title: Can the use of natural biostimulants be a potential means of phytoremediating contaminated soils from goldmines in South Africa?
abstract: Biostimulants offer great potential in improving phytoremediation of contaminated soils. In the current greenhouse-based study, Brassica juncea seedlings grown on soils collected from Krugersdorp Goldmine and the adjourning areas (a Game Reserve and private farmland) were supplemented with different biostimulants (Kelpak® = KEL, vermicompost leachate = VCL, smoke-water = SW). Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) was included in the study for comparative purposes because these biostimulants are known to enhance rooting. Prior to the pot trial, concentrations of elements in the three soil types were determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy. Plants were harvested after 105 days and the growth and concentrations of elements in the various plant organs were determined. TheB. juncea seedlings with and without biostimulants did not survive when growing in soil from the Krugersdorp Goldmine. The Game Reserve and private farmland soils supplemented with KEL produced the highest plant biomass and the lowest accumulation of metals in the organs of B. juncea. High concentrations (>13 000 mg kg(-1)) of zinc and aluminium were quantified in the roots of IBA-supplemented soils from the Game Reserve. Generally, IBA and SW enhanced the phytoremediation of B. juncea due to elevated levels of elements that accumulated in their different organs.
authors.affiliation: a Mangosuthu University of Technology, Jacobs , Durban , KwaZulu-Natal , South Africa.
authors.forename: Georgina D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Arthur
authors.affiliation: b Research Centre for Plant Growth and Development, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal Pietermaritzburg , Scottsville , South Africa.
authors.forename: Adeyemi O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Aremu
authors.affiliation: b Research Centre for Plant Growth and Development, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal Pietermaritzburg , Scottsville , South Africa.
authors.forename: Manoj G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Kulkarni
authors.affiliation: b Research Centre for Plant Growth and Development, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal Pietermaritzburg , Scottsville , South Africa.
authors.forename: Ambrose
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Okem
authors.affiliation: b Research Centre for Plant Growth and Development, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal Pietermaritzburg , Scottsville , South Africa.
authors.forename: Wendy A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Stirk
authors.affiliation: a Mangosuthu University of Technology, Jacobs , Durban , KwaZulu-Natal , South Africa.
authors.forename: Theophilus C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.affiliation: b Research Centre for Plant Growth and Development, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal Pietermaritzburg , Scottsville , South Africa.
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Staden
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D006046:Gold; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007211:Indoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008906:Mining; D009149:Mustard Plant / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000378:metabolism; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000737:chemistry*; D013019:South Africa
chemical_list: D006133:Growth Substances; D007211:Indoles; D012989:Soil Pollutants; C014612:indolebutyric acid; D006046:Gold
keywords: Kelpak®; goldmine tailings; potentially harmful elements (PHEs); smoke-water; vermicompost leachate