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BACKGROUND The Monviso clone previously tested successfully to remediate a lindane‐contaminated soil in central Italy was then applied in a historically heavy metal contaminated area in southern Italy. RESULTS The results obtained at 900 days from the poplar planting showed a strong decrease below Italian national legal limits (D.Lgs 152/06) for most heavy metals (HMs). The highest reduction of HM concentrations was observed in soil samples collected near the trunk (25 cm distant from poplar) and in the rhizosphere. The values of the HM bioaccumulation factor (BAF, considering roots and leaves) and of the translocation factor (TF) suggest that poplar trees were able to phytostabilize HMs. The soil organic carbon content increased compared to the previous sampling in all plots planted. The highest values were observed for the rhizosphere soils of each target tree, while the phosphorous available strongly decreased. Microbial results showed an overall increase in cell viability, dehydrogenase activity and microbial abundance of some bacterial groups. CONCLUSION Overall results showed that the poplar‐based phytoremediation strategy was able to promote the phytostabilization of the HMs and to improve the soil quality in terms of both organic carbon content and microbial community structure and activity. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry

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