Effect of simultaneous establishment of Sedum alfredii and Zea mays on heavy metal accumulation in plants

Liu Xiaomei, Wu Qitang, M. Katherine Banks

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

66 Scopus citations

Abstract

Land application of biosolids to improve agricultural productivity is a cost-effective approach for resource recovery. Unfortunately, municipal biosolids often contain high concentrations of heavy metals, including zinc and copper. In this study, a co-cropping technique was investigated using a known zinc hyperaccumulator, Sedum alfredii, with a grain crop, Zea mays. After a 3-mo growth trial, the results indicate that when Z. mays is co-cropped with S. alfredii, heavy metals accumulated in the grains were significantly reduced when compared to monoculture cropping. Co-cropping improved the growth of both plant species. In addition, the biosolids maintained stable pH, N-P-K concentrations, germination potential, and water content after the plant treatment, regardless of the plant species used in the trial. In conclusion, co-cropping with hyperacumulators may be an effective approach to reducing the risk of contaminant uptake in edible crops.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)43-53
Number of pages11
JournalInternational Journal of Phytoremediation
Volume7
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2005

Keywords

  • Heavy metals
  • Hyperaccumulation
  • Phytoremediation
  • Plant uptake

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Pollution
  • Plant Science

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