are necessary to help reduce eutrophication levels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Phytoremediation of the Polluted Soil)
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13 pages, 1482 KiB  
Article
Influence of Clay Mineral Amendments Characteristics on Heavy Metals Uptake in Vetiver Grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides L. Roberty) and Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern)
by Beatrice Omonike Otunola, Makhosazana P. Aghoghovwia, Melusi Thwala, Alba Gómez-Arias, Rian Jordaan, Julio Castillo Hernandez and Olusola Oluwayemisi Ololade
Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 5856; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14105856 - 12 May 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2307
Abstract
Phytoremediation is limited when heavy metals reduce soil quality and, subsequently, inhibit plant growth. In this study, we evaluated the use of attapulgite and bentonite as amendments in soil contaminated with multiple metals, to improve the phytoremediation capacity of Vetiver grass and Indian [...] Read more.
Phytoremediation is limited when heavy metals reduce soil quality and, subsequently, inhibit plant growth. In this study, we evaluated the use of attapulgite and bentonite as amendments in soil contaminated with multiple metals, to improve the phytoremediation capacity of Vetiver grass and Indian mustard. A 21-day greenhouse study was undertaken, to investigate plant tolerance in heavy-metal-contaminated soil, as well as heavy-metal absorption in plant roots and shoots. The results showed a generally higher root-uptake rate for Cr, Cu, Co, Ni, and Zn in Vetiver grass. Overall, the highest absorption for Ni, Cr, Co, Cu, and Zn was 1.37, 2.79, 1.39, 2.48 and 3.51 mg/kg, respectively, in the roots of Vetiver grass. Clay minerals inhibited the translocation of some heavy metals. The addition of attapulgite improved the phytoremediation capacity of Vetiver for Ni, Cr, and Co, while bentonite improved Vetiver’s absorption of Cu and Zn. The translocation factor for Ni in one of the attapulgite treatments was 2, indicating that attapulgite improved the phytoextraction of Ni by Vetiver grass. Our results confirm that attapulgite at 2.5% (w/w) can successfully improve the phytostabilization of heavy metals by Vetiver grass. Indian mustard showed no significant metal uptake that could be detected by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), despite the addition of attapulgite and bentonite. This research contributes to the knowledge repository of suitable amendments that improve the phytoremediation properties of Vetiver grass. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Phytoremediation of the Polluted Soil)
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Graphical abstract

16 pages, 1223 KiB  
Article
Nutrient Remediation Efficiency of the Sedge Plant (Cyperus alopecuroides Rottb.) to Restore Eutrophic Freshwater Ecosystems
by Tarek M. Galal, Fatma A. Gharib, Hatim M. Al-Yasi, Khalid A. Al-Mutairi, Khalid H. Mansour and Ebrahem M. Eid
Sustainability 2022, 14(5), 2823; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14052823 - 28 Feb 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2114
Abstract
The current study investigated the nutrients removal efficiency of the sedge macrophyte Cyperus alopecuroides to treat water eutrophication, besides evaluating the recycling possibility of the harvested material. Samples of sediment, water, and plant tissues were taken seasonally from six polluted and three unpolluted [...] Read more.
The current study investigated the nutrients removal efficiency of the sedge macrophyte Cyperus alopecuroides to treat water eutrophication, besides evaluating the recycling possibility of the harvested material. Samples of sediment, water, and plant tissues were taken seasonally from six polluted and three unpolluted locations for this investigation. The growth properties of C. alopecuroides showed remarkable seasonal differences in plant density and biomass, with the maximum values (7.1 individual/m2 and 889.6 g/m2, respectively) obtained during summer and the minimum (4.1 individual/m2 and 547.2 g/m2, respectively) in winter. In polluted locations, the above-ground tissues had an efficiency to remove more contents of N and P (11.9 and 3.8 g/m2, respectively) than in unpolluted ones (7.1 and 3.4 g/m2, respectively). The high-nutrient standing stock of C. alopecuroides supports its potential use for nutrient removal from eutrophic wetlands. The tissues of C. alopecuroides had the maximum nutrients removal efficiency to remediate great amounts of Na, K, and N in summer, and Ca, P, and Mg in spring. Above- and below-ground parts of C. alopecuroides from unpolluted locations can be considered as a rough forage for beef cattle, dairy cattle, goats, and sheep. The present study indicated the potential of C. alopecuroides in restoring eutrophic freshwater ecosystems, and, thus, it can be used in similar habitats worldwide. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Phytoremediation of the Polluted Soil)
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13 pages, 408 KiB  
Article
Planned Application of Sewage Sludge Recirculates Nutrients to Agricultural Soil and Improves Growth of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) Plants
by Ebrahem M. Eid, Kamal H. Shaltout, Saad A. M. Alamri, Sulaiman A. Alrumman, Mostafa A. Taher, Ahmed F. El-Bebany, Mohamed Hashem, Tarek M. Galal, Yasser S. Mostafa, Mohamed T. Ahmed, Nasser Sewelam and Afaf A. Nessem
Sustainability 2022, 14(2), 740; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020740 - 10 Jan 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2076
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using sewage sludge (SS) biosolids as a low-cost soil fertilizer to improve soil characteristics and crop yields. Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) plants were grown in soil supplemented with different concentrations [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using sewage sludge (SS) biosolids as a low-cost soil fertilizer to improve soil characteristics and crop yields. Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) plants were grown in soil supplemented with different concentrations of SS (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 g/kg). The results showed that SS soil application led to improved soil quality with a 93% increase of organic matter (at SS dose of 10 g/kg), decreased pH (a reduction from 8.38 to 7.34), and enhanced macro- and micro- nutrient contents. The levels of all the investigated heavy metals (HMs; Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in the postharvest SS-amended soil were within the prescribed safe limits. The application of SS to soil considerably enhanced the growth parameters of okra plants. Total biomass increased 13-fold and absolute growth rate increased 10-fold compared to plants grown in nonamended (control) soils. Among the applied SS doses, the 10 g/kg SS dose led to the highest values of the measured growth parameters, compared to those of plants grown in control soils. The induced growth at 10 g/kg SS was accompanied by a substantial increase in metal content in roots, stems, leaves, and fruits; however, all levels remained within safe limits. Consequently, the data presented in this study suggest that SS could be used as a sustainable organic fertilizer, also serving as an ecofriendly method of SS recycling. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Phytoremediation of the Polluted Soil)
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18 pages, 2894 KiB  
Article
Prediction Models Founded on Soil Characteristics for the Estimated Uptake of Nine Metals by Okra Plant, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench., Cultivated in Agricultural Soils Modified with Varying Sewage Sludge Concentrations
by Ebrahem M. Eid, Kamal H. Shaltout, Saad A. M. Alamri, Sulaiman A. Alrumman, Nasser Sewelam, Mostafa A. Taher, Mohamed Hashem, Yasser S. Mostafa and Mohamed T. Ahmed
Sustainability 2021, 13(22), 12356; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212356 - 9 Nov 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1819
Abstract
Prediction models were developed to estimate the extent to which the metals Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn were taken up by the fruits, the leaves, the stems, and the roots of the okra plant, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench., [...] Read more.
Prediction models were developed to estimate the extent to which the metals Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn were taken up by the fruits, the leaves, the stems, and the roots of the okra plant, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench., grown under greenhouse conditions in soil modified with a spectrum of sewage sludge concentrations: 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 g/kg. All the metals under investigation, apart from Cd, were more concentrated in the A. esculentus roots than in any other organ. Overall, the sum of the metal concentration (mg/kg) within the varying plant tissues can be ranked in the following order: roots (13,795.5) > leaves (1252.7) > fruits (489.3) > stems (469.6). For five of the metals (i.e., Cd, Co, Fe, Mn, and Pb), the BCF was <1; for the remaining four metals, the BCF was >1, (i.e., Cr, 1.074; Cu, 1.347; Ni, 1.576; and Zn, 1.031). The metal BCFs were negatively correlated with the pH of the soil and positively correlated with soil OM content. The above-ground tissues exhibited a TF < 1 for all metals, apart from Cd with respect to the leaves (2.003) and the fruits (2.489), and with the exception of Mn in relation to the leaves (1.149). Further positive associations were demonstrated for the concentrations of all the metals in each examined plant tissue and the corresponding soil metal concentration. The tissue uptakes of the nine metals were negatively correlated with soil pH, but positively associated with the OM content in the soil. The generated models showed high performance accuracy; students’ t-tests indicated that any differences between the measured and forecasted concentrations of the nine metals within the four tissue types of A. esculentus failed to reach significance. It can, therefore, be surmised that the prediction models described in the current research form a feasible method with which to determine the safety and risk to human health when cultivating the tested species in soils modified with sewage sludge. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Phytoremediation of the Polluted Soil)
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20 pages, 8497 KiB  
Article
Hemarthria compressa—Aspergillus niger—Trichoderma pseudokoningii Mediated Trilateral Perspective for Bioremediation and Detoxification of Industrial Paper Sludge
by Sheza Ayaz Khilji, Muhammad Aqeel, Muhammad Faisal Maqsood, Noreen Khalid, Aasma Tufail, Zahoor Ahmad Sajid, Ameena A. Al-Surhanee, Mohamed Hashem, Saad Alamri, Khalid Awadh Al-Mutairi and Ali Noman
Sustainability 2021, 13(21), 12266; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132112266 - 6 Nov 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2247
Abstract
The present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of different fungal species on the metal uptake from paper sludge by Hemarthria compressa L. Paper sludge (PS) in various concentrations (0, 30% and 60%) were used with four treatments of two fungal [...] Read more.
The present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of different fungal species on the metal uptake from paper sludge by Hemarthria compressa L. Paper sludge (PS) in various concentrations (0, 30% and 60%) were used with four treatments of two fungal species (F0 = Control, F1 = Aspergillus niger, F2 = Trichoderma pseudokoningii, F3 = A. niger + T. pseudokoningii). Paper sludge as rooting medium steadily influenced growth and physio-biochemical attributes of H. compressa in F0. Results revealed discrete variations in growth attributes with different PS concentrations and each fungal treatment. The maximum damages in ionic homeostasis (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+) due to PS toxicity were evident in parallel with declined chlorophyll concentration. The highest growth, total chlorophyll and biomass of the plants were observed when PS was treated with combined fungal strains (F3). Translocation factor decreased with F3 that is indicative of changes in Cd, Pb, and Cu movement to shoot from root. The plants with combined fungal treatment also showed greater catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (POD) activity. Ions, such as Ca, Mg, and Na, also increased gradually with combined fungal treatment. The correlation matrix displayed a close association among diverse fungal and PS levels with multiple plant attributes. PCA-Biplot confirmed the outcome of correlational analyses among different characters of H. compressa. The combined fungal mediate the extraction of heavy metals from the paper sludge by H. compressa recommends the high accumulation of heavy metal (HM) and possible reutilization of metal free sludge as a fertilizer, for application in cultivated fields. Furthermore, the effects of fungal species on HM attenuation in PS are linear and can be used in different habitats. Advancement in such research work will also be helpful in understanding the mechanisms and enhancing the ability of other native microbes to remediate metals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Phytoremediation of the Polluted Soil)
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