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Evaluating the Absorption of Boron by Plants—A Potential Tool to Remediate Contaminated Sediments from Cecina River Basin in Italy

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Abstract

Assessment of native plants and laboratory-scale phytoextraction tests are fundamental and preliminary steps in checking the feasibility and practice of low-cost and low-impact phytoremediation. In this study, we investigated the absorption of B by plants as a tool to remove boron in sediments from different areas of the Cecina River basin in Tuscany, Italy. The investigation was performed analyzing total and available B fraction in sediment samples as well as the B content in different tissues of native plants colonizing the contaminated areas. In laboratory scale, a phytoextraction screening test was performed. Selected high biomass crops (Brassica juncea, Zea mays, and Helianthus annuus) were evaluated in the most contaminated sample in two consecutive growing cycles. Results from field survey showed no hyperaccumulator native plant was present in the investigated areas although, high accumulation levels were found in native species from Bulera dump (Rumex crispus—259 mg kg−1 and Poa spp—203 mg kg−1). Results from laboratory phytoextraction tests showed a higher ability of B. juncea which removed about 18.5 mg B kg−1 sediment in after the two consecutive growing cycles, representing on the whole 45% of the initial available B fraction. The sediment characteristics affected by the phytoextraction processes were also discussed.

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Acknowledgments

Research was funded by “Ministero dell’Ambiente e della Tutela Ambientale”, “Regione Toscana” and “Provincia di Pisa”. Authors are grateful to all subscribers of the Programme Agreement on “Remediation and Environmental Recovery of ex Mining and Industrial Site in the Area of Cecina River Basin” and to Dr. Sergio Grassi (CNR-IGG) for providing site data and assistance in the selection of areas to be investigated.

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  1. National Research Council, Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy

    Eliana L. Tassi, Francesca Pedron & Meri Barbafieri

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  1. Eliana L. Tassi
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  2. Francesca Pedron
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  3. Meri Barbafieri
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Correspondence to Eliana L. Tassi.

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Tassi, E.L., Pedron, F. & Barbafieri, M. Evaluating the Absorption of Boron by Plants—A Potential Tool to Remediate Contaminated Sediments from Cecina River Basin in Italy. Water Air Soil Pollut 216, 275–287 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-010-0533-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-010-0533-7

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