Degradation of benzo[a]pyrene in an experimentally contaminated paddy soil by vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides).
A pot experiment was conducted to study the effect of growing vetiver grass on the biodegradation of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) under glasshouse conditions. Plant biomass, microbial biomass C and degradation of B[a]P were determined. B[a]P disappeared faster in the plant treatments than in unplanted controls. Disappearance of B[a]P was accompanied by an increase in soil microbial biomass C. Vetiver grass may promote the biodegradation of B[a]P under flooded conditions by plant roots by stimulating the microbial biomass. Microbial biomass was the main factor affecting dissipation of B[a]P under flooded conditions.
Li
H
H
Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 210008 Nanjing, China.
Luo
Y M
YM
Song
J
J
Wu
L H
LH
Christie
P
P
D001580:Benzopyrenes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D018533:Biomass; D049930:Chrysopogon / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007171:Implosive Therapy; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000254:growth & development; D018520:Plant Shoots / Q000254:growth & development; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity
D001580:Benzopyrenes; D012989:Soil Pollutants