Enhanced Nitrogen and Phosphorus Removal by Woody Plants with Deep-Planting Technique for the Potential Environmental Management of Carcass Burial Sites

Abstract

Phytoremediation is a promising technology to remediate carcass burial sites where deep soil layers are contaminated with nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and other potential contaminants by leachate. The current study was conducted to examine the remedial efficiency of two different woody plants, poplar (Populus euramericana) and willow (Salix alba), by employing the deep-planting technique for the enhanced removal of N and P for the soil affected by leachate. For this, pot trials to assess N and P removal efficiency of poplar and willow in liquid manure-applied soil, and pilot-scale column experiments to evaluate the suitability of the deep-planting technique for the enhanced phytoremediation of deep soil layer were conducted. The results of this study showed that poplar and willow removed N and P from soils effectively while surviving under deep-planting conditions. Notably, compared to the surface planted roots, the roots of the deep-planted poplar and willow could transfer significant amounts of N and P leachate from the deep soil layer to the rhizosphere, from where it can be absorbed by the plants. For the first time, the use of poplar or willow plants are recommended by employing the deep-planting technique for the successful remediation of carcass burial sites.

Cadmium Uptake and Growth Responses of Seven Urban Flowering Plants: Hyperaccumulator or Bioindicator?

“…A great number of current technologies have been developed to clean up the contaminated soil by Cd [34][35][36]. However, several conventional technologies, such as physical and chemical treatment approaches, are more expensive, less eco-friendly and bring secondary pollution problems [37][38][39].…”

Cadmium Hyperaccumulation and Translocation in Impatiens Glandulifera: From Foe to Friend?

“…The fast growth and the apparent ability to rapidly uptake Cd may facilitate effective phytoaccumulation in a relatively short period, enabling the plants to be removed before setting seed and spreading. Though it is preferable for hyperaccumulators to have deep roots (e.g., poplar and willow), the shallow roots of I. glandulifera make it feasible to easily harvest the entire plant-something that is not typically possible-enabling the recovery of all the accumulated Cd [6,70,79].…”

The ability and potential of Echinodorus palaefolius, Pontederia lanceolata, and Zantedeschia aethiopica as a Phosphate and Nitrogen phytoremediator

“…Many plants that can be used as nitrogen and phosphate phytoremediator agents have been identified, including Ojoawo reported that Canna x generalis can effectively reduce nitrogen and phosphorus pollution by up to 51.2% 9 . Seo used Populus euramericana and Salix alba as phytoremediator agents and demonstrated effective performance in reducing nitrogen and phosphate pollution 10 and Malik used 3 plants namely Zantedeschia aethiopica, Pontederia lanceolata, Echinodorus palaefolius for heavy metal remediation in the textile industry wastewater 11 .…”