title: The Potential of the Ni-Resistant TCE-Degrading Pseudomonas putida W619-TCE to Reduce Phytotoxicity and Improve Phytoremediation Efficiency of Poplar Cuttings on A Ni-TCE Co-Contamination.
abstract: To examine the potential of Pseudomonas putida W619-TCE to improve phytoremediation of Ni-TCE co-contamination, the effects of inoculation of a Ni-resistant, TCE-degrading root endophyte on Ni-TCE phytotoxicity, Ni uptake and trichloroethylene (TCE) degradation of Ni-TCE-exposed poplar cuttings are evaluated. After inoculation with P. putida W619-TCE, root weight of non-exposed poplar cuttings significantly increased. Further, inoculation induced a mitigation of the Ni-TCE phytotoxicity, which was illustrated by a diminished exposure-induced increase in activity of antioxidative enzymes. Considering phytoremediation efficiency, inoculation with P. putida W619-TCE resulted in a 45% increased Ni uptake in roots as well as a slightly significant reduction in TCE concentration in leaves and TCE evapotranspiration to the atmosphere. These results indicate that endophytes equipped with the appropriate characteristics can assist their host plant to deal with co-contamination of toxic metals and organic contaminants during phytoremediation. Furthermore, as poplar is an excellent plant for biomass production as well as for phytoremediation, the obtained results can be exploited to produce biomass for energy and industrial feedstock applications in a highly productive manner on contaminated land that is not suited for normal agriculture. Exploiting this land for biomass production could contribute to diminish the conflict between food and bioenergy production.
authors.affiliation: a Hasselt University , Centre for Environmental Sciences , Diepenbeek , Belgium.
authors.forename: Nele
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Weyens
authors.forename: Bram
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Beckers
authors.forename: Kerim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schellingen
authors.forename: Reinhart
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ceulemans
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: van der Lelie
authors.forename: Lee
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Newman
authors.forename: Safiyh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Taghavi
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Carleer
authors.forename: Jaco
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vangronsveld
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000379:methods*; D009532:Nickel / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D032107:Populus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology; D016958:Pseudomonas putida / Q000378:metabolism*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014241:Trichloroethylene / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014241:Trichloroethylene; D009532:Nickel
keywords: Pseudomonas putida; co-contamination; endophytes; phytoremediation; poplar