title: Effect of EDTA washing of metal polluted garden soils. Part II: Can remediated soil be used as a plant substrate?
abstract: In a field experiment on metal contaminated and EDTA-remediated soil we studied plant performance, mycorrhizal associations and prospects of potential re-use of remediated soil as a garden substrate. Two experimental plots of 4 × 1 × 0.3 m were filled, one with remediated and the other with original contaminated soil. Selected cultivars were rotated over the course of 16months. Pb, Zn, Cd and micronutrient plant uptake was measured and their phytoaccessibility was analyzed by the DTPA method. Plant fitness was assessed by chlorophyll fluorescence and gas exchange measurements and evaluation of root colonization were analyzed with mycorrhizal fungi. Remediation reduced Pb and Cd concentrations in roots, green parts and fruits in most of the plants. Phytoaccumulation of Zn was reduced in one half of the cultivars. Some plants suffered from Mn deficiency as total soil Mn was reduced 4-fold and phytoaccessibility of micronutrients Cu, Fe and Mn for 54, 26 and 79%, respectively. Plant biomass was reduced. Photosynthetic parameters of plants grown in original and remediated soil were similar, except for the reduction in Spinacia oleracea. The frequency of mycorrhizal colonization in the roots of Pisum sativum was reduced five-fold and no significant changes were found in Allium cepa roots. Remediation reduced plant uptake of Pb below the concentration stipulated by legislation. Measures to reduce plant accumulation of other toxic metals and to revitalize remediated soil are needed.
authors.affiliation: Agronomy Department, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Masa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jelusic
authors.affiliation: Agronomy Department, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Dominik
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vodnik
authors.affiliation: Agronomy Department, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; FAMNIT, University of Primorska, Glagoljaška 8, 6000 Koper, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Irena
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Macek
authors.affiliation: Agronomy Department, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. Electronic address: domen.lestan@bf.uni-lj.si.
authors.forename: Domen
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lestan
mesh_terms: D005591:Chemical Fractionation; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000379:methods*; D051639:Gardening; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D063245:Plant Development; D017524:Slovenia; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D004492:Edetic Acid
keywords: Metal plant uptake; Mycorrhizae; Plant fitness; Remediated soil; Soil health