Abstract
Lead (Pb) in the urban environment can have a negative effect on human health, especially children’s health. Reducing elevated Pb exposure in the home landscape is essential. The purpose of this study was to determine which ornamental groundcover landscape plants uptake Pb from contaminated soil. Plants for both shade and sun were selected. Plants for shade [Brake fern (Pteris vittata), Asian Jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum), “Big Blue” Liriope (Liriope muscari), and St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum)] and sun [Variegated Liriope (Liriope muscari “Variegata”), Asian Jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum), Asparagus Fern (Asparagus setaceus), and Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon)] adapted landscape groundcover plants successfully assimilated Pb grown in soil containing 250 ppm and 500 ppm Pb concentrations. Additionally, soil movement at both 25 mph and 50 mph wind speed was significantly different, with increased soil movement at 50 mph. Therefore, it was determined that landscape plants adapted to both sun and shade can help remove Pb from contaminated soils and stabilize soil particles reducing the movement of soil and be aesthetically pleasing.
Highlights
Lead (Pb) is a natural element occurring in soil frequently combined with other elements to form a variety of minerals (Kinder, 1997)
It was determined that landscape plants adapted to both sun and shade can help remove Pb from contaminated soils and stabilize soil particles reducing the movement of soil and be aesthetically pleasing
Augustinegrass) sod, Trachelospermum asiaticum (Asian Jasmine), Asparagus setaceus (Asparagus Fern), Liriope muscari “Variegata” (Variegated Liriope), and Cynodon dactylon (Bermudagrass) plants were planted in separate pots
Summary
Lead (Pb) is a natural element occurring in soil frequently combined with other elements to form a variety of minerals (Kinder, 1997). When high Pb levels were determined to be harmful, the government banned their use in many everyday products, but the past consumption has left a large quantity of Pb residue in the environment (Mayo Foundation, 2019). A natural alternative remediation process is removing contaminated soil using phytoremediation. Researchers and the government have informed the public about the effects of exposure to Pb. Lead exposure has been linked to developmental issues in children. Lead exposure has been linked to developmental issues in children These developmental issues can later turn into behavior problems, which may cause learning difficulties, and eventually even a life of crime (Adelson, 2016). Lead-polluted soil is a very common cause of Pb ingestion by children (Adelson, 2016). Pre-school age children were determined to have a significant relationship between soil Pb bioaccessibility and blood Pb, as their behaviors place them at greatest risk of soil Pb toxicity (Ren et al, 2006)
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