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Textbook Phytoremediation of Environmental Pollutants 1St Edition Chandra Ebook All Chapter PDF
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Phytoremediation of
Environmental Pollutants
http://taylorandfrancis.com
Phytoremediation of
Environmental Pollutants
Edited by
Ram Chandra
N. K. Dubey
Vineet Kumar
CRC Press
Taylor & Francis Group
6000 Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300
Boca Raton, FL 33487-2742
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Trademark Notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identifi-
cation and explanation without intent to infringe.
Names: Chandra, Ram (Biotechnology professor), editor. | Dubey, N. K., editor. | Kumar, Vineet
(Vineet Kumar Rudra), editor.
Title: Phytoremediation of environmental pollutants / editors, Ram Chandra, N.K. Dubey and
Vineet Kumar.
Description: Boca Raton : Taylor & Francis, CRC Press, 2018. | Includes bibliographical references
and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017029046| ISBN 9781138062603 (hardback : alk. paper) | ISBN 9781315161549 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Phytoremediation.
Classification: LCC TD192.75 .P47835 2018 | DDC 628.4--dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017029046
Preface............................................................................................................................................. vii
Editors...............................................................................................................................................ix
Contributors.....................................................................................................................................xi
v
vi Contents
13. Phytoremediation as a Green and Clean Tool for Textile Dye Pollution
Abatement............................................................................................................................. 327
Niraj R. Rane, Rahul V. Khandare, Anuprita D. Watharkar, and Sanjay P. Govindwar
Index.............................................................................................................................................. 487
Preface
The discharge of complex environmental pollutants from various industrial sectors has
created a challenge for scientists and environmentalists concerning the sustainable devel-
opment of mankind. Currently, the management of pollutants present in soil, water,
air, and food is a serious problem worldwide due to its direct effect on human health.
Consequently, the problems of global warming, climate change, change in biodiversity,
and extinction of numerous important flora and fauna have been observed by scientific
communities the world over.
Therefore, international researchers have reoriented their minds for environmental
waste management and bioremediation of toxic compounds present in the environment.
However, microbial technologies’ current cleanup techniques are not offering real solu-
tions for removal of complex toxic pollutants and safe recycling of natural resources. There
is a growing need among remediation professionals for effective, affordable, nonpollut-
ing alternatives to energy-intensive engineering processes for sustainable development.
Therefore, phytoremediation has recently arisen as an important technique to augment
the bioremediation process because it is an emerging green technology that uses a broad
range of plants to remediate soil, sediment, surface water, and groundwater environmen-
tal contaminants with toxic metals, organics, pesticides, and radionuclides.
Consequently, convergences of phytoremediation and microbial bioremediation strate-
gies have been suggested as a more successful approach for remediation of contaminants,
particularly organic compounds. Microbe-assisted phytoremediation with naturally
occurring microbes deliberately stimulated via seed inoculation has been investigated
in in situ and ex situ conditions globally for the real solution of problems for sustain-
able development. Further, to investigate the mechanism of plant–microbe interaction
for detoxification of complex pollutants, a variety of contaminant-degrading enzymes
(i.e., peroxidases, dioxygenases, laccases, P450 monooxygenases, phosphotases, dehaloge-
nases, and nitroreductases) has been reported in plants, fungi, and endophytic and rhi-
zospheric bacteria. But, this knowledge is fragmentary, specific, and limited to only a few
researchers. Therefore, the application of suitable technology for sustainable development
is still urgently warranted.
Hence, the aim of this book is to provide and disseminate detailed, up-to-date knowl-
edge regarding the various aspects of phytoremediation and plant–microbe interaction
to researchers, students, and industry professionals to inspire collective responsibility
to develop innovative technology for ecological restoration and environmental health.
Therefore, this book has compiled timely knowledge of various process and molecular
mechanisms for industrial waste detoxification during phytoremediation in wetland plants.
In addition, the book has highlighted phytoextraction speciation potential and adaptation
of hyperaccumulator wetland plants for the detoxification of heavy metals from organic
waste for ecorestoration. Further, the book has illustrated details regarding siderophore
formation and nutrient availability during plant–microbe interaction in rhizospheric
zones of plants growing in polluted environments.
The book has also provided the rare knowledge for in situ and ex situ phytoextraction
potential of common weeds growing on heavy metal–polluted sites for ecorestoration and
recycling of natural resources. The book has placed special emphasis on the role of endo-
phytic bacteria for phytoremediation of environmental pollutants during plant–microbe
vii
viii Preface
interaction in the presence of heavy metals. Lastly, the book has imbibed the special
knowledge on constructed wetland treatment systems as a promising technology for treat-
ment and recycling of hazardous wastewater, which is a plant–microbe-based technol-
ogy required in the current scenario for treatment of complex wastewater generated from
textile and agrobased industries. The book has also covered adequate knowledge on phy-
tocapping, vermicomposting, and life cycle assessment of environmental pollutants as a
new technique and tools for monitoring of environmental pollutants. Thus, this book will
be a unique compendium of up-to-date knowledge on phytoremediation of environmental
pollutants contributed by various experts in this area from universities, government labo-
ratories, and other academic global institutions.
Editors
ix
http://taylorandfrancis.com
Contributors
xi
xii Contributors
Shivani Uniyal
Department of Botany
Banaras Hindu University
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
1
Phytoremediation: A Green Sustainable
Technology for Industrial Waste Management
CONTENTS
1.1 Introduction.............................................................................................................................2
1.2 Categories of Phytoremediation, Their Principles, and Their Applications.................. 3
1.2.1 Phytoextraction....................................................................................................... 4
1.2.1.1 Bioconcentration and Translocation Factors............................................ 5
1.2.1.2 Bioaccumulation Factor and Phytoextraction Rate.................................6
1.2.1.3 Metal Extraction Amount and Phytoremediation Time........................7
1.2.1.4 Types of Phytoextraction.......................................................................... 7
1.2.2 Phytofiltration.............................................................................................................. 8
1.2.2.1 Rhizofiltration..............................................................................................8
1.2.2.2 Caulofiltration............................................................................................. 11
1.2.2.3 Blastofiltration............................................................................................ 11
1.2.3 Phytostabilization..................................................................................................... 12
1.2.4 Phytovolatilization.................................................................................................... 14
1.2.4.1 Direct Phytovolatilization......................................................................... 15
1.2.4.2 Indirect Phytovolatilization...................................................................... 16
1.2.5 Phytodegradation................................................................................................. 16
1.2.6 Rhizodegradation............................................................................................ 17
1.2.7 Phytodesalination..................................................................................................... 18
1.3 Categories of Plants That Grow on Metal-Contaminated Sites.................................... 18
1.3.1 Metal Excluders......................................................................................................... 18
1.3.2 Metal Indicators........................................................................................................ 19
1.3.3 Accumulators.....................................................................................................19
1.4 Mechanisms for Heavy Metal Tolerance, Accumulation, and Detoxification
in Plants.................................................................................................................................. 19
1.4.1 Tolerance in Plants.................................................................................................... 20
1.4.2 Accumulation and Detoxification in Plants.......................................................... 21
1.5 Mechanisms of Organic Pollutant Detoxification in Plants........................................... 21
1.5.1 Sorption, Uptake, and Translocation of Organic Compounds to Roots........... 21
1.5.2 Enzymatic Transformation of Organic Compounds...........................................22
1.6 Phytoremediation of Complex Industrial Wastes............................................................ 24
1.6.1 Distillery Wastes....................................................................................................... 24
1.6.2 Pulp and Paper Mill Wastes.................................................................................... 27
1.6.3 Tannery Wastes......................................................................................................... 30
1.6.4 Textile Wastes............................................................................................................ 32
1
2 Phytoremediation of Environmental Pollutants
1.6.5 Agrochemicals........................................................................................................... 32
1.6.6 Petroleum Waste.............................................................................................. 33
1.7 Advantages, Limitations, and Disadvantages of Phytoremediation.............................34
1.8 Challenges and Future Perspectives of Phytoremediation in Environmental
Waste Management.............................................................................................................. 35
1.9 Conclusions............................................................................................................................ 36
Acknowledgments......................................................................................................................... 36
References........................................................................................................................................ 36
1.1 Introduction
Global industrialization, urbanization, and population in the last two decades have
resulted in the generation of huge quantities of toxic waste. This hazardous waste includes
a variety of organic and inorganic compounds which pose serious threats to ecosystems.
Organic contaminants include different compounds such as petroleum hydrocarbons (e.g.,
benzopyrene), chlorinated solvents (i.e., polychlorinated benzenes, also known as PCBs),
linear halogenated hydrocarbons (e.g., trichloroethylene), volatile organic carbons, and
explosives such as trinitrotoluene. Inorganic compounds include nitrates, phosphates, met-
als and metalloids, such as mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium
(Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se), silver (Ag), and zinc (Zn), and nonradioactive
or radioactive nuclides, like uranium (U), strontium (Sr), and cesium (Cs). Despite require-
ments for pollution control measures, these wastes are generally dumped on land or dis-
charged into water bodies (rivers, canals, lakes, etc.) without adequate treatment, and thus
they become a large source of environmental pollution and health hazards. It is, therefore,
urgent to adequately remove these pollutants from contaminated sites. Contamination of
soil and water poses major environmental concerns in the present scenario. A wide range
of methods based on not only physical and chemical but also biological means have been
available for the remediation of soil and water for decades, but environmental preservation
requires development of more sustainable approaches that promise thorough, economical,
and environmentally friendly ways, compared to conventional methods (Salt et al. 1995).
In recent decades, phytoremediation has provided a cost-effective, long-lasting, and aes-
thetic solution for remediation of hazardous pollutants from contaminated sites (Kramer
2005, Suresh and Ravishankar 2004). The idea that plants can be used for environmental
remediation is very old and cannot be traced to any particular source (Raskin et al. 1997).
About 300 years ago, plants were proposed for use in the treatment of wastewater. The term
phytoremediation (“phyto” meaning plants and the Latin suffix “remedium” meaning to
clear or restore) refers to a diverse collection of plant-based green technologies that use
either naturally occurring or genetically engineered plants to remove, transfer, stabilize,
and/or degrade contaminants located in soil, sediment, and water (Cunningham et al. 1997,
Newman and Reynolds 2004). Phytoremediation has also been called green remediation,
botano-remediation, agroremediation, and vegetative remediation (Chaney et al. 1997).
It is socially accepted by surrounding communities and regulatory agencies as a poten-
tially effective and beautiful technology (Newman and Reynolds 2005). A number of green
plants, including herbs, shrubs, and trees (both terrestrial and aquatic) have been reported
to be endowed with magnificent abilities for restoration and reclamation of contaminated
environments (Yoon et al. 2006, Gupta and Sinha 2007a, Qixing et al. 2011). Plants naturally
provide roots, stems, and leaves as habitats for a wide array of microorganisms which can
Phytoremediation 3
break down contaminants, enhancing the treatment process. Plants, through several nat-
ural biophysical and biochemical processes, such as adsorption, transport and transloca-
tion, hyperaccumulation or transformation, and mineralization, can remediate pollutants.
Recently, Environment Canada released a database, PHYTOREM (PHYTOREmediation of
Metals), which contains a worldwide inventory of 775 terrestrial and aquatic plants with
capabilities for accumulating or hyperaccumulating one or several of the 19 key metal-
lic elements (Padmavathiamma and Li 2007). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) also maintains a website for researchers and the general public with information on
the growing field of phytoremediation (http://www.clu-in.org).
The purpose of this chapter is to provide a concise discussion of the processes associated
with the use of phytoremediation as a cleanup and decontamination technique for remedia-
tion of hazardous industrial waste-contaminated sites. In this chapter, we describe various
processes of phytoremediation, including phytoextraction, phytofiltration, phytostabili-
zation, phytovolatilization, phytodegradation, rhizodegradation, and phytodesalination,
with special emphasis on remediation of organic and inorganic pollutants. We also discuss
the potential and challenges of phytoremediation strategies for the removal of organic and
inorganic pollutants from contaminated sites, and we provide some information on costs.
Furthermore, the use of transgenic plants in phytoremediation progress is highlighted.
1. Phytoextraction: The use of plants that absorb pollutants and accumulate them
in organs removed from fields, together with crops, in order to purify soil from
heavy metal and organic substance contamination
2. Phytofiltration: Use of plant roots, seedlings, and excised shoots, which also take
up stored contaminants from an aqueous growth matrix
3. Phytostabilization: Plant-mediated immobilization or binding of contaminants
into the soil matrix, thereby reducing their bioavailability
4. Phytovolatilization: Contaminant uptake by plants and volatilization into the
atmosphere
5. Phytodegradation: The use of plants and associated microorganisms to degrade
organic pollutants
6. Rhizodegradation: Enhancement of degradation of organic pollutants in the plant
root zone by microorganisms
4 Phytoremediation of Environmental Pollutants
Phytovolatilization
excretion of volatile pollutants
Phytoextraction
metal accumulation in plant biomass
Harvest of shoot
Biomass can be
-reduced (compaction, composting, thermal Phytodegradation
treatment) for disposal in-plant detoxification of organic pollutants
-used to metal recovery (phytomining)
Phase-III Phase-I
Rhizofiltration
adsorption or precipitation of metal on root
Phytoextraction
metal accumulation in plant root
Metals
Stabilized metals
Organic pollutants
Stabilized organic pollutants Phytouptake of pollutants
Uptake of metals and organic pollutants
FIGURE 1.1
Schematic representation of various phytoremediation strategies.
1.2.1 Phytoextraction
Phytoextraction, also called phytoaccumulation, phytoabsorption, or phytosequestration,
refers to the use of plants to absorb, translocate, and store toxic contaminants from soil, sedi-
ments, and/or sludge in the root and shoot tissues (Salt et al. 1998, Garbisu and Alkorta 2001).
Phytoextraction is the most recognized and applied phytoremediation technique for the
removal of toxic metals from contaminated environments (Figure 1.2). The idea of using plants
to extract metals from contaminated soil was introduced and developed by Utsunamyia (1980)
and Chaney (1983). Phytoextraction requires long-term maintenance and routine harvesting
of the plants, as well as safe disposal of polluted plant materials. The cost involved in phy-
toextraction, when compared with the those of conventional soil remediation techniques, is
10-fold lower. This means that phytoextraction is a cost-effective technique (Salt et al. 1995).
Phytoextraction does not work for some metals, including Pb, but it can be effective for As, Cd,
and Ni removal. Phytoextraction occurs in the root zone of the plant. The root zone may typi-
cally be relatively shallow, with the bulk of the root at a shallower rather than a deeper depth.
This can be a limitation of phytoextraction. Numerous factors, including pH of wastewater and
sediment, mobilization and uptake from soil, compartmentalization and sequestration within
Phytoremediation 5
• Transpiration rate
• Growth and biomass of
plant services
Contaminated soil
Accumulation
Factor affecting phytoextraction
of metals
• Soil pH, type, texture,
moisture, organic matter
Redox potential
• Rhizosphere microorganisms
• Plant root depth and density
Rhizosphere bacteria • Rhizosphere exudates and
secreation
Metal
Organic pollutants
Rhizosphere
FIGURE 1.2
Illustration of phytoextraction and factors that affect its efficacy.
the root, efficiency of xylem loading and transport (transfer factors), distribution between
metal sinks in the aerial parts, sequestration and storage in leaf cells, and plant growth and
transpiration rates can also affect the remediation process of a contaminated site. Generally,
the ideal plants to be used in phytoextraction should have the following characteristics
be estimated using the bioconcentration factor (BCF), which is defined as the ratio of the
metal concentration in the root of the plant to that in the soil/sludge (Yoon et al. 2006,
Gupta and Sinha 2007b). A plant’s ability to translocate metals from the root to the shoot is
measured using the translocation factor (TF), which is defined as the metal concentration
in the shoots versus that in the roots (Deng et al. 2004, Yoon et al. 2006). The BCF and TF
are calculated by the following equations.
The evaluation and selection of plants for phytoremediation purposes entirely depend on
the BCF and TF (MacFarlane et al. 2007). The BCF is a more important measure than the
shoot metal concentration when considering the potential of a given candidate species
for phytoextraction. A plant with both BCF and TF values of >1 has potential for use in
phytoextraction (Yoon et al. 2006). In addition, a plant with a BCF of >1 and TF of <1 has
potential for phytostabilization (Fitz and Wenzel 2002). However, the heavy metal uptake
by the roots and the successive translocation to the aboveground plant parts and organs
are primarily driven by the plant’s transpirational pool. Together with translocation to
aboveground organs, the distribution and accumulation of heavy metals in the different
organs of the plant also represent key factors for successful phytoremediation.
where Mplant is the mass of the harvestable aboveground plant biomass produced in one
harvest, Cplant is the metal concentration in the harvested component of the plant biomass,
Phytoremediation 7
Mrooted zone is the mass of the soil volume rooted by the species under study, and Csoil is the
metal concentration in the soil volume.
The total metal distribution rate for a plant part is determined to identify roots or aerial
parts that are accumulators; the rate is calculated using the following equation:
(
Rate = [M]ij × DWi × 100 ) (∑ I [M] × DW )
i i
where [M]ij represents the j heavy metal content in plant part i (i.e., roots, stems, leaves, and
shoots) and DWi represents the weight of part i (Santos-Jallath et al. 2012).
1.2.1.4 Types of Phytoextraction
According to Salt et al. (1998), there are two basic strategies of phytoextraction:
1. Chelate-assisted phytoextraction
2. Continuous phytoextraction
1.2.1.4.1 Chelate-Assisted Phytoextraction
Chelate-assisted phytoextraction is also called induced phytoextraction. The phytoex-
traction mechanism has its own limitations, e.g., low mobility and low bioavailability of
some heavy metals (especially Pb) in polluted environments. An increase of heavy metal
mobility can be achieved by adding synthetic chelating agents which are capable of solu-
bilizing and complexing with heavy metals in a soil solution as well as promoting heavy
metal translocation from roots to the harvestable parts of the plant (Evangelou et al. 2007).
Chelating agents have been used as soil extractants and to maintain the solubility of
trace elements in hydroponic solutions. This strategy of phytoextraction is based on
the fact that the application of metal chelates to a soil significantly enhances metal
accumulation in plants. Enhancing metal accumulation in existing high-yielding crop
plants without diminishing their yield is the most feasible strategy in the develop-
ment of phytoremediation. To improve the metal accumulation capacities and uptake
speed of nonhyperaccumulating plants, the addition of chelating agents has been pro-
posed. Several studies have reported that the application of chelating agents, such as
ethylene diamine triacetic acid (EDTA), N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-ethylene diaminetriacetic
8 Phytoremediation of Environmental Pollutants
1.2.1.4.2 Continuous Phytoextraction
The process of phytoextraction via use of hyperaccumulator plants is called continuous
phytoextraction. Continuous phytoextraction generally depends on the natural ability of
plants to accumulate, translocate, and resist high amounts of metals over the complete
growth cycle (Garbiscu and Alkorta 2001). Continuous phytoextraction is also environ-
mentally friendly, as it leaves the site suitable for cultivation of other plants. In urbanized
areas, continuous phytoextraction may be used in two types of sites. One type comprises
degraded soils in postindustrial areas, while the other, which is a highly promising future
application of phytoextraction, is connected with soils in the vicinity of transportation
routes and in urban green areas. The phytoextraction potentials of ornamental plant spe-
cies that are most frequently planted in urban locations are under investigation in many
research centers worldwide. Such species include Tagetes erecta L.
1.2.2 Phytofiltration
Phytofiltration is a cost-competitive technology that is primarily used to remediate or
adsorb pollutants, mainly metals, from water and aqueous waste streams (Dushenkov et al.
1995). Phytofiltration may be achieved via rhizofiltration, blastofiltration, or caulofiltration.
1.2.2.1 Rhizofiltration
Rhizofiltration is a root zone technology in which terrestrial and aquatic plants interact
with pollutants present in wastewater (Figure 1.3). It reduces the mobility of contaminants
and prevents their migration to the groundwater, thus reducing bioavailability for entry
into the food chain. Rhizofiltration can be used for metals that are retained only within
the roots (U.S. EPA 2000a). It is particularly effective and economically compelling when
low concentrations of contaminants and a large volume of water are involved. An ideal
plant for rhizofiltration should comprise rapidly growing roots with the ability to remove
toxic metals from solution over an extended period of time. The advantages of rhizofiltra-
tion include it ability to be used as in in situ or ex situ applications, and species other than
hyperaccumulators can also be used. The production of hydroponically grown transplants
and the maintenance of successful hydroponic systems in the field requires the expertise
of qualified personnel, and the facilities and specialized equipment required can increase
overhead costs.
Rhizofiltration works via several physical and biochemical processes, such as adsorption,
precipitation, rhizodegradation, and bioaccumulation. Rhizofiltration of metals involves
the absorption into or adsorption or precipitation onto plant roots of metals present in
a complex industrial wastewater. In addition to surface absorption, other slower mecha-
nisms underlying rhizofiltration may also occur: these include biological processes (intra-
cellular uptake, deposition in vacuoles, and translocation to the shoot) or precipitation of
the metal from the wastewater by the action of plant exudates. Based upon the nature of
pollutants present in wastewater, rhizofiltration processes may occur with phytoextrac-
tion, phytostabilization, or phytovolatilization processes. The efficiency of the mechanism
Wetland plants
Phytoremediation
FIGURE 1.3
Simplified schematic of a subsurface horizontal flow CW used for wastewater treatment.
9
10 Phytoremediation of Environmental Pollutants
of rhizofiltration lies in the efficiency of roots to synthesize certain chemicals which cause
heavy metals to accumulate in the plant body and then precipitate on the plant root sur-
face. Several aquatic species have been identified and tested for their phytoremediation
capacities in removing heavy metals from polluted waters. These species include sharp
dock (Polygonum amphibium L.), duck weed (Lemna minor L.), water hyacinth (Eichhornia
crassipes), water lettuce (P. stratiotes), water dropwort [Oenathe javanica (BL) DC], calamus
(Lepironia articulate), pennywort (Hydrocotyle umbellate L.) (Zaranyika and Ndapwadza 1995,
Zayed et al. 1998). However, these plants have limited potential for rhizofiltration, because
they are not efficient in removing metals due to their small, slow-growing roots. Sunflower
(Helianthus annus L.) and Indian mustard (Brassica juncea Czern.) are the most promising
terrestrial candidates for removing metals from contaminated water. The roots of Indian
mustard have been found to be effective in removal of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn, and sun-
flower can remove Pb, U, 137Cs, and 90Sr from hydroponic solutions (Dushenkov et al. 1995,
Prasad and Freitas 2003).
been demonstrated in many studies. These systems provide habitats for wildlife and as a
consequence, increased biodiversity; thus, they can be implemented to restore degraded
areas. The advantages of wetland plants include their ability to be used as in situ or ex situ
applications and can include plant species other than hyperaccumulators. However, one of
the limitations for CW is the requirement of a large land area to achieve proper pollutant
removal, due to the low hydraulic loading rate. It is necessary then to find the optimal CW
design characteristics in order to maximize pollutant removal efficiencies and to keep the
treatment area to a minimum. The main parameters that affect the removal efficiency of
CW are the hydraulic residence time and temperature. A well-designed CW should be able
to maintain the wetland’s hydraulic properties, namely, the hydraulic loading rate (HLR)
and the hydraulic retentention time (HRT), as these factors affect the treatment perfor-
mance of a CW. The HRT is determined by the mean surface area of the wetland system
(A), the flow depth (y), and the porosity of the substrate (p), i.e., the space available for water
to flow through the media, roots, and other solids in a CW system (Ghosh and Gopal 2010).
A CW requires a large land area to achieve proper pollutant removal, due to low HLRs:
where Q (in liters per day) is the design flow rate, an assumed constant A (in square meters)
is the mean surface area of the system, V (in cubic meters) is the system volume, and y (in
meters) is the flow depth.
In these systems, the wastewater is fed into the system at an inlet and it flows slowly
through the porous media under the surface of the bed in a more or less horizontal path
until it reaches the outlet zone, where it is collected before leaving a level control arrange-
ment at the outlet (Figure 1.3). During its passage through the system, the wastewater
comes into contact with a network of aerobic, anoxic, and anaerobic zones. There are dif-
ferent CW types, depending on the flow type, and these can be divided into the subsur-
face flow (which includes vertical and horizontal subsurface flow CWs, depending on the
direction of the flow) and the surface flow (which includes the free water table on top of
the soil).
1.2.2.2 Caulofiltration
The term caulofiltration (with the Latin root caulis, for shoot) was first proposed by
Mesjasz-Przybyłowicz et al. in 2004, when excised plant shoots were used for removal of
heavy metals from contaminated wastewater (Figure 1.4a). In the study, the metals were
absorbed or adsorbed, and thus their movement in underground water was minimized.
Mesjasz-Przybyłowicz et al. (2004) used a nickel-hyperaccumulating plant, Berkheya cod-
dii, for phytoextraction and phytofiltration of the heavy metals from the wastewater; they
immersed the cut ends of shoots (excised shoots) in concentrated solutions of Cd, Ni, Pb, or
Zn and observed that large amounts of these metals accumulated in the leaves.
1.2.2.3 Blastofiltration
Blastofiltration is based on a concept similar to that of rhizofiltartion, but with blasto-
filtration plant seedlings are used for the removal of heavy metals from aqueous solu-
tions. Blastofiltration may turn out to be an alternative plant-based wastewater treatment
technology that takes advantage of the fast increase in the surface area-to-volume ratio
12 Phytoremediation of Environmental Pollutants
Excised plant
shoot
Plant seeding
Wastewater
(a) (b)
FIGURE 1.4
Removal of heavy metals in contaminated wastewater through caulofiltration (a), and blastofiltration (b).
after germination and the ability of the seedlings employed to absorb large quantities of
heavy metals, thus making this method suitable for wastewater treatment (Figure 1.4b).
The mechanisms involved in biosorption processes include chemisorption, complexation,
ion exchange, microprecipitation, hydroxide condensation onto a biosurface, and surface
adsorption. Lin et al. (2002) researched six kinds of crop seedlings for the capacity to
remove Pb from water via the blastofiltration method. Under the selected experimental
conditions, they found that a concentration of 100 mg/L Pb was reduced to below 5 mg/L
Pb in 72 h. In the dry roots of sunflower, pea, or castor oil plants, Pb accumulated to 91.6,
40.7, and 52.8 mg/g, respectively, while corn and Chinese sorghum also exhibited an abil-
ity for accumulation of Pb in the roots. Several traditional crop seedlings with a “super-
accumulation tendency” have been suggested for better blastofiltration prospects in the
phytoremediation of Pb pollution in water. It was recently reported that young seedlings
of Indian mustard may be as effective as roots in removing heavy metals from water when
grown in aquaculture in aerated water.
1.2.3 Phytostabilization
Phytostabilization, also called in situ or in place inactivation or phytimmobilization,
is another strategy by which plant species can reduce the mobility and biovailability
of pollutants in the environment, via either immobilization or prevention of migration
(U.S. EPA 2000a,b). In this process, certain plant species immobilize contaminants in
the soil through adsorption and accumulation by the roots, adsorption on roots, or
precipitation within the root zone and physical stabilization of soil, reducing the risk
to human health and environment (Barcelo and Poschenrieder 2003). The phytostabi-
lization technique is useful for immobilizing many heavy metals, for example, Pb, As,
Cd, Cr, Cu, and Zn. In addition, phytostabilization can be used to restore vegetation
cover in areas with limited vegetation that has resulted due to high levels of pollu-
tion. The microorganisms (bacteria and mycorrhiza) living in the rhizosphere of these
plants also have an important role in these processes: not only can they actively con-
tribute to change the trace element speciation, but also they can assist the plants in
Phytoremediation 13
TABLE 1.1
Some Plants Capable of Phytostabilization of Heavy Metals
Plant Species Metal(s) Reference
Isocoma veneta (Kunth) Greene Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, Zn Gonzalez & Gonzalez-Chavez 2006
Teloxys graveolens Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, Zn Gonzalez & Gonzalez-Chavez 2006
Euphorbia sp. Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, Zn Gonzalez & Gonzalez-Chavez 2006
Dalea bicolor Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd. Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, Zn Gonzalez & Gonzalez-Chavez 2006
Lygeum spartum L. Cu, Pb, Zn Conesa et al. 2006
Piptatherum miliaceum L. Coss. Cu, Pb, Zn Conesa et al. 2006
Atriplex lentiformis (Torr.) S. Wats. As, Cu, Mn, Pb, Zn Mendez et al. 2007
Atriplex canescens (Pursh) Nutt. As, Hg, Mn, Pb Rosario et al. 2007
Bidens humilis Ag, As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn Bech et al. 2002
Baccharis neglecta Britt. As Flores-Tavizon et al. 2003
Schinus molle L. Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, Zn Gonzalez & Gonzalez-Chavez 2006
14 Phytoremediation of Environmental Pollutants
1.2.4 Phytovolatilization
The release of volatile contaminants to the atmosphere via plant transpiration is known
as phytovolatilization (Figure 1.5). Phytovolatilization is a specialized form of phytotrans-
formation that can be used only for those contaminants that are highly volatile in nature
(Terry et al. 2000). It is a complex process driven by biophysical mechanisms of mass trans-
port through vegetation. Contaminants like Hg, As, and Se, once they are taken up by
plant roots, can be converted into nontoxic forms and volatilized into the atmosphere from
the roots, shoots, or leaves (U.S. EPA 2000b). During the process of Se phytovolatiliza-
tion, plants metabolize various inorganic or organic species of Se (e.g., selenate, selenite,
and Se-Met [Met]) into a gaseous form (Berken et al. 2002). Se volatilization in the form
of methyl selenate was proposed as major mechanism of Se removal from soil. Indian
mustard (Brassica juncea) has a high rate of Se accumulation and volatilization, and also
a fast growth rate, making it a promising species for Se remediation (Pilon-Smits et al.
1999). Recently, S-adenosyl-l-Met:l-Met S-methyltransferase, an enzyme involved in the
Direct
Phytoevaporation phytovolatilization
Air
Soil
Gas exchange
Indirect
phytovolatilization
Pollutants
Uptake of pollutants
FIGURE 1.5
Various processes in the phytovolatilization method.
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Author: E. G. Kemp
Language: English
A Temple of Healing.
CHINESE METTLE
Written and Illustrated by E. G. KEMP, F.R.S.G.S.
Author of “The Face of China,” “The Face of Manchuria, Korea
and Russian Turkestan,” “Wanderings in Chinese Turkestan,”
“Reminiscences of a Sister” illustrated....
Printed in 1921
DEDICATED
TO
MY CHINESE FRIENDS
Prologue
Index 223
Illustrations
PAGE
A Temple of Healing Frontispiece
A Chinese Ritz 40
Yen Hsi Shan, Statesman 48
Temple of Heaven and Hell, Workhouse 56
The Pilgrim Way, Yünnanfu Lake 72
In Cloudland 72
The Gate of the Elements 80
“Lonely I Stand on the Loneliest Hill-top” 96
Robbers’ Haunts 104
Light for the Spirits 112
Little Flowery Miao Coat 120
Ancient I-chia Script 128
Great Flowery Miao 136
A Roadside Restaurant 136
A Man of Mark 160
A Chinese Leader of Thought 176
“Nor soul helps body more
Than body soul.” 184
“Girls,
Knowledge is now no more a fountain seal’d:
Drink deep.” 184
Storm-driven Boats 208
Chinese Mettle
Introduction
Chapter I
The Long Road
matter and well arranged. The train goes down to the Yangtze at
Chen Kiang, and the steam tug takes you across in about ten
minutes. At the other side we got into a more comfortable train
where we had secured sleeping places; in all the long-distance trains
there are restaurant cars, where you can get fairly good meals at
reasonable prices.
The next afternoon we reached Tientsin at 4.40, and had to
change into a crowded train to Peking; there is always, I believe, a
sort of free fight to get in at all, and the weakest go to the wall,
except in the case of children, for the Chinese are very fond of
children, and never fail to make room for them. Peking is reached by
8 p.m. After leaving the train we passed through two great old
gateways, linking Past and Present, to another railway station close
at hand, and had only sufficient time to get our luggage through the
customs, and to start at 9.30 on the Peking-Hankow line for the
junction at Shihchiah Chwang. It is not pleasant to do cross-country
travelling in any country at night, and to reach a place at 4.20 a.m.
on a cold February morning where you have to change stations
would be far too difficult a matter for foreigners were it not for
mission friends. They never seem to think anything of such trifles as
spending nights looking after helpless travellers. We soon got all our
goods and chattels out, and handed them over to a Chinese, whom
our friend had engaged to look after them till the train left at 7 a.m.
for Taiyuanfu. Meanwhile he escorted us to a clean inn, and
comforted us with tea and cake and bedding till it was time to start.
The bright cold dawn saw us off once more at 6 o’clock, rather
enjoying a walk to the station; there we got into quite a comfortable
train, and our friend travelled with us back to his own station, the first
up the line. All day we passed through fascinating scenery, often
following the course of a river, where turbine water-wheels in groups
were busy grinding corn.
The line was only begun in 1903 by a French company, but the
Chinese have bought it up, and it ought to be increasingly valuable,
chiefly for the transport of coal, in which product Shansi is specially
rich. How well I remember in the old days seeing the long files of
donkeys, each laden with basketfuls of coal, slowly wending their
way across the plains and over the hills; whereas now the railway
taps some of the chief coal-mines in the Pingtau district. The seams
are from eleven to thirty feet in thickness and quite near the surface,
and the coal is of excellent quality. The length of the line is only one
hundred and fifty-five miles, and we did it in nine hours, whereas on
my first journey we were more than nine days travelling up by mule
litter and on horseback!
The railway station at Taiyuanfu is outside the great city wall, and
we saw as we approached it fine new barracks—Governor Yen has
had a macadamized road built to reach one of his barracks, leading
through a gate which has been closed over three hundred years.