Journal of Nuclear Science, Engineering and Technology (JONSAT)
In cooperation with the Iranian Nuclear Society

Phytoremediation and uranium removal from soil using Conyza canadensis (L) Cronq

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

S. Zolghadri 1
A. Nabipour-Chakoli 2
H. Hoseinpour 3
H. Yousefnia 1
Z. Shiri-Yekta 4

1 Radiation Application Research School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, AEOI, P.O.Box: 11365-8486, Tehran – Iran

2 Nuclear Agriculture Research School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, P.O.Box: 31465-1498, Karaj – Iran

3 Iran Nuclear Reactor Fuel Company, P.O.Box: 1957-81465, Isfahan - Iran

4 Nuclear Fuel Cycle Research School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, AEOI, P.O.Box: 11365-8486, Tehran - Iran

https://doi.org/10.24200/nst.2024.1546.2008
Abstract
Today, phytoremediation is recognized as one of the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly methods for removing pollutants from soil. This study focused on investigating the phytoremediation capabilities of Conyza canadensis (L) Cronq in removing uranium from saline soil. Soil samples were collected from the nuclear area of Isfahan, with contamination levels of 100, 300, and 500 mg/kg of uranium. The seeds were germinated in a suitable substrate and then transplanted into pots containing the contaminated soil. The plants were then cultivated in a greenhouse for one month, and the amount of uranium accumulation in various parts of the plant was determined using the ash method. Results indicated that as the concentration of uranium in the soil increased, so did the accumulation of uranium in the plant. The study revealed a direct correlation between the amount of uranium accumulation in the plant and the soil's texture and electrical conductivity (EC). The highest accumulation was found in the plant's stem, reaching 3633 mg/kg. Conyza canadensis (L) Cronq demonstrated the ability to accumulate over 1000 mg/kg of uranium in different parts of the plant, with transfer factors exceeding one. Therefore, Conyza canadensis (L) Cronq shows promise as a suitable plant for phytoremediation of saline soils.

Highlights

  1. Kazemzadeh J, Sadatnouri A, Porang N, Alizadeh M, Ghoreishi H, Padash A. The Survey and Measurement of Ni, Pb, Cu, Mn, Zn, Cd and V Content in Green Vegetables of South Area of Tehran Refinery. Environ. Res. 2012;3:65-74 [In Persian].

 

  1. Hama Aziz K.H, Mustafa F.S, Omer K.M, Hama S, Hamarawf R.F, Rahman K.O. Heavy metal pollution in the aquatic environment: efficient and low-cost removal approaches to eliminate their toxicity: a review. RSC. Adv. 2023;13:17595-17610.

 

  1. Kiliç E. Heavy Metals Pollution in Water –Chemical engineer (Hacettepe University) chemical division manager – Cag. Kimya Turkey.

 

  1. Gongalsky K.B. Impact of Pollution Caused by Uranium Production on Soil Macrofauna. Environ. Monit. Assess. 2003;89:197–219.

 

  1. Fellet G, Marchiol L, Perosab D, Zerbia G. The application of phytoremediation technology in a soil contaminated by pyrite cinders. Ecol. Eng. 2007;31: 207–214.

 

  1. Susarla S, Medina V.F, McCutcheon S.C. Phytoremediation: an ecological solution to organic chemical contamination. Ecol. Eng. 2002;18:647–658.

 

  1. USEPA. Introduction to Phytoremediation. EPA 600/R-99/107, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Cincinnati, OH. 2000.

 

  1. Shahandeh H, Hossner L.R. Role of soil properties in phytoaccumulation of uranium. Water. Air Soil Pollut. 2002;141:165–180.

 

  1. Shahandeh H, Hossner L.R. Enhancement of uranium phytoaccumulation from contaminated soils. Soil Sci. 2002;167:269–280.

 

  1. Rani P, Rose P.K, Kidwai M.K, Meenakshi. Brassica Juncea L.: A Potential Crop for Phytoremediation of Various Heavy Metals. In: Singh, R.P., Singh, P., Srivastava, A. (eds) Heavy Metal Toxicity: Environmental Concerns, Remediation and Opportunities. Springer, Singapore. 2023.

 

  1. Chen L, Yang J.Y, Wang D. Phytoremediation of uranium and cadmium contaminated soils by sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) enhanced with biodegradable chelating agents. J. Clean Prod. 2020;263:121491.

 

  1. Wei S, Zhou Q, Wang X, Zhang K, Guo G, Ma L. Q. A newly-discovered Cd-hyperaccumulator Solatium nigrum L. Chin Sci Bull. 2005;50:33–38.

 

  1. Xia H, Liang D, Chen F, Liao M, Lin L, Tang Y, Lv X, Li H, Wang Z, Wang X, Wang J, Liu L, Ren W. Effects of mutual intercropping on cadmium accumulation by the accumulator plants Conyza canadensis, Cardamine hirsuta, and Cerastium glomeratum. Int J Phytoremediation. 2018;20:855-861.

 

  1. Xie H.Y, Hu J.S, Yin J, Ding D.X. Plant composition in certain uranium tailings area in china and their accumulation on uranium. Yuanzineng Kexue Jishu/Atomic Energy Science and Technology. 2014;48:1954-1959.

 

  1. Yu S, Sheng L, Mao H, Huang X, Luo L, Li Y. Physiological response of Conyza Canadensis to cadmium stress monitored by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and cadmium accumulation. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc. 2020;229:118007.

 

  1. Campos-M M, Campos-C R. Applications of quartering method in soils and foods. IJERA. 2017;7:35-39.

 

  1. Chang P, Kim K.W, Yoshida S, Kim S.Y. Uranium accumulation of crop plants enhanced by citric acid. Environ Geochem Health. 2005;27:529–538.

 

  1. McIntyre T. Phytoremediation of Heavy Metals from Soils. In: T. Scheper, D.T. Tsao (Eds.), Advances in Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology. New York: Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg. 2003;97-123.

 

  1. Kadkhodaie A, Kelich S, Baghbani A. Effects of Salinity Levels on Heavy Metals (Cd, Pb and Ni) Absorption by Sunflower and Sudangrass Plants. Bull. Env. Pharmacol. Life Scien. 2012;1:47-53.

Keywords

Phytoremediation
Conyza canadensis (L) Cronq
Uranium
Transfer factor
  1. Kazemzadeh J, Sadatnouri A, Porang N, Alizadeh M, Ghoreishi H, Padash A. The Survey and Measurement of Ni, Pb, Cu, Mn, Zn, Cd and V Content in Green Vegetables of South Area of Tehran Refinery. Environ. Res. 2012;3:65-74 [In Persian].

 

  1. Hama Aziz K.H, Mustafa F.S, Omer K.M, Hama S, Hamarawf R.F, Rahman K.O. Heavy metal pollution in the aquatic environment: efficient and low-cost removal approaches to eliminate their toxicity: a review. RSC. Adv. 2023;13:17595-17610.

 

  1. Kiliç E. Heavy Metals Pollution in Water –Chemical engineer (Hacettepe University) chemical division manager – Cag. Kimya Turkey.

 

  1. Gongalsky K.B. Impact of Pollution Caused by Uranium Production on Soil Macrofauna. Environ. Monit. Assess. 2003;89:197–219.

 

  1. Fellet G, Marchiol L, Perosab D, Zerbia G. The application of phytoremediation technology in a soil contaminated by pyrite cinders. Ecol. Eng. 2007;31: 207–214.

 

  1. Susarla S, Medina V.F, McCutcheon S.C. Phytoremediation: an ecological solution to organic chemical contamination. Ecol. Eng. 2002;18:647–658.

 

  1. USEPA. Introduction to Phytoremediation. EPA 600/R-99/107, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Cincinnati, OH. 2000.

 

  1. Shahandeh H, Hossner L.R. Role of soil properties in phytoaccumulation of uranium. Water. Air Soil Pollut. 2002;141:165–180.

 

  1. Shahandeh H, Hossner L.R. Enhancement of uranium phytoaccumulation from contaminated soils. Soil Sci. 2002;167:269–280.

 

  1. Rani P, Rose P.K, Kidwai M.K, Meenakshi. Brassica Juncea L.: A Potential Crop for Phytoremediation of Various Heavy Metals. In: Singh, R.P., Singh, P., Srivastava, A. (eds) Heavy Metal Toxicity: Environmental Concerns, Remediation and Opportunities. Springer, Singapore. 2023.

 

  1. Chen L, Yang J.Y, Wang D. Phytoremediation of uranium and cadmium contaminated soils by sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) enhanced with biodegradable chelating agents. J. Clean Prod. 2020;263:121491.

 

  1. Wei S, Zhou Q, Wang X, Zhang K, Guo G, Ma L. Q. A newly-discovered Cd-hyperaccumulator Solatium nigrum L. Chin Sci Bull. 2005;50:33–38.

 

  1. Xia H, Liang D, Chen F, Liao M, Lin L, Tang Y, Lv X, Li H, Wang Z, Wang X, Wang J, Liu L, Ren W. Effects of mutual intercropping on cadmium accumulation by the accumulator plants Conyza canadensis, Cardamine hirsuta, and Cerastium glomeratum. Int J Phytoremediation. 2018;20:855-861.

 

  1. Xie H.Y, Hu J.S, Yin J, Ding D.X. Plant composition in certain uranium tailings area in china and their accumulation on uranium. Yuanzineng Kexue Jishu/Atomic Energy Science and Technology. 2014;48:1954-1959.

 

  1. Yu S, Sheng L, Mao H, Huang X, Luo L, Li Y. Physiological response of Conyza Canadensis to cadmium stress monitored by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and cadmium accumulation. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc. 2020;229:118007.

 

  1. Campos-M M, Campos-C R. Applications of quartering method in soils and foods. IJERA. 2017;7:35-39.

 

  1. Chang P, Kim K.W, Yoshida S, Kim S.Y. Uranium accumulation of crop plants enhanced by citric acid. Environ Geochem Health. 2005;27:529–538.

 

  1. McIntyre T. Phytoremediation of Heavy Metals from Soils. In: T. Scheper, D.T. Tsao (Eds.), Advances in Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology. New York: Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg. 2003;97-123.

 

  1. Kadkhodaie A, Kelich S, Baghbani A. Effects of Salinity Levels on Heavy Metals (Cd, Pb and Ni) Absorption by Sunflower and Sudangrass Plants. Bull. Env. Pharmacol. Life Scien. 2012;1:47-53.

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