Growth, nutrient status, and photosynthetic response to diesel-contaminated soil of a cordgrass, Spartina argentinensis.
The present study was conduced to investigate the tolerance limits of Spartina argentinensis, which occurs in inland marshes of the Chaco-Pampean regions of Argentina, to diesel-contaminated soil. A glasshouse experiment was designed to investigate the effect of diesel fuel from 0% to 3% on growth and photosynthetic apparatus of S. densiflora by measuring gas exchange and photosynthetic pigments. We also performed chemical analysis of plant samples, and determined mycorrhizal index. Tiller and root biomasses declined with increasing diesel fuel concentration, as well as photosynthetic rate (A). Reductions in A could be accounted for by non-stomatal limitations. Mycorrhizal roots of S. argentinensis were reduced by the presence of diesel fuel, but did not affect its nutritional status; in fact, most element concentrations increased with diesel contamination. Despite the negative effect of diesel-contaminated soil, S. argentinensis continued growing, which could be useful management options for phytorremediation of diesel-contaminated soils.
Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Apartado 1095, 41080 Sevilla, Spain. Electronic address: susana@us.es.
Susana
S
Redondo-Gómez
Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y CIUNR, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Argentina.
María C
MC
Petenello
Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y CIUNR, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Argentina.
Susana R
SR
Feldman
D001118:Argentina; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D005742:Gasoline / Q000633:toxicity*; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006109:Poaceae / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*
D005742:Gasoline; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants
Diesel tolerance; Growth; Mycorrhizal index; Nutrient status; Photosynthesis; Soil contamination