Evaluation of long-term phosphorus uptake by Schoenoplectus californicus and Phragmites australis plants in pilot-scale constructed wetlands.

The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term phosphorus (P) retention in a pilot-scale system made of four horizontal subsurface flow (HSSF) constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment. Each wetland had an area of 4.5 m2 and was operated for nearly 8 years (2833 days). Two wetlands with Schoenoplectus californicus (HSSF-Sch) and the other two with Phragmites australis (HSSF-Phr) were planted. The P removal efficiency was 18% for both types of HSSF wetlands. The primary factors that correlated with long-term P retention efficiency in HSSF were phosphorus loading rate (PLR), hydraulic loading rate (HLR) and dissolved oxygen (DO). Average biomass production of HSSF-Phr and HSSF-Sch was 4.8 and 12.1 kg dry weight (DW)/m2, respectively. The P uptake by the plant increased over the years of operation from 1.8 gP/m2 to 7.1 gP/m2 for Phragmites and from 3.2 to 7.4 gP/m2 for Schoenoplectus over the same periods. Moreover, the warm season (S/Sm) was more efficient reaching 14% P uptake than the cold season (F/W) with 9%. These results suggest that both plants' P retention capacity in HSSF systems represents a sustainable treatment in the long term.Novelty statement Long-term (8 years) phosphorus uptake by Schoenoplectus californicus and Phragmites australis and retention in pilot-scale constructed wetlands are evaluated. Schoenoplectus californicus is an uncommon species that has been less studied for phosphorus uptake compared to Phragmites australis, a globally known species in constructed wetlands. Moreover, some studies evaluating the performance of constructed wetland systems for domestic wastewater treatment are usually limited in time (1-3 years). Therefore, this long-term study demonstrates that the plant plays an important role in phosphorus retention, especially the species Schoenoplectus californicus. So, the phosphorus uptake by plants can contribute between 9 and 14% of the phosphorus load of constructed wetland systems in early years of operation.

Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Zinc Sulfate Impact Physiological Parameters and Boosts Lipid Peroxidation in Soil Grown Coriander Plants (Coriandrum sativum).

The objective of this study was to determine the oxidative stress and the physiological and antioxidant responses of coriander plants (Coriandrum sativum) grown for 58 days in soil with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) at concentrations of 0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg of Zn/kg of soil. The results revealed that all Zn compounds increased the total chlorophyll content (CHLt) by at least 45%, compared to the control group; however, with 400 mg/kg of ZnSO4, chlorophyll accumulation decreased by 34.6%. Zn determination by induction-plasma-coupled atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) showed that Zn absorption in roots and shoots occurred in plants exposed to ZnSO4 at all concentrations, which resulted in high levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Only at 400 mg/kg of ZnSO4, a 78.6% decrease in the MDA levels was observed. According to the results, the ZnSO4 treatments were more effective than the ZnO NPs to increase the antioxidant activity of catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and peroxidases (POD). The results corroborate that phytotoxicity was higher in plants subjected to ZnSO4 compared to treatments with ZnO NPs, which suggests that the toxicity was due to Zn accumulation in the tissues by absorbing dissolved Zn++ ions.

Beyond cadmium accumulation: Distribution of other trace elements in soils and cacao beans in Ecuador.

Since cacao beans accumulate Cd in high levels and restrictions have been imposed on safe levels of chocolate consumption, concern about whether or not cacao trees store other toxic elements seems to be inevitable. Following a previous study in Ecuador examining Cd content in five cacao varieties collected in pristine areas and in places impacted by oil activities, we present here the concentrations of 11 trace elements (TEs) (As, Ba, Co, Cu, Cr, Mo, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn) in soils, cacao tissues (leaves, pod husks, beans) and cocoa liquor (CL). Several TEs showed concentrations in topsoils above the Ecuadorian limits, and may have a mixed natural and anthropogenic origin. Ba and Mo concentrations in cacao tissues are slightly higher than those reported in other surveys, but this was not the case for toxic elements (As and Pb). TE contents are lower in CL, than in beans, except for Pb and Co, but no risk was identified for human health. Compared with control areas, Enrichment Factors were below 2 in impacted areas, except for Ba. Transfer factors (from soils to cacao) indicated that cacao does not accumulate TEs. A positive correlation was found between Cd and Zn in topsoils and cacao tissues for the CCN-51 variety, and between Cd and Ni for the Nacional variety. Identifying patterns of TE distribution and potential interactions in order to explain plant internal mechanisms, which is also dependent on the cacao variety, is a difficult task and needs further research.

Total and Bioaccessible Soil Arsenic and Lead Levels and Plant Uptake in Three Urban Community Gardens in Puerto Rico.

Arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) are two contaminants of concern associated with urban gardening. In Puerto Rico, data currently is limited on As and Pb levels in urban garden soils, soil metal (loid) bioaccessibility, and uptake of As and Pb in soil by edible plants grown in the region. This study examined total and bioaccessible soil As and Pb concentrations and accumulation in 10 commonly grown garden plants collected from three urban community gardens in Puerto Rico. Bioavailability values were predicted using bioaccessibility data to compare site-specific bioavailability estimates to commonly used default exposure assumptions. Total and bioaccessible As levels in study soils ranged from 2 to 55 mg/kg and 1 to 18 mg/kg, respectively. Total and bioaccessible Pb levels ranged from 19 to 172 mg/kg and 17 to 97 mg/kg, respectively. Measured bioaccessibility values corresponded to 19 to 42% bioaccessible As and 61 to 100% bioaccessible Pb when expressed as a percent of total As and Pb respectively. Predicted relative percent bioavailability of soil As and Pb based on measured bioaccessibility values ranged from 18 to 36% and 51 to 85% for As and Pb respectively. Transfer factors (TFs) measuring uptake of As in plants from soil ranged from 0 to 0.073 in the edible flesh (fruit or vegetable) of plant tissues analyzed and 0.073 to 0.444 in edible leaves. Pb TFs ranged from 0.002 to 0.012 in flesh and 0.023 to 0.204 in leaves. Consistent with TF values, leaves accumulated higher concentrations of As and Pb than the flesh, with the highest tissue concentrations observed in the culantro leaf (3.2 mg/kg dw of As and 8.9 mg/kg dw of Pb). Leaves showed a general but not statistically-significant (α = 0.05) trend of increased As and Pb concentration with increased soil levels, while no trend was observed for flesh tissues. These findings provide critical data that can improve accuracy and reduce uncertainty when conducting site-specific risk determination of potential As and Pb exposure while gardening or consuming garden produce in the understudied region of Puerto Rico.

Soil-plant transfer models for metals to improve soil screening value guidelines valid for São Paulo, Brazil.

In Brazil, there is a lack of combined soil-plant data attempting to explain the influence of specific climate, soil conditions, and crop management on heavy metal uptake and accumulation by plants. As a consequence, soil-plant relationships to be used in risk assessments or for derivation of soil screening values are not available. Our objective in this study was to develop empirical soil-plant models for Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni, and Zn, in order to derive appropriate soil screening values representative of humid tropical regions such as the state of São Paulo (SP), Brazil. Soil and plant samples from 25 vegetable species in the production areas of SP were collected. The concentrations of metals found in these soil samples were relatively low. Therefore, data from temperate regions were included in our study. The soil-plant relations derived had a good performance for SP conditions for 8 out of 10 combinations of metal and vegetable species. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) values for Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in lettuce and for Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in carrot were determined under three exposure scenarios at pH 5 and 6. The application of soil-plant models and the BCFs proposed in this study can be an important tool to derive national soil quality criteria. However, this methodological approach includes data assessed under different climatic conditions and soil types and need to be carefully considered.

Potential of vegetated ditches to manage organic pollutants derived from agricultural runoff and domestic sewage: A case study in Sinaloa (Mexico).

This case study presents the fate of selected organic, priority and emerging pollutants along a 3.6km sector of a vegetated, agricultural ditch situated in Sinaloa (Mexico). The ditch receives runoff of agriculture and domestic wastewater from an adjacent community. During 2013, the occurrence of 38 organic pollutants (pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), artificial sweeteners and pharmaceutical residues) was monitored monthly at five selected points in the ditch water. Additionally, sediment and Typha domingensis (cattail) plants were collected in March, June, and September 2013 and investigated concerning their ability to absorb and accumulate pollutants. The concentrations of the selected pollutants in the ditch water ranged from sub ngL-1 (metolachlor, atrazine) to µgL-1 (metalaxyl, acesulfame). The metabolites endosulfan sulfate and endosulfan lactone exceeded mostly the concentration of the precursor insecticide endosulfan. Sorption on sediments was of minor relevance for accumulation of pollutants in the ditch system. Concentrations in the sediments varied seasonally and ranged from 0.2 to 12,432µgkg-1 dry weight (d.w.). T. domingensis accumulated ten of the studied pollutants mainly in roots (5-1065µgkg-1 d.w.). Overall, the monitoring results of the ditch compartments indicated that downstream the concentrations of the target pollutants decreased. Under no-flow conditions in the hot season, the ditch revealed a noticeable potential to mitigate pollutants. Among the high microbial activity in the water and the subtropical climate conditions, the ditch vegetation contributed to natural attenuation of the selected pollutants.

Biochar como enmienda en un oxisol y su efecto en el crecimiento de maíz

Hay una creciente preocupación, a nivel mundial, por la declinación de la calidad de los suelos. Numerosos reportes sugieren la adición de biochar, para incrementar la fertilidad del suelo y la productividad de los cultivos. Se evaluó el efecto de la aplicación de diferentes niveles de biochar, en un oxisol representativo de la Altillanura Colombiana y su efecto en el crecimiento del maíz. Las muestras de suelo fueron recolectadas y tratadas con biochar de cuesco de palma africana procesado, en un reactor termoquímico cilíndrico de lecho fijo; se manejó régimen de flujo concurrente y diferentes temperaturas, para priorizar la obtención de biochar. Se utilizaron dosis de biochar (masa/masa) de 0, 2, 5 y 10% y se compararon con tratamiento con cal. Después de incubación por 45 días bajo condiciones ambientales exteriores, cuatro semillas de maíz (Zea maíz L.) variedad Guacavía fueron sembradas en cada recipiente, sin adición de fertilizante o enmienda. Las unidades experimentales fueron contenedores plásticos de 5kg. El material vegetal, aunque se recolectó a los 90 días después de la siembra, presentaba una fase vegetativa V5. Se analizó absorción de nutrientes por el maíz en planta entera. Independiente, se analizaron muestras del biochar, encontrándose que predominaron las cargas negativas. En la mezcla suelo-biochar, se observó incremento de P, Ca, Mg y K, pero el Na no tuvo incremento; se redujo el Al+3 proporcional a la aplicación de biochar. La absorción de Zn y Mg aumentó notablemente en el maíz, pero también la absorción de Fe se incrementó, a niveles tóxicos.

There is growing concern worldwide for the decline of soil quality. Numerous reports suggest the addition of biochar to increase soil fertility and crop productivity. The effect of applying different levels of biochar in a representative oxisol of Colombian Altillanura and its effect on corn growth was evaluated. Soil samples were collected and treated with African palm shell biochar, thermochemically obtained in a cylindrical fixed bed reactor, in a concurrent flow regime. Different temperatures were handled to prioritize obtaining biochar. Doses of biochar (m/m) of 0, 2, 5 and 10% were used and compared with treatment with lime. After 45 days incubation, under external environmental conditions, seeds of maize (Zea mays L.), Guacavía variety were planted in each container, without addition of fertilizer or amendment. The experimental units were plastic containers of 5kg. Although the plant material was collected 90 days after planting, it presented a vegetative phase V5. Nutrient uptake by corn was analyzed in whole plant. Independent biochar samples were analyzed and found predominance negative charges. In the mix biochar-soil increased P, Ca, Mg and K was observed, but did not increase Na. Al+ 3 proportional to the application of biochar was reduced. The Zn and Mg absorption increased significantly in maize, but also Fe uptake increased to toxic levels.

Estimation of herbicide bioconcentration in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) / Modelagem de bioconcentração de herbicidas em cana (Saccharum officinarum L.)

Sugarcane is an important crop for sugar and biofuel production in Brazil. Growers depend greatly on herbicides to produce it. This experiment used herbicide physical-chemical and sugarcane plant physiological properties to simulate herbicide uptake and estimate the bioconcentration factor (BCF). The (BCF) was calculated for the steady state chemical equilibrium between the plant herbicide concentration and soil solution. Plant-water partition coefficient (sugarcane bagasse-water partition coefficient), herbicide dilution rate, metabolism and dissipation in the soil-plant system, as well as total plant biomass factors were used. In addition, we added Tebuthiuron at rate of 5.0kg a.i. ha-1 to physically test the model. In conclusion, the model showed the following ranking of herbicide uptake: sulfentrazone > picloram >tebuthiuron > hexazinone > metribuzin > simazine > ametryn > diuron > clomazone > acetochlor. Furthermore, the highest BCF herbicides showed higher Groundwater Ubiquity Score (GUS) index indicating high leaching potential. We did not find tebuthiuron in plants after three months of herbicide application.

A cana de açúcar é uma cultura importante para produção de açúcar e biocombustíveis no Brasil e exige elevada utilização de herbicidas. Utilizamos modelo matemático para ajudar na compreensão da absorção de herbicida dessa cultura. Propriedades físico-químicas dos herbicidas e propriedades fisiológicas das plantas de cana foram usados para estimar a absorção e também o fator de bioconcentração, bioconcentration factor (BCF), calculado para o equilíbrio químico entre a concentração do herbicida na planta e na solução do solo. O coeficiente de partição planta/água, a taxa de diluição de herbicida, o metabolismo e a dissipação no sistema solo-planta e biomassa total das plantas foram adicionados ao modelo. O herbicida tebuthiuron aplicado ao solo na dose de 5,0kg ha-1 i.a. foi utilizado para testar o modelo. A absorção dos herbicidas mostrada pelo modelo indicou em ordem o seguinte: sulfentrazone> picloram> tebuthiuron> hexazinone> metribuzin> simazina> ametryn> diuron> clomazone> acetochlor. Esses herbicidas com alto índice (BCF) também apresentaram alto índice de potencial de lixiviação para água subterrânea "Groundwater Ubiquity Score" (GUS). Tebuthiuron não foi encontrado nas plantas após três meses de aplicação.

Estimation of herbicide bioconcentration in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L. ) / Modelagem de bioconcentração de herbicidas em cana (Saccharum officinarum L. )

Sugarcane is an important crop for sugar and biofuel production in Brazil. Growers depend greatly on herbicides to produce it. This experiment used herbicide physical-chemical and sugarcane plant physiological properties to simulate herbicide uptake and estimate the bioconcentration factor (BCF). The (BCF) was calculated for the steady state chemical equilibrium between the plant herbicide concentration and soil solution. Plant-water partition coefficient (sugarcane bagasse-water partition coefficient), herbicide dilution rate, metabolism and dissipation in the soil-plant system, as well as total plant biomass factors were used. In addition, we added Tebuthiuron at rate of 5.0kg a.i. ha-1 to physically test the model. In conclusion, the model showed the following ranking of herbicide uptake: sulfentrazone > picloram >tebuthiuron > hexazinone > metribuzin > simazine > ametryn > diuron > clomazone > acetochlor. Furthermore, the highest BCF herbicides showed higher Groundwater Ubiquity Score (GUS) index indicating high leaching potential. We did not find tebuthiuron in plants after three months of herbicide application.(AU)

A cana de açúcar é uma cultura importante para produção de açúcar e biocombustíveis no Brasil e exige elevada utilização de herbicidas. Utilizamos modelo matemático para ajudar na compreensão da absorção de herbicida dessa cultura. Propriedades físico-químicas dos herbicidas e propriedades fisiológicas das plantas de cana foram usados para estimar a absorção e também o fator de bioconcentração, bioconcentration factor (BCF), calculado para o equilíbrio químico entre a concentração do herbicida na planta e na solução do solo. O coeficiente de partição planta/água, a taxa de diluição de herbicida, o metabolismo e a dissipação no sistema solo-planta e biomassa total das plantas foram adicionados ao modelo. O herbicida tebuthiuron aplicado ao solo na dose de 5,0kg ha-1 i.a. foi utilizado para testar o modelo. A absorção dos herbicidas mostrada pelo modelo indicou em ordem o seguinte: sulfentrazone> picloram> tebuthiuron> hexazinone> metribuzin> simazina> ametryn> diuron> clomazone> acetochlor. Esses herbicidas com alto índice (BCF) também apresentaram alto índice de potencial de lixiviação para água subterrânea "Groundwater Ubiquity Score" (GUS). Tebuthiuron não foi encontrado nas plantas após três meses de aplicação.(AU)