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Greenhouse Study on the Phytoremediation Potential of Vetiver Grass, Chrysopogon zizanioides L., in Arsenic-Contaminated Soils

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Abstract

The purpose of this greenhouse study was to assess the capacity of vetiver grass to accumulate arsenic from pesticide-contaminated soils of varying physico-chemical properties. Results indicate that vetiver is capable of tolerating moderate levels of arsenic up to 225 mg/kg. Plant growth and arsenic removal efficiency was strongly influenced by soil properties. Arsenic removal was highest (10.6%) in Millhopper soil contaminated with 45 mg/kg arsenic, which decreased to 4.5 and 0.6% at 225 and 450 mg/kg, respectively. High biomass, widespread root system and environmental tolerance make this plant an attractive choice for the remediation of soils contaminated with moderate levels of arsenic.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge NIH-SCORE and SALSI for funding this study. The Center for Water Research, UTSA, is acknowledged for providing an assistantship to MAQ. Thanks are also due to Drs. E. Hanlon, T. Obreza, J. Matocha, G. Snyder, and Larry Schwandes for providing the soils used in this study.

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Correspondence to Rupali Datta.

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Datta, R., Quispe, M.A. & Sarkar, D. Greenhouse Study on the Phytoremediation Potential of Vetiver Grass, Chrysopogon zizanioides L., in Arsenic-Contaminated Soils. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 86, 124–128 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-010-0185-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-010-0185-8

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