title: Combined phytoremediation of metal-working fluids with maize plants inoculated with different microorganisms and toxicity assessment of the phytoremediated waste.
abstract: The aim of this study was to validate the effectiveness of a phytoremediation procedure for metal-working fluids (MWFs) with maize plants growing in hydroponic culture in which the roots grow on esparto fibre and further improve bioremediation potential of the system with root beneficial bacteria, seeking a synergistic effect of the plant-microorganism combination. Chemical oxygen demand (COD), pH, total and type of hydrocarbons measured after phytoremediation indicated that the process with maize plants was successful, as demonstrated by the significant decrease in the parameters measured. This effect was mainly due to the plant although inoculated microorganisms had a relevant effect on the type of remaining hydrocarbons. The success of the phytoremediation process was further confirmed by two toxicity tests, one of them based on chlorophyll fluorescence measurements on maize plants and another one based on cyanobacteria, using a bioluminescent toxicity bioassay; both tests demonstrated that the phytoremediated waste was significantly less toxic than the initial non-phytoremediated MWFs.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo CEU, Urb. Monteprincipe, Boadilla del Monte, 28668 Madrid, Spain. alucgar@ceu.es
authors.forename: Jose A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lucas García
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Grijalbo
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.forename: Francisca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fernández-Piñas
authors.forename: Ismael
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rodea-Palomares
authors.forename: Francisco J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Gutierrez-Mañero
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D018675:Toxicity Tests; D003313:Zea mays / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D012989:Soil Pollutants