Effects of heavy metal ions on white clover (<i>Trifolium repens</i> L.) growth in Cd, Pb and Zn contaminated soils using zeolite

Abstract

According to the Greek Ministry of Environment, there are 2,000 contaminated sites in Greece. The agricultural production in these sites should be evaluated to provide an assessment and recommendations on the necessary actions required for crop sustainability. This study investigated the effects of heavy metals on White clover (Trifolium repens L.) growth in an above-referenced multi-metal contaminated site in the absence/presence of zeolite as an agent empowering the rehabilitation of pollution and immobilization of heavy metals. The addition of 1% zeolite to the polluted soils significantly contributed to plant growth by limiting the availability of Cd, Pb and Zn. However, the dry biomass of plants grown in the presence of zeolite was evaluated to be unsuitable as a raw material (feed) in livestock production, due to the high Cd toxicity. In the context of sustainable production, this study aims to holistically approach and evaluate mechanisms of phytoremediation, bioaccumulation and the disposal of the bioaccumulator as a high value-added product (feed).

Properties and applications of natural zeolites

“…Other references on the topic of Agriculture are suggested: Abdelrahman et al 2023;Affendi et al 2023;Cataldo et al 2023Cataldo et al , 2021Haemmerle and Tschgg, 2023;Gholamhoseini et al 2023;Öz and Aral, 2023;Saint-Aimé et al 2023;Sharma et al 2023;Pavlak et al 2023;Cadar et al 2023;Al-Salihi et al 2023;Sotiriou et al 2023;Al Amir et al 2022;Jarosz et al 2022Jarosz et al , 2017Dinuccio et al 2022;Abdulathemand and Al-Rudainy, 2021;Khalifa et al 2021;Szatanik-Kloc et al 2021;Hazrati et al 2021;Noviello et al 2021;Rahimi et al 2021;Szerement et al 2021;Choo et al 2020;de Brujin et al 2020;Kalita et al 2020;Liza et al 2020;Nikolau et al 2020;Pratt et al 2020;Serati Nouri et al 2020;Abreu et al 2019;Dubey and Mailapalli, 2019;Eroglu et al 2019;Giannatou et al, 2018;Jakkula and Wani, 2018;Pasaglia and Prisa, 2018;Bilgin, 2017;Smedt et al 2017;Garzón Prado et al 2017;Tsynskaladze et al 2017;…”

Integrated Assessment of Pb(II) and Cu(II) Metal Ion Phytotoxicity on Medicago sativa L., Triticum aestivum L., and Zea mays L. Plants: Insights into Germination Inhibition, Seedling Development, and Ecosystem Health

“…Also, maize (Zea mays L.), especially maize kernels, is a staple food for livestock, providing energy-rich carbohydrates and essential nutrients, and maize plants exposed to heavy metal-contaminated soil may show stunted growth, a lower yield, and reduced nutritional value. Heavy metals can interfere with nutrient uptake and lead to mineral imbalances in plants, affecting their overall quality as animal feed [43][44][45].…”