Potential phytoextraction and phytostabilization of perennial peanut on copper-contaminated vineyard soils and copper mining waste

Biol Trace Elem Res. 2011 Dec;143(3):1729-39. doi: 10.1007/s12011-011-8979-z. Epub 2011 Feb 1.

Abstract

This study sought to evaluate the potential of perennial peanut (Arachis pintoi) for copper phytoremediation in vineyard soils (Inceptisol and Mollisol) contaminated with copper and copper mining waste. Our results showed high phytomass production of perennial peanut in both vineyard soils. Macronutrient uptakes were not negatively affected by perennial peanut cultivated in all contaminated soils. Plants cultivated in Mollisol showed high copper concentrations in the roots and shoots of 475 and 52 mg kg(-1), respectively. Perennial peanut plants showed low translocation factor values for Cu, although these plants showed high bioaccumulation factor (BCF) for both vineyard soils, Inceptisol and Mollisol, with BCF values of 3.83 and 3.24, respectively, being characterized as a copper hyperaccumulator plant in these soils. Copper phytoextraction from Inceptisol soil was the highest for both roots and entire plant biomass, with more than 800 mg kg(-1) of copper in whole plant. The highest potential copper phytoextraction by perennial peanut was in Inceptisol soil with copper removal of 2,500 g ha(-1). Also, perennial peanut showed high potential for copper phytoremoval in copper mining waste and Mollisol with 1,700 and 1,500 g of copper per hectare, respectively. In addition, perennial peanuts characterized high potential for phytoextraction and phytostabilization of copper in vineyard soils and copper mining waste.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arachis / metabolism*
  • Biodegradation, Environmental*
  • Biomass
  • Copper / isolation & purification*
  • Mining*
  • Soil Pollutants / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Soil Pollutants
  • Copper