title: Phytoremediation trials on metal- and arsenic-contaminated pyrite wastes (Torviscosa, Italy).
abstract: At a site in Udine, Italy, a 0.7m layer of As, Co, Cu, Pb and Zn contaminated wastes derived from mineral roasting for sulphur extraction had been covered with an unpolluted 0.15m layer of gravelly soil. This study investigates whether woody biomass phytoremediation is a realistic management option. Comparing ploughing and subsoiling (0.35m depth), the growth of Populus and Salix and trace element uptake were investigated in both pot and field trials. Species differences were marginal and species selection was not critical. Impaired above-ground productivity and low translocation of trace elements showed that bioavailable contaminant stripping was not feasible. The most significant finding was of coarse and fine roots proliferation in surface layers that provided a significant sink for trace elements. We conclude that phytostabilisation and effective immobilisation of metals and As could be achieved at the site by soil amelioration combined with woody species establishment. Confidence to achieve a long-term and sustainable remediation requires a more complete quantification of root dynamics and a better understanding of rhizosphere processes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Parma, Viale G.P. Usberti 11/A, 43100 Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Teofilo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vamerali
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bandiera
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Coletto
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zanetti
authors.forename: Nicholas M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Dickinson
authors.forename: Giuliano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mosca
mesh_terms: D001151:Arsenic / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D018533:Biomass; D004463:Ecology / Q000379:methods; D006256:Hazardous Waste; D007501:Iron; D007558:Italy; D008669:Metallurgy; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development; D032107:Populus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D032108:Salix / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D013440:Sulfides
chemical_list: D006256:Hazardous Waste; D008670:Metals; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D013440:Sulfides; C011342:pyrite; D007501:Iron; D001151:Arsenic