Phytoremediation potential depends on the degree of soil pollution: a case study in an urban brownfield

Abstract

Phytoremediation is a cost-effective nature-based solution for brownfield reclamation. The choice of phytoextraction or phytostabilization strategies is highly relevant when planning full-scale treatments. A suitable approach to identify such species involves the evaluation of plants that grow spontaneously on the contaminated sites. Here, we sought to determine the phytoremediation potential of three spontaneous plant species, namely the trees Acer pseudoplatanus L (A. pseudoplatanus) and Betula celtiberica Rothm. & Vasc (B. celtiberica), and the shrub Buddleja davidii Franch (B. davidii), for the recovery of an urban brownfield. To determine the response of the species to the degree of contamination, we conducted soil and vegetation sampling inside and outside the site. The concentrations of As, Cu, and Zn in soil and plant samples were measured, and then various indexes related to phytoremediation were calculated. The translocation factor and transfer coefficient indicated that vegetation outside the brownfield had phytoextraction capacity while the same plants inside the brownfield revealed phytostabilization properties. Given our results, we propose that the selected species are suitable for phytostabilization strategies in areas with high concentrations of contaminants, whereas they could be used for phytoextraction only in soils with low or moderate levels of pollution. Graphical Abstract

Brownfield-related studies in the context of climate change: A comprehensive review and future prospects

“…Quantitative and multidimensional assessment of soil restoration effectiveness is conducted by investigating pollution concentrations, impact extents, and related aspects. It's noteworthy that strategy selection becomes more intricate when dealing with multiple pollutants due to the influence of synergistic and antagonistic interactions among pollutants [ [196] , [197] , [198] ]. In the process of remediation, it is essential to concurrently consider the Correlation of co-contamination (organic and inorganic), as understanding the interplay and connections between these pollutants is crucial for effective remediation and management strategies.…”

Spatial and Temporal Distribution Characteristics and Influential Mechanisms of China’s Industrial Landscape Based on Geodetector

“…This initiative has not only facilitated the protection and reuse of industrial landscapes in China but has also provided policy guidelines for industrial tourism and urban revitalization. However, the challenges of preserving the unique value of industrial landscapes [10,81], promoting their transformation and development [82,83], and mitigating residual pollution remain urgent issues to be addressed [84,85]. In the digital age, the transformation of industrial landscapes is intricately connected to the growth of industrial tourism.…”

The Phytoremediation Potential of 14 Salix Clones Grown in Pb/Zn and Cu Mine Tailings

“…Good agreement was found between the certified values and our technique (Table S2). Bioconcentration factor (BCF) values at the end of the experiment were calculated using BCF = A tissues /A soil [45], where A tissues (mg kg −1 ) represents the total accumulation of heavy metals in tissues, and A soil (mg kg −1 ) denotes the concentration of heavy metals in the tailings. Translocation factor (TF) values were calculated using TF = A a /A b [45], where A a (mg kg −1 ) indicates the total accumulation of heavy metals in the aboveground parts, and A b (mg kg −1 ) represents the total accumulation of heavy metals in the belowground parts.…”