title: Evaluation of Ricinus communis L. for the Phytoremediation of Polluted Soil with Organochlorine Pesticides.
abstract: Phytoremediation is an attractive alternative to conventional treatments of soil due to advantages such as low cost, large application areas, and the possibility of in situ treatment. This study presents the assessment of phytoremediation processes conducted under controlled experimental conditions to evaluate the ability of Ricinus communis L., tropical plant species, to promote the degradation of 15 persistent organic pollutants (POPs), in a 66-day period. The contaminants tested were hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), DDT, heptachlor, aldrin, and others. Measurements made in rhizosphere soil indicate that the roots of the studied species reduce the concentration of pesticides. Results obtained during this study indicated that the higher the hydrophobicity of the organic compound and its molecular interaction with soil or root matrix the greater its tendency to concentrate in root tissues and the research showed the following trend: HCHs < diclofop-methyl < chlorpyrifos < methoxychlor < heptachlor epoxide < endrin < o,p'-DDE < heptachlor < dieldrin < aldrin < o,p'-DDT < p,p'-DDT by increasing order of log K ow values. The experimental results confirm the importance of vegetation in removing pollutants, obtaining remediation from 25% to 70%, and demonstrated that Ricinus communis L. can be used for the phytoremediation of such compounds.
authors: Department of Chemistry, Paulista State University (UNESP), CP 473, 17033-360 Bauru, SP, Brazil ; Department of Physics, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), 13565-905 São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
authors: Sandra Regina
authors: SR
authors: Rissato
authors: Department of Chemistry, Paulista State University (UNESP), CP 473, 17033-360 Bauru, SP, Brazil.
authors: Mário Sergio
authors: MS
authors: Galhiane
authors: Department of Chemistry, Paulista State University (UNESP), CP 473, 17033-360 Bauru, SP, Brazil.
authors: João Roberto
authors: JR
authors: Fernandes
authors: Laboratory for the Toxicological Research (Lapetox), University of Sorocaba (UNISO), 18023-000 Sorocaba, SP, Brazil.
authors: Marli
authors: M
authors: Gerenutti
authors: Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Paulista State University (UNESP), 19060-900 Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazil.
authors: Homero Marques
authors: HM
authors: Gomes
authors: Department of Chemistry, Paulista State University (UNESP), CP 473, 17033-360 Bauru, SP, Brazil.
authors: Renata
authors: R
authors: Ribeiro
authors: Department of Physics, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), 13565-905 São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
authors: Marcos Vinícius
authors: MV
authors: de Almeida
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D010575:Pesticides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D012278:Ricinus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development*
chemical_list: D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D010575:Pesticides