Biomass, Nutrient, and Trace Element Accumulation and Partitioning in Cattail (Typha latifolia L.) during Wetland Phytoremediation of Municipal Biosolids. Issue 5 (1st September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jeke, Nicholson N.; Zvomuya, Francis; Cicek, Nazim; Ross, Lisette; Badiou, Pascal
• Is Part Of: Journal of Environmental Quality. Volume 44:Issue 5(2015)
• Page Start: 1541
• Page End: 1549
• Publication Date: 2015-09-01
• Subjects: Agricultural ecology -- Periodicals; Environmental engineering -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Periodicals; 630
• DOI: 10.2134/jeq2015.02.0064
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0047-2425

Abstract

Abstract : Biomass and contaminant accumulation and partitioning in plants determine the harvest stage for optimum contaminant uptake during phytoremediation of municipal biosolids. This wetland microcosm bioassay characterized accumulation and partitioning of biomass, nutrients (N and P), and trace elements (Zn, Cu, Cr, and Cd) in cattail ( Typha latifolia L.) in a growth room. Four cattail seedlings were transplanted into each 20‐L plastic pail containing 3.9 kg (dry wt.) biosolids from an end‐of‐life municipal lagoon. A 10‐cm‐deep water column was maintained above the 12‐cm‐thick biosolids layer. Plants were harvested every 14 d over a period of 126 d for determination of aboveground biomass (AGB) and belowground biomass (BGB) yields, along with contaminant concentrations in these plant tissues. Logistic model fits to biomass yield data indicated no significant difference in asymptotic yield between AGB and BGB. Aboveground biomass accumulated significantly greater amounts of N and P and lower amounts of trace elements than BGB. Maximum N accumulation in AGB occurred 83 d after transplanting (DAT), and peak P uptake occurred at 86 DAT. Harvesting at maximum aboveground accumulation removed (percent of the initial element concentration in the biosolids) 4% N, 3% P, 0.05% Zn, 0.6% Cu, 0.1% Cd, and 0.2% Cr. Therefore, under the conditions of this study, phytoremediation would be most effective if cattail is harvested at 86 DAT. These results contribute toward the identification of the harvest stage that will optimize contaminant uptake and enhance in situ phytoremediation of biosolids using cattail. Core Ideas: Wetland system using cattail can remove contaminants from biosolids. Wetland‐based phytoremediation is more effective with two harvests than one harvest. Phytoextraction is optimized if plants are harvested at maximum aboveground contaminant accumulation.