Italian ryegrass for the phytoremediation of solutions polluted with terbuthylazine

Chemosphere. 2015 Jan:119:31-36. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.04.114. Epub 2014 Jun 20.

Abstract

The phytoextraction capacity of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) to remove terbuthylazine (TBA) from aqueous solution has been assessed using a plant-based biotest (RHIZOtest). Three TBA concentrations (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg L(-1)) were chosen to evaluate the tolerance capacity of the ryegrass. Even though the treatments negatively affected plants, they were able to remove up to 30-40% of TBA. In addition, some enzymatic activities involved in the response to TBA-induced stress were determined. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) has been activated with a TBA-dose dependent trend; ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities have been induced within the first hours after the treatments, followed by decreases or disappearance in plants exposed to two higher dosages. In conclusion, this case-study highlights that the combination of ryegrass and RHIZOtest resulted to be effective in the remediation of aqueous solutions polluted by TBA.

Keywords: Ascorbate peroxidases; Glutathione S-transferases; Herbicide residues; Italian ryegrass; Terbuthylazine.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Enzyme Activation / drug effects
  • Glutathione Transferase / metabolism
  • Herbicides / analysis
  • Herbicides / metabolism*
  • Herbicides / toxicity
  • Italy
  • Lolium / metabolism*
  • Solutions / analysis
  • Solutions / metabolism
  • Triazines / analysis
  • Triazines / metabolism*
  • Triazines / toxicity
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / metabolism*
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / toxicity

Substances

  • Herbicides
  • Solutions
  • Triazines
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Glutathione Transferase
  • terbutylazine