Assessment of European and hybrid aspen clones efficiency based on height growth and removal percentage of petroleum hydrocarbons—a field trial

Abstract

Soils polluted by organic or inorganic pollutants are an emerging global environmental issue due to their toxic effects. A phytoremediation experiment was conducted to evaluate the extraction potential of three European aspen clones (R2, R3, and R4) and seven hybrid aspen clones (14, 27, 34, 134, 172, 191, and 291) grown in soils polluted with hydrocarbons (includes polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH)). Height growth, plant survival rates, and .hydrocarbon removal efficiencies were investigated over a 4-year period at a site in Somerharju, Luumaki Finland, to assess the remediation potential of the clones. Hydrocarbon content in the soil was determined by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The results revealed that hybrid aspen clones 14 and 34 and European aspen clone R3 achieved greater height growth (171, 171, and 114 cm, respectively) than the other clones in the study. Further, the greatest removals of PAH (90% at depth 10-50 cm) and (86% at depth 5-10 cm) were observed in plot G15 planted with clone R2. Furthermore, the greatest TPH removal rate at 5-10 cm depth (C 22-C 40 , 97%; C 10-C 40 , 96%; and C 10-C 21 , 90%) was observed in plot 117 with clone 134. However, other clones demonstrated an ability to grow in soils with elevated levels of TPH and PAH, which indicates their tolerance to hydrocarbons and their potential capacity for phytoremediation of hydrocarbon-polluted soils. Our study suggests that European aspen and hybrid aspen clones could be used for the remediation of soils polluted with PAH and TPH.

Effects of Contaminated Soil on the Survival and Growth Performance of European (Populus tremula L.) and Hybrid Aspen (Populus tremula L. × Populus tremuloides Michx.) Clones Based on Stand Density

“…Compared to the other clones, hybrid aspen clone 291 had a higher survival rate in diesel-contaminated soil ( Figure 2 a). These results are consistent with the findings of Salam et al [ 37 ], who reported the survival of European aspen and hybrid aspen clones grown in hydrocarbons-contaminated soils. In diesel-contaminated soil, European aspen clone R4 survived more effectively than R3 ( Figure 2 a).…”

“…This would suggest that European aspen and hybrid aspen clones have considerable potential for phytoremediation experiments since European aspen and hybrid aspen clones showed a 76% survival rate in this study. A field trial demonstrated that European aspen and hybrid aspen clones could survive in hydrocarbons-contaminated soil with a 59–64% survival rate [ 37 ]. Compared to the other clones, hybrid aspen clone 291 had a higher survival rate in diesel-contaminated soil ( Figure 2 a).…”

“…During the growing season, the mean monthly temperature in the study area ranges from 21 to 25 °C in the summer (May–August) and from −10 to 22 °C in the winter (November-March). The length of daylight varies from 5 h in winter to 20 h in summer [ 37 ]. The creosote preservation facility for railway sleepers was situated in the central part of the study area (~1.2 ha) from 1947 to 1958 [ 37 ].…”

“…The length of daylight varies from 5 h in winter to 20 h in summer [ 37 ]. The creosote preservation facility for railway sleepers was situated in the central part of the study area (~1.2 ha) from 1947 to 1958 [ 37 ]. During this time, an extensive leak occurred in this area, causing 10,000 L of creosote to spill into the soil [ 49 ].…”

“…In another phytoremediation study, Populus plants were used for leachate and wastewater treatments, and they generally showed better growth and resistance than the Salix plants [ 36 ]. Recently, Salam et al [ 37 ] noted that European aspen and hybrid aspen have the potential to survive and grow in hydrocarbon-polluted soils. Marmiroli et al [ 38 ] and Salam et al [ 39 ] reported that the removal percentage of pollutants depends on the plant species and plant growth.…”