| Abstract | Polychlorinated byphenyls (PCBs) are a class of Persistent Organic Pollutants extremely
hard to remove from soil. The use of plants to promote the degradation of PCBs, thanks to
synergic interactions between roots and the natural soil microorganisms in the rhizosphere, has been
proved to constitute an eective and environmentally friendly remediation technique. Preliminary
microcosm experiments were conducted in a greenhouse for 12 months to evaluate the capacity of
the Monviso hybrid poplar clone, a model plant for phytoremediation, to grow in a low quality
and PCB-contaminated soil in order to assess if this clone could be subsequently used in a field
experiment. For this purpose, three dierent soil conditions (Microbiologically Active, Pre-sterilized
and Hypoxic soils) were set up in order to assess the capacity of this clone to grow in the polluted
soil in these dierent conditions and support the soil microbial community activity. The growth
and physiology (chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence, ascorbate, phenolic compounds and
flavonoid contents) of the poplar were determined. Moreover, chemical analyses were performed to
assess the concentrations of PCB indicators in soil and plant roots. Finally, the microbial community
was evaluated in terms of total abundance and activity under the dierent experimental conditions.
Results showed that the poplar clone was able to grow eciently in the contaminated soil and to
promote microbial transformations of PCBs. Plants grown in the hypoxic condition promoted the
formation of a higher number of higher-chlorinated PCBs and accumulated lower PCBs in their roots.
However, plants in this condition showed a higher stress level than the other microcosms, producing
higher amounts of phenolic, flavonoid and ascorbate contents, as a defence mechanism.
Keywords: natural-based remediation strategies; Monviso clone; plant physiology; antioxidant |
| Authors | Isabel Nogues , Paola Grenni , Martina Di Lenola, Laura Passatore, Ettore Guerriero, Paolo Benedetti, Angelo Massacci, Jasmin Rauseo and Anna Barra Caracciolo |
| Text | 410228 2019 10.3390/w11112220 Scopus 2 s2.0 85075548791 ISI Web of Science WOS 000502264500022 natural based remediation strategies; Monviso clone; plant physiology; antioxidant defence; soil microbial communities Microcosm Experiment to Assess the Capacity of a Poplar Clone to Grow in a PCB Contaminated Soil Isabel Nogues , Paola Grenni , Martina Di Lenola, Laura Passatore, Ettore Guerriero, Paolo Benedetti, Angelo Massacci, Jasmin Rauseo and Anna Barra Caracciolo National Research Council, Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems IRET CNR , Area della Ricerca RM1, 00015 Moterotondo, Rome, National Research Council,Water Research Institute IRSA CNR , Area della Ricerca RM1, 00015 Moterotondo, Rome, Italy; National Research Council, Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research IIA CNR , Area della Ricerca RM1, 00015 Moterotondo, Rome, Italy Polychlorinated byphenyls PCBs are a class of Persistent Organic Pollutants extremely hard to remove from soil. The use of plants to promote the degradation of PCBs, thanks to synergic interactions between roots and the natural soil microorganisms in the rhizosphere, has been proved to constitute an eective and environmentally friendly remediation technique. Preliminary microcosm experiments were conducted in a greenhouse for 12 months to evaluate the capacity of the Monviso hybrid poplar clone, a model plant for phytoremediation, to grow in a low quality and PCB contaminated soil in order to assess if this clone could be subsequently used in a field experiment. For this purpose, three dierent soil conditions Microbiologically Active, Pre sterilized and Hypoxic soils were set up in order to assess the capacity of this clone to grow in the polluted soil in these dierent conditions and support the soil microbial community activity. The growth and physiology chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence, ascorbate, phenolic compounds and flavonoid contents of the poplar were determined. Moreover, chemical analyses were performed to assess the concentrations of PCB indicators in soil and plant roots. Finally, the microbial community was evaluated in terms of total abundance and activity under the dierent experimental conditions. Results showed that the poplar clone was able to grow eciently in the contaminated soil and to promote microbial transformations of PCBs. Plants grown in the hypoxic condition promoted the formation of a higher number of higher chlorinated PCBs and accumulated lower PCBs in their roots. However, plants in this condition showed a higher stress level than the other microcosms, producing higher amounts of phenolic, flavonoid and ascorbate contents, as a defence mechanism. Keywords natural based remediation strategies; Monviso clone; plant physiology; antioxidant 11 Published version Microcosm Experiment to Assess the Capacity of a Poplar Clone to Grow in a PCB Contaminated Soil Articolo in pdf Microcosm Experiment to Assess the Capacity of a.pdf Articolo in rivista Molecular Diversity Preservation International 2073 4441 Water Basel Water Basel Water Basel Water. Basel BENEDETTI PAOLO DI LENOLA MARTINA laura.passatore PASSATORE LAURA ettore.guerriero GUERRIERO ETTORE anna.barracaracciolo BARRA CARACCIOLO ANNA mariaisabel.noguesgonzalez NOGUES GONZALEZ MARIA ISABEL paola.grenni GRENNI PAOLA jasmin.rauseo RAUSEO JASMIN |
