Studies on Gypsophila fastigiata parameters verifying its suitability to reclamation of post-flotation Zn-Pb wastes

Abstract

An excessive amount of heavy metals negatively affects the environment, causing degradation of large areas throughout the world. Therefore, the effective and inexpensive techniques focused on either removal of those substances or their long-term stabilization in situ need to be improved. We currently propose to use a calamine ecotype of Gypsophila fastigiata (Caryophyllaceae) for biological reclamation of wastes accumulated after Zn-Pb ores enrichment. Plants were cultivated in (1) untreated waste material (control), (2) wastes enriched with mineral fertilizers, and (3) wastes enriched with sewage sludge. Photosynthetic pigments content and electrolyte leakage outside plasma membrane were tested periodically in representative samples. In untreated waste material growth gradually deteriorated during the season. The content of chlorophyll a in leaves taken from control plants decreased more than threefold from 0.51 mg/g f.m. at the beginning to 0.14 mg/g f.m. at the end of the growing season, whereas in treatment with sewage sludge the reduced seasonal variations in photosynthetic pigments content was ascertained (0.78 mg/g f.m. for chl a and 0.20 mg/g f.m. for chl b, both in the spring and autumn) what positively influenced the plant growth. The results indicate that tested G. fastigiata genotype might be used in an assisted revegetation project.

Differential Tolerance to Lead and Cadmium of Micropropagated Gypsophila fastigiata Ecotype

“…In our previous studies, it was ascertained that among the species considered as a potential candidates for phytoremediation techniques, such calamine ecotype of G. fastigiata is an interesting object since it is a pioneer plant occurring spontaneously on Zn-Pb post-flotation waste tailings located in Olkusz Ore-bearing Region, and its importance for the reclamation of such deposits has been demonstrated in the field experiment (Muszyńska et al 2015 ). In the present work, the tissue culture system competent to regenerate large amount of uniform plant material ready to be applied on heavy metal-polluted areas was elaborated.…”

“…Gypsophila fastigiata (Caryophyllaceae) spontaneously occurs on the Zn-Pb waste heaps located in the south-eastern part of the Śląsko-Krakowska Upland, Poland (Muszyńska et al 2015 ; Woch et al 2016 ). As local ecotype adapted to unfavorable conditions of toxic heavy metals’ level, nutrient deficiency, high insolation, strong wind, drought, unfavorable pH value, it is a unique plant species.…”

In vitro multiplication of Dianthus carthusianorum calamine ecotype with the aim to revegetate and stabilize polluted wastes

“…Thus, enormous efforts should be undertaken to overcome the limited possibilities of plant introduction and survival on degraded areas. Novel sustainable strategy of waste stabilization and reclamation bases on different metallophytes occurring on post-industrial terrains abandoned for many years (Nouri et al 2011;Muszyńska et al 2015;Pandey et al 2015;Muszyńska and Hanus-Fajerska 2016). Metal-tolerant species are unique among vascular plants because of their adaptation to severe conditions as well as high ability to cope with elevated levels of heavy metals in soil or even in the soilless substrate such as waste-heaps.…”

Recent strategies of increasing metal tolerance and phytoremediation potential using genetic transformation of plants

“…The main progress in screening for efficient phytoremediating plants was achieved by selecting genotypes (ecotypes) growing naturally in contaminated sites (Reeves and Brooks 1983 ; Pollard et al 2014 ; Muszyńska et al 2015 ). Some progress was also achieved after a long-term selection of heavy metal-tolerant clones in in vitro and greenhouse conditions (Iori et al 2012 ; Wiszniewska et al 2015 ; Muszyńska and Hanus-Fajerska 2017 ).…”