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Phytotoxicity of Heavy Metals in Contaminated Soils

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A special issue of Toxics (ISSN 2305-6304). This special issue belongs to the section "Metals and Radioactive Substances".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2023) | Viewed by 13973

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ana Romero Freire

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Guest Editor

Department Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
Interests: ecotoxicology; remediation; bioassays; soil; metal pollution
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Dr. Manuel Sierra Aragón

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Co-Guest Editor

Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
Interests: remediation; technosols; metal pollution; soil; phytotoxocity

Dr. Hao Qiu

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Co-Guest Editor

School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
Interests: sustainable remediation; green technology; trace element; toxicity; model
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Dr. Erkai He

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Co-Guest Editor

School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
Interests: heavy metal; soil remediation; effect assessment; immobilization; bioavailability
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The presence of inorganic pollutants in soils (e.g., heavy metals) is one of the most serious environmental problems around the world. Heavy metals can easily be accumulated in soils, altering soil ecosystem functions and posing a danger to the soil environment and human health. Within the framework of circular bio-economy, several strategies for the sustainable exploitation of agricultural residues and industrial byproducts are used for the control and decontamination of wide regions affected by metal accumulation. After the use of different remediation techniques, the control of metal toxicity can be easily assessed by the determination of phytotoxicity for native or introduced plants. The existence of heavy metal phytotoxicity in overexploited areas is also a serious problem limiting crop production in soils.

This Special Issue aims to recruit recent research studies on the remediation and restoration techniques in heavy-metal-polluted soils and the determination of potential toxic effects from phytotoxicity observations. The expected contributions could also cover the studies of phytotoxic effects in agricultural crops by presence of specific metals derived from the use of pesticides and/or fertilizers. Authors are invited to submit original research papers and reviews that deal with topics including, but not limited to:

- Amendments and management of agricultural soils to control the phytotoxicity and bioaccumulation of metals in crops;

- Species resistant to metal toxicity and their possible use in phytoremediation;

- Application of omics-based tools in the risk assessment of metals and metal-based nanoparticles;

- Development of predictive models for quantifying metal bioavailability and phytotoxicity;

- Metal mixture interactions at the toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic phases in soil–plant systems;

- Application of technosols for the remediation of contaminated soils and their effect on the vegetation cover;

- Development of soil remediation strategies on a regional or site-specific basis.

We hope you find this hot topic to be of interest, and look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Ana Romero Freire
Dr. Manuel Sierra Aragón
Dr. Hao Qiu
Dr. Erkai He
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Toxics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 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

soil
pollution
phytotoxicity
remediation
heavy metals
omics

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research

3 pages, 217 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Editorial for the Special Issue “Phytotoxicity of Heavy Metals in Contaminated Soils”

by Ana Romero-Freire, Manuel Sierra-Aragón, Hao Qiu and Erkai He

Toxics 2023, 11(6), 536; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11060536 - 16 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1500

Abstract

Soil is an essential natural resource because of the ecosystem services it carries out in the terrestrial ecosystem: the provision of food, fibre and fuel; habitats for organisms; nutrient cycling; climate regulation and carbon sequestration; water purification and soil contaminant reductions; and others [...] Read more.

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytotoxicity of Heavy Metals in Contaminated Soils)

Research

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16 pages, 1513 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Ecotoxicological Assessment of Polluted Soils One Year after the Application of Different Soil Remediation Techniques

by Mario Paniagua-López, Antonio Aguilar-Garrido, José Contero-Hurtado, Inmaculada García-Romera, Manuel Sierra-Aragón and Ana Romero-Freire

Toxics 2023, 11(4), 298; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11040298 - 24 Mar 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1976

Abstract

The present work evaluated the influence of eight different soil remediation techniques, based on the use of residual materials (gypsum, marble, vermicompost) on the reduction in metal(loid)s toxicity (Cu, Zn, As, Pb and Cd) in a polluted natural area. Selected remediation treatments were applied in a field exposed to real conditions and they were evaluated one year after the application. More specifically, five ecotoxicological tests were carried out using different organisms on either the solid or the aqueous (leachate) fraction of the amended soils. Likewise, the main soil properties and the total, water-soluble and bioavailable metal fractions were determined to evaluate their influence on soil toxicity. According to the toxicity bioassays performed, the response of organisms to the treatments differed depending on whether the solid or the aqueous fraction was used. Our results highlighted that the use of a single bioassay may not be sufficient as an indicator of toxicity pathways to select soil remediation methods, so that the joint determination of metal availability and ecotoxicological response will be determinant for the correct establishment of any remediation technique carried out under natural conditions. Our results indicated that, of the different treatments used, the best technique for the remediation of metal(loid)s toxicity was the addition of marble sludge with vermicompost. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytotoxicity of Heavy Metals in Contaminated Soils)

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19 pages, 4517 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Status of Ecosystem Services in Abandoned Mining Areas in the Iberian Peninsula: Management Proposal

by María González-Morales, Mª Ángeles Rodríguez-González and Luis Fernández-Pozo

Toxics 2023, 11(3), 275; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11030275 - 17 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1469

Abstract

An abandoned sphalerite mining area in the southwest (SW) of the Iberian Peninsula was studied to evaluate the impact that the presence of metal(loid)s has on soil and ecosystem health. Five zones were delimited: sludge, dump, scrubland, riparian zone, and dehesa. Critical total levels of lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), thallium (Tl), and chromium (Cr), well above the limit indicative of toxicity problems, were found in the areas close to the sources of contamination. Pb-Zn concentrations were very high in the riparian zone, reaching values of 5875 mg/kg Pb and 4570 mg/kg Zn. The whole area is classifiable as extremely contaminated with Tl, with concentrations above 370 mg/kg in the scrubland. Cr accumulation mainly occurred in areas away from the dump, with levels up to 240 mg/kg in the dehesa. In the study area, several plants were found growing luxuriantly despite the contamination. The measured metal(loid)s content is the cause of a significant decrease in ecosystem services, resulting in unsafe soils for food and water production, so the implementation of a decontamination program is advisable. The plant species Retama sphaerocarpa, present in the sludge, scrubland, riparian zone, and dehesa, is postulated as suitable for use in phytoremediation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytotoxicity of Heavy Metals in Contaminated Soils)

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13 pages, 1083 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modeling DNA Methylation Profiles and Epigenetic Analysis of Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) Seedlings Exposed to Copper Heavy Metal

by Ekrem Bölükbaşı and Mehmet Karakaş

Toxics 2023, 11(3), 255; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11030255 - 9 Mar 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1919

Abstract

Heavy metals are chemical elements with high density that can be toxic or poisonous even at low concentrations. They are widely distributed in the environment due to industrial activities, mining, pesticide use, automotive emissions and domestic wastes. This study aimed to investigate the toxic effects of copper (Cu) heavy metal on safflower plants in terms of genetic and epigenetic parameters. Safflower seeds were exposed to different concentrations of Cu heavy metal solution (20, 40, 80, 160, 320, 640, 1280 mg L⁻¹) for three weeks, and changes in the genomic template stability (GTS) and methylation pattern in the root tissues were analyzed using PCR and coupled restriction enzyme digestion-random amplification (CRED-RA) techniques. The results indicated that high doses of Cu have genotoxic effects on the genome of safflower plants. Epigenetic analysis revealed four different methylation patterns, with the highest total methylation rate of 95.40% observed at a 20 mg L⁻¹ concentration, and the lowest rate of 92.30% observed at 160 mg L⁻¹. Additionally, the maximum percentage of non-methylation was detected at 80 mg L⁻¹. These results suggest that changes in the methylation patterns can serve as an important mechanism of protection against Cu toxicity. Furthermore, safflower can be used as a biomarker to determine the pollution in soils contaminated with Cu heavy metal. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytotoxicity of Heavy Metals in Contaminated Soils)

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14 pages, 3531 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influencing Factors of Bidens pilosa L. Hyperaccumulating Cadmium Explored by the Real-Time Uptake of Cd²⁺ Influx around Root Apexes under Different Exogenous Nutrient Ion Levels

by Siqi Wang, Huiping Dai, Dandan Ji, Shuang Cui, Chengzhi Jiang, Lidia Skuza, Lianzhen Li, Dariusz Grzebelus and Shuhe Wei

Toxics 2023, 11(3), 227; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11030227 - 27 Feb 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1462

Abstract

Though Bidens pilosa L. has been confirmed to be a potential Cd hyperaccumulator, the accumulation mechanism is not yet clear. The dynamic and real-time uptake of Cd²⁺ influx by B. pilosa root apexes was determined using non-invasive micro-test technology (NMT), which partly explored the influencing factors of the Cd hyperaccumulation mechanism under the conditions of different exogenous nutrient ions. The results indicated that Cd²⁺ influxes at 300 μm around the root tips decreased under Cd treatments with 16 mM Ca²⁺, 8 mM Mg²⁺, 0.5 mM Fe²⁺, 8 mM SO₄²⁻ or 18 mM K⁺ compared to single Cd treatments. The Cd treatments with a high concentration of nutrient ions showed an antagonistic effect on Cd²⁺ uptake. However, Cd treatments with 1 mM Ca²⁺, 0.5 mM Mg²⁺, 0.5 mM SO₄²⁻ or 2 mM K⁺ had no effect on the Cd²⁺ influxes as compared with single Cd treatments. It is worth noting that the Cd treatment with 0.05 mM Fe²⁺ markedly increased Cd²⁺ influxes. The addition of 0.05 mM Fe²⁺ exhibited a synergistic effect on Cd uptake, which could be low concentration Fe²⁺ rarely involved in blocking Cd²⁺ influx and often forming an oxide membrane on the root surface to help the Cd uptake by B. pilosa. The results also showed that Cd treatments with high concentration of nutrient ions significantly increased the concentrations of chlorophyll and carotenoid in leaves and the root vigor of B. pilosa relative to single Cd treatments. Our research provides novel perspectives with respect to Cd uptake dynamic characteristics by B. pilosa roots under different exogenous nutrient ion levels, and shows that the addition of 0.05 mM Fe²⁺ could promote the phytoremediation efficiency for B. pilosa. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytotoxicity of Heavy Metals in Contaminated Soils)

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14 pages, 2267 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multiple Site Dissimilarities of Herbaceous Species Due to Coal Fly Ash Dumping Based Soil Heavy Metal Toxication

by Deepak Kumar Singh, Anushka Singh, Amel Gacem, Shruti Kashyap, Virendra Kumar Yadav, Krishna Kumar Yadav, Hany S. Hussein, Neeraj Kumar Shukla, Amnah Mohammed Alsuhaibani, Magda H. Abdellattif, Chaigoo Lee, Wonjae Lee, Timsi Modi and Byong-Hun Jeon

Toxics 2023, 11(2), 90; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11020090 - 18 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2172

Abstract

The present study analyzes the determinants and patterns of the regional, local, and differential plant diversity of two different sites with similar climatic but varied edaphic factors. This research was undertaken to study the plant diversity and population structure as a consequence of variation in the soil quality between two biotopes: Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya in Koni (site-I) and National Thermal Power Corporation in Sipat (site-II). The soil of site-I was found to be fertile and showed rich vegetation. On the other hand, the soil of site II was found to be contaminated with heavy metals, which impacts the flora of the region. The ecology of both sites was studied, and their quantitative and qualitative aspects were compared and contrasted. The abundance, density, and richness of the plants in site II were fairly lower than in site-I, which was confirmed by utilizing Simpson’s and Shannon’s diversity indices. Many of the species collected from site II were heavy metal accumulators and could also serve as indicators of heavy metal toxicity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytotoxicity of Heavy Metals in Contaminated Soils)

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19 pages, 2039 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Pinus halepensis in Contaminated Mining Sites: Study of the Transfer of Metals in the Plant–Soil System Using the BCR Procedure

by Pegah Kharazian, Emilia Fernández-Ondoño, María Noelia Jiménez, Manuel Sierra Aragón, Antonio Aguirre-Arcos, Gianluigi Bacchetta, Giovanna Cappai and Giovanni De Giudici

Toxics 2022, 10(12), 728; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120728 - 26 Nov 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2390

Abstract

The study aimed at evaluating the geochemical fractions of Zn, Pb, Cd and their bioavailability in soil in-depth and around the root of Pinus halepensis grown on heavily contaminated mine tailing in south-western Sardinia, Italy. The contaminated substrates were partly investigated in a previous study and are composed of pyrite, dolomite, calcite, quartz, gypsum, barite, iron-sulfate and iron-oxide. The geochemical fractions and bioavailability of Zn, Pb and Cd were measured through the BCR extractions method. Cadmium in the superficial contaminated substrates was mainly found in the exchangeable BCR fraction. Zinc and lead were often found in the residual BCR fraction. PCA confirmed that the uppermost alkaline-calcareous layers of mine waste were different with respect to the deeper acidic layers. We demonstrated that Pb and Zn were less present in the exchangeable form around the roots of P. halepensis and in soil depth. This can be due to uptake or other beneficial effect of rhizospheres interaction processes. Further studies will shed light to confirm if P. halepensis is a good candidate to apply phytostabilization in mine tailing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytotoxicity of Heavy Metals in Contaminated Soils)

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