Cistus monspeliensis L. as a potential species for rehabilitation of soils with multielemental contamination under Mediterranean conditions

Abstract

The Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB; SW of the Iberian Peninsula) is one of the most important volcanogenic massive sulphide ore deposits in the world. Cistus monspeliensis L. is a native woody shrub that grows spontaneously in non-contaminated soils as well as in soils with multielemental contamination from the IPB. In this study, different ecophysiological parameters of C. monspeliensis growing in soils with different levels of metal(loid)s were evaluated to assess the potential of this species for revegetation of degraded areas. Composite samples of plants and rhizosphere soils were sampled in São Domingos and Lousal mines and in a reference area without soil contamination (Pomarão, Portugal) (Portuguese sector of IPB). Classical characterisation of the soils and quantification of their total and available metal(loid) concentrations were done. Multielemental concentration was determined in plants (shoots and roots). Ecophysiological parameters were also determined in shoots: concentrations of pigments (chlorophylls, anthocyanins and carotenoids), antioxidants (glutathione and ascorbate) and hydrogen peroxide as well as activities of several antioxidative enzymes. Although mining soils present high total concentrations of potentially hazardous elements, their available fractions were low and similar among studied areas. Soil pH as well as concentrations of extractable P, total concentrations of As, Cd and Ni and concentrations of Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb and Sb in the soil available fraction differentiate the studied areas. Only concentrations of Cd, Pb and Sb in roots and shoots were explained by the concentrations of the same elements in the soil available fraction. Although the majority of elements were translocated from roots to shoots, the shoots concentrations were below the toxic values for domestic animals and only As, Mn and Zn reached phytotoxic concentrations. Ecophysiological parameters were similar independently of the studied area. Due to its adaptability, tolerance and standard plant features, C. monspeliensis is a good choice for rehabilitation of soils with multielemental contamination under similar climatic characteristics.

Soil Science Challenges in a New Era: A Transdisciplinary Overview of Relevant Topics

“…Nowadays, some international business groups and governmental entities from several countries are considering and in some cases (little by little) implementing this new approach in their operational and closure activities. 99,100 Sharing information from case studies where new and integrated approaches are used, including levels of environmental improvements and associated costs, is essential to improving our knowledge of these technologies.…”

Influence of Seed Source and Soil Contamination on Ecophysiological Responses of Lavandula pedunculata in Rehabilitation of Mining Areas

“…Nonetheless, there are some species (e.g., Lavandula and Cistus genus) and/or populations able to survive and develop all their life cycle in both contaminated and uncontaminated areas, which can be considered species with the capacity to recover contaminated soils and improve the edaphic conditions of these mining areas [ 2 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. This adaptation is due to the decrease in uptake, translocation and/or accumulation of potentially toxic elements in photosynthetic active parts as well as to the stimulation of several physiological mechanisms to scavenge ROS and overcome oxidative stress [ 2 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”

“…Nonetheless, there are some species (e.g., Lavandula and Cistus genus) and/or populations able to survive and develop all their life cycle in both contaminated and uncontaminated areas, which can be considered species with the capacity to recover contaminated soils and improve the edaphic conditions of these mining areas [ 2 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. This adaptation is due to the decrease in uptake, translocation and/or accumulation of potentially toxic elements in photosynthetic active parts as well as to the stimulation of several physiological mechanisms to scavenge ROS and overcome oxidative stress [ 2 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. These physiological mechanisms in plants growing in the presence of metal(loids), in particular in mining areas, can include an increase in antioxidant enzyme activities (e.g., catalase, peroxidase), as well as non-enzymatic antioxidants such as ascorbic acid (AsA), reduced glutathione (GSH), α-tocopherol, carotenoids, anthocyanins and flavonoids, among others [ 2 , 6 , 7 , 10 ].…”

“…This adaptation is due to the decrease in uptake, translocation and/or accumulation of potentially toxic elements in photosynthetic active parts as well as to the stimulation of several physiological mechanisms to scavenge ROS and overcome oxidative stress [ 2 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. These physiological mechanisms in plants growing in the presence of metal(loids), in particular in mining areas, can include an increase in antioxidant enzyme activities (e.g., catalase, peroxidase), as well as non-enzymatic antioxidants such as ascorbic acid (AsA), reduced glutathione (GSH), α-tocopherol, carotenoids, anthocyanins and flavonoids, among others [ 2 , 6 , 7 , 10 ].…”

“…The growth of tolerant species improves the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils developed on mine wastes or even mine wastes with multielemental contamination, increasing the vegetation cover and contributing to the environmental rehabilitation of these degraded areas [ 11 ]. Several biogeochemical studies have been carried out in different Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB) mines in order to identify species growing spontaneously and to assess their potential for environmental rehabilitation through phytostabilization (e.g., [ 5 , 6 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 12 , 13 ]).…”