Enhanced phytoremediation of PAHs and cadmium contaminated soils by a Mycobacterium

Abstract

This study investigated Fire Phoenix (Festuca L.) and Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench inoculated with a Mycobacterium strain N12 in remediation of soils contaminated with both polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and cadmium (Cd). Plant growth and PAH and Cd removal were monitored in 60, 120, and 150 days after transplanting. Results showed that Fire Phoenix plants grown in soil containing 200 mg/kg PAHs and 15 mg/kg Cd inoculated with N12 were able to remove 76.3% PAHs compared to removal of 68.3% of PAHs by the plants without N12 inoculation. On day 150, the underground biomass of Fire Phoenix plants grown in soil inoculated with N12 increased 59.40% compared to that without N12 inoculation. The enhanced removal of PAH by Fire Phoenix and N12 was related to the improved rhizosphere microbial activities. However, inoculation of N12 to E. purpurea grown soil did not significantly improve the removal of PAHs and Cd. Our results showed that phytoremediation of PAHs and Cd can be enhanced by a Mycobacterium strain N12, especially when PLFA concentrations of bacteria and fungi exceeded 60% of the initial concentrations, but the enhancement is plant species dependent.

Keywords: Cd contamination; Microbial activities; PAH-Cd co-contamination; Phospholipid fatty acids; Plant-microorganism combined remediation; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).