Green and sustainable practices for an energy plant cultivation on naturally contaminated versus spiked soils. The impact of ageing soil pollution in the circular economy framework.
Environ Res
; 246: 118130, 2024 Apr 01.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38191042
ABSTRACT
Silybum marianum L. Gaertn. or milk thistle is an energy-produced weed that has been shown to be tolerant of heavy metal-contaminated soils. In the present study, its cultivation was studied in soils laboratory-spiked (artificial) with Cu and Zn solutions. Meanwhile, plant growing on naturally contaminated soils of Mediterranean regions, both urban and rural, was investigated. The metal concentrations spiked in artificial polluted soils were estimated to be roughly equivalent to those in naturally contaminated soils. Plants grown in artificially contaminated soils incorporated the metal added to the soils more rapidly and in higher proportions. The contamination of soil samples was carried out using different chemical reagents, salts containing the metals with oxidation number II, highlighting the fact that the reagent containing the metal is crucial regarding artificial soil pollution. Statistically significant differences were observed between the individual pollution patterns, as far as plant metals uptake concern. It was also found that the aged, contaminated soils transfer lower levels of metals to the plants. Therefore, aging or weathering of contamination alters toxicity levels in the soil environment by determining transport and uptake into the soil-to-plant system. Eventually, from the present research, it emerged the fact that in urban soils that have aged perennial pollution, the uptake of metals by plants is probably lower than in rural ones. Furthermore, with proper management, it is possible to grow plants, with low nutrient requirements, in urban soils by adopting smart, green and eco-friendly techniques, enhancing sustainable cultivation in the framework of circular economy.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Soil Pollutants
/
Metals, Heavy
Type of study:
Health_economic_evaluation
Language:
En
Journal:
Environ Res
Year:
2024
Type:
Article