Many sites inside a protected area in Apulia region (Italy) have been contaminated with heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) because an inadequate disposal of a variety of wastes with different sources of origin. As first measure in-situ phytoremediation techniques were evaluated using only the natural plants that grew wildly on the contaminated soils, in order to minimize the environmental impact on this fragile ecosystem. Total contents of metals in soils generally exceeded the maximum levels indicated in Italian and European regulations, specially Cr and Zn. Although the extractable fraction was element-dependent, the metal immobilization was enhanced by the components of soils. Maximum mobilizable fractions (%DTPA of total content) were 30% Cd, 0.01% Cr, 11.5% Cu, 4.1% Ni, 13.3% Pb and 13.8% Zn. The general trend of metal accumulation in plants was Zn > Cu > Cr > Pb > Ni > Cd and statically accumulation differences were found to largely depend on plant species. Thus different metal uptake and translocation strategies were suggested in the studied species: exclusion for Stipa austroitalica and Dasypyrum villosum, whereas tolerance mechanisms for Carduus pycnocephalus, Silybum marianum and Sinapis arvensis. The metal contents in above ground parts of these species were within the values of normal in plants and below phytotoxic levels, thus faraway from phytoextraction applicability. These species can be considered as metal excluder or tolerant plants with ability of growing in soils with a wide range of heavy metal concentrations, mainly immobilized by soil conditions. Thus they accomplished the criteria to be considered for phytostabilization technique in these contaminated sites.

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In the framework of a phytoremediation project in the Apulia region (Italy) a field experiment was carried out in multi-metal contaminated soils. The accumulation and distribution of metals in different plant parts of durum wheat and barley were studied. Further, the application of Bacillus licheniformis strain BLMB1 to soil was evaluated as a means to enhance metal accumulation in plants. The translocation and the bioconcentration factors indicated that wheat and barley do not act as metal accumulators in the field conditions tested, thus phytoextraction by these species would not be recommended as a soil remediation alternative. Application of B. licheniformis improved the accumulation of all metals in roots of wheat and barley, and increased Cd, Cr, and Pb contents in the shoots of barley. Low health risk for humans and animals was evaluated to exist if straw and grain from both cereal crops grown in these contaminated sites are consumed.

A phytosociological study was conducted in the National Park of Alta Murgia in the Apulia region (Southern Italy) to determine the adverse effects of metal contamination of soils on the distribution of plant communities. The phytosociological analyses have shown a na, remarkable biodiversity of vegetation on non-contaminated soils, while biodiversity appeared strongly reduced on metal-contaminated soils. The area is naturally covered by a wide steppic grassland dominated by Stipa austroitalica Martinovsky subsp, austroitalica. Brassicaceae such as Sinapis arvensis L. are the dominating species on moderated contaminated soils, whereas spiny species of Asteraceae such as Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. and Carduus pycnocephalus L. subsp, pycnocephalus are the dominating vegetation on heavily metal-contaminated soils. The presence of these spontaneous species on contaminated soils suggest their potential for restoration of degraded lands by phytostabilization strategy.

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This study aimed to assess the extent of some heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni, and Zn) in wastewater irrigated soils and their translocation in different food (cabbage, onion, garlic, fava bean, wheat, peppermint) and feed (clover) crops as well as their potential risk on human and livestock. Crop samples were collected from farmlands along El-Saff wastewater canal, southern Giza governorate, Egypt. The analysis of wastewater and soil samples indicated that most of the physicochemical parameters and heavy metals concentrations were within the limits proposed by FAO (1985) and FAO/WHO (2007) for irrigation water and agricultural soils, respectively. Heavy metals concentrations varied among different crop species, in particular Zn and Cu showed the highest concentrations. The order of heavy metals concentrations in different edible parts was Zn > Cu > Ni > Cr > Cd > Pb. The heavy metals transfer factors of edible parts revealed high translocation values of Zn, Ni, and Cu by fava bean, Cd by garlic, Cr by peppermint, and Pb by fava bean and onion. Except for Cr and Ni, most of the metal concentrations were found within the permissible limits regulated for health standard. Furthermore, the performed health risk index indicated low health risk for humans and animals if edible parts from studied crops are consumed. Regular monitoring of heavy metal concentration in wastewater, soil, and agricultural crops in the study area is necessary.