Phytoremediation Applications Research Articles

Cannabis Roots: Therapeutic, Biotechnological and Environmental Aspects.

Since the legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada in 2018, the number of licenses for this crop has increased significantly, resulting in an increase in waste generated. Nevertheless, cannabis roots were once used for their therapeutic properties, indicating that they could be valued today rather than dismissed. This review will focus on both traditional therapeutic aspects and potential use of roots in modern medicine while detailing the main studies on active phytomolecules found in cannabis roots. The environmental impact of cannabis cultivation and current knowledge of the root-associated microbiome are also presented as well as their potential applications in biotechnology and phytoremediation. Thus, several high added-value applications of cannabis roots resulting from scientific advances in recent years can be considered to remove them from discarded residues.

Ameliorating Effects of Graphene Oxide on Cadmium Accumulation and Eco-Physiological Characteristics in a Greening Hyperaccumulator (Lonicera japonica Thunb.).

Graphene oxide (GO), as a novel carbon-based nanomaterial (CBN), has been widely applied to every respect of social life due to its unique composite properties. The widespread use of GO inevitably promotes its interaction with heavy metal cadmium (Cd), and influences its functional behavior. However, little information is available on the effects of GO on greening hyperaccumulators under co-occurring Cd. In this study, we chose a typical greening hyperaccumulator (Lonicera japonica Thunb.) to show the effect of GO on Cd accumulation, growth, net photosynthesis rate (Pn), carbon sequestration and oxygen release functions of the plant under Cd stress. The different GO-Cd treatments were set up by (0, 10, 50 and 100 mg L-1) GO and (0, 5 and 25 mg L-1) Cd in solution culture. The maximum rate of Cd accumulation in the roots and shoots of the plant were increased by 10 mg L-1 GO (exposed to 5 mg L-1 Cd), indicating that low-concentration GO (10 mg L-1) combined with low-concentration Cd (5 mg L-1) might stimulate the absorption of Cd by L. japonica. Under GO treatments without Cd, the dry weight of root and shoot biomass, Pn value, carbon sequestration per unit leaf area and oxygen release per unit leaf area all increased in various degrees, especially under 10 mg L-1 GO, were 20.67%, 12.04%, 35% and 28.73% higher than the control. Under GO-Cd treatments, it is observed that the cooperation of low-concentration GO (10 mg L-1) and low-concentration Cd (5 mg L-1) could significantly stimulate Cd accumulation, growth, photosynthesis, carbon sequestration and oxygen release functions of the plant. These results indicated that suitable concentrations of GO could significantly alleviate the effects of Cd on L. japonica, which is helpful for expanding the phytoremediation application of greening hyperaccumulators faced with coexistence with environment of nanomaterials and heavy metals.

A mesocosm study on the use of clay minerals to improve heavy metal phytoremediation capacity of vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides L. Roberty)

Fast-paced global industrialisation due to population growth poses negative environmental implications, such as pollution by heavy metals. We assessed the application of vetiver grass assisted by clay minerals for the remediation of soil and water contaminated by multiple metals in a mesocosm study. The technique was tested previously in a greenhouse study that confirmed the effectiveness of 2.5% (w/w) attapulgite and 2.5% (w/v) bentonite to improve vetiver grass remediation of soil and water contaminated by multiple metals. At the end of the experiment, the total accumulation of Co, Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn by vetiver grass from the soil was 1.8, 38.1, 19.0, 7.2 and 55.4 mg/kg, respectively, while in water, the total metal accumulation of Al and Mn by vetiver grass was 4534.5 and 104.5 mg/kg, respectively. The results confirm the effectiveness of attapulgite and bentonite as amendments to improve the remediation potential of vetiver in soil and water under natural conditions. Metal accumulation was generally higher in the roots than in shoots. We found the removal efficiency in the soil to be in the order Zn > Cr > Cu > Ni > Co and Al > Mn in water. Results also demonstrated that heavy metal accumulation was even better under natural conditions than in the greenhouse study. For example, Zn accumulation increased from 0.4 mg/kg in the greenhouse study to 55.4 mg/kg in the outdoor study. This study validates the application of bentonite and attapulgite-assisted phytoremediation for heavy metal contaminated soil and water. Significance: Heavy metal pollution of soil and water is very common in industrialised and mining areas. It is important to find cost-effective, eco-friendly and easy-to-apply methods of removing these heavy metals from soil and water, so as to provide a clean and safe environment for living organisms. Phytoremediation is the use of plants to remove pollutants from the environment and is a cost-effective, aesthetically pleasing and eco-friendly method. Attapulgite and bentonite (clay minerals) are effective in improving the phytoremediation capacity of a phytoremediation plant known as vetiver grass.

Exploring the Feasibility and Effectiveness of Phytoremediation for Environmental Restoration: A Review

The debate on the applicability, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency of phytoremediation as a plant-based treatment to clean the environment is intensifying. Phytoremediation is the application of plants, microbes, nutrients, and/or agronomic techniques to soil, sediment, and water resources to contain or neutralize contaminants. Phytoremediation serves multiple goals, including soil stabilization, erosion control, and enhancement of wildlife habitat. Plants can absorb, translocate, transform, and immobilize hazardous metals, thereby lowering their toxicity and environmental concentration. This process is widely used in industry nowadays due to being both cost-effective and ecologically friendly. However, there is no denying that each process has its own pros and cons. There is no perfect process. Thus, this review aims to provide researchers of environmental science with a better understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of this method.

Phytoremediation for antibiotics removal from aqueous solutions: A meta-analysis

Antibiotics are widely used as drugs and enter water bodies through various routes, leading to environmental pollution. As a green in-situ remediation technology, phytoremediation has been proven to be highly effective in removing antibiotics present in the aqueous phase. However, these data are distributed in various studies and lack systematic analysis, which could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the current status and trends in the research field. Based on this, a meta-analysis was conducted from three perspectives in this study: the factors influencing antibiotics removal by phytoremediation, the effect of antibiotics on plant physiological indexes, and the accumulation and translocation of antibiotics in plants. The results showed that plants have a significant effect on antibiotics removal, which is influenced by plant species, running time, biomass, antibiotic types and antibiotic concentration. Although some physiological indexes of plants changed under stress from high antibiotic concentrations, most plant species demonstrated resistance to antibiotic concentrations below 100 μgL−1. Additionally, the amount of antibiotics accumulated in plants was extremely little, so the risk of secondary pollution was minimal during phytoremediation. The results of this study reveal the main factors influencing antibiotics removal by phytoremediation and plant physiological responses to antibiotics, providing a reference for improving the rational application of phytoremediation for antibiotics removal. In addition, it will provide concepts and directions for improving the efficiency of sustainable and environmentally friendly remediation methods for treating antibiotic pollution.

MsYSL6, A Metal Transporter Gene of Alfalfa, Increases Iron Accumulation and Benefits Cadmium Resistance.

Iron (Fe) is necessary for plant growth and development. The mechanism of uptake and translocation in Cadmium (Cd) is similar to iron, which shares iron transporters. Yellow stripe-like transporter (YSL) plays a pivotal role in transporting iron and other metal ions in plants. In this study, MsYSL6 and its promoter were cloned from leguminous forage alfalfa. The transient expression of MsYSL6-GFP indicated that MsYSL6 was localized to the plasma membrane and cytoplasm. The expression of MsYSL6 was induced in alfalfa by iron deficiency and Cd stress, which was further proved by GUS activity driven by the MsYSL6 promoter. To further identify the function of MsYSL6, it was heterologously overexpressed in tobacco. MsYSL6-overexpressed tobacco showed better growth and less oxidative damage than WT under Cd stress. MsYSL6 overexpression elevated Fe and Cd contents and induced a relatively high Fe translocation rate in tobacco under Cd stress. The results suggest that MsYSL6 might have a dual function in the absorption of Fe and Cd, playing a role in the competitive absorption between Fe and Cd. MsYSL6 might be a regulatory factor in plants to counter Cd stress. This study provides a novel gene for application in heavy metal enrichment or phytoremediation and new insights into plant tolerance to toxic metals.

Current phytoremediation technologies and applications

In the 21st century, with the progress and development of science and technology, the pollution of water resources has become one of the main concerns. Currently available technologies for the remediation of water pollution are mainly physical and chemical remediation, and bioremediation is used in relatively few places. This paper presents the advantages and disadvantages of phytoremediation of wastewater and the current status of the application. The existing physical remediation methods, chemical remediation methods, and then bioremediation methods of in situ and ex situ remediation are described. Phytoremediation belongs to the in situ remediation method of bioremediation, which refers to the use of green plants and their inter-root microorganisms to work together to fix or decompose pollutants. Different classifications of plants play different roles in remediation, and different kinds of plants of the same classification are applied in different environments. Compared with traditional restoration methods, phytoremediation has the advantages of lower cost, additional effect on the surrounding air and soil removal, improved soil fertility after restoration, improved local landscape, a wide range of adaptation and economic benefits, etc. However, phytoremediation technology also has its shortcomings, we should invest more scientific research efforts in the research of phytoremediation technology in the future, and combine it with practice to strengthen the application of phytoremediation in wastewater treatment and reduce the harm brought to people by polluted water resources.

Phytoremediation of Microplastics: A Perspective on Its Practicality

Microplastics have permeated all parts of the environment, rendering their removal essential. Numerous strategies ranging from the physical removal of mismanaged plastic items to the biodegradation of microplastics with microorganisms and biocatalysts have been proposed to alleviate microplastic pollution. Phytoremediation is one of the plastic-removing strategies, but it has not received much attention. This perspective paper aims to review the phytoremediation of microplastics and discuss its practicality. The paper shows that plants could act as interceptors and a temporary sink of microplastics by facilitating their deposition, adsorbing them, trapping them in the root zone, enabling them to cluster on the roots, taking them up, translocating them, and accumulating them in various plant parts. However, there was a lack of evidence pointing to the degradation of microplastics after they were adsorbed, taken up, and stored. Weak adsorption and environmental factors may cause the trapped microplastics to desorb, resuspend, or evade, thus also making plants a source of microplastics. The microplastics trapped and accumulated in plants may be transferred to the higher trophic levels of the food chain through ingestion and raise concerns over their ecotoxicities. Unlike localized pollution, microplastic pollution is widespread, which limits the applicability of phytoremediation. Besides, microplastics could adversely impact plant health and the ability of plants to remove other environmental pollutants. These drawbacks may reduce the attractiveness of phytoremediation unless it can be effectively combined with bioremediation to degrade microplastics.

Reduction of hydrocarbon pollutants by hyacinth plants ( Eichhornia crassipes).

Background: The application of phytoremediation by utilizing plants has been used to control oil pollution in waters. One of the plants that can act as a phytoremediator is the hyacinth because this plant can reduce various pollutants including petroleum hydrocarbons. This study aims to study the reduction ability of petroleum hydrocarbons at different concentrations including improving water quality. Methods: This study consisted of one treatment (petroleum hydrocarbon) consisting of five factors with three replicates. The treatments consisted of 10 ppm (E1), 30 ppm (E2), 50 ppm (E3), 70 ppm (E4), 90 ppm (E5), and (E0) without aquatic plants as controls. The treatments were observed daily and measured from the first day (D-1), the seventh day (D-7), and the 14 th day (D-14). The water quality in each treatment was also measured, such as water temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen. Results: The results showed that the hyacinth plant was able to reduce hydrocarbon in terms of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) by 79% while it was only between 17-27% naturally without the hyacinth. The reduction of TPH in the water was in line with the decrease of chlorophyll in the leaves of hyacinths, and it was followed by the increase of dissolved oxygen in the water media. Conclusions: In conclusion, hyacinths can reduce petroleum hydrocarbons and they can improve the water quality as well.

EDDS and polystyrene interactions: implications for soil health and management practices

Ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS) has been studied extensively for its potential use as an amendment in agriculture due to its numerous beneficial properties. The widespread usage of microplastics (MPs) poses a growing threat to plant growth. This study investigated the effects of Polystyrene MPs (PSMPs) and EDDS on soil pH, EC, organic matter (OM), available nutrients, and maize (Zea mays L.) growth in a calcareous soil. Results showed that both PS and EDDS had significant effects on soil pH, with higher concentrations leading to a decrease in pH. PSMPs negatively impacted soil health by increasing EC and decreasing OM, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). EDDS had potential applications in soil remediation and phytoremediation by decreasing EC and increasing N, P, and K. The interaction between EDDS and PSMPs suggests that their effects on soil pH may be modulated by each other. The study highlights the potential negative impacts of high concentrations of PS on soil health and the potential benefits of using EDDS at lower concentrations in soil remediation and phytoremediation. However, further research is needed to understand the mechanisms and environmental impacts of EDDS and the combined effects of EDDS and PSMPs on soil properties and plant growth.

Developmental toxicity in Daphnia magna induced by environmentally relevant concentrations of carbon black: From the perspective of metabolomics and symbiotic bacteria composition

The level of carbon black (CB) pollution in the environment is rapidly increasing, owing to the increase in natural and industrial emissions. The water environment has become an important sink for CB. However, studies on CB mainly focused on its impact on air pollution and phytoremediation applications, and the toxicity mechanism of CB in aquatic organisms is relatively limited. Thus, Daphnia magna was used as a model organism to explore the developmental toxicity of environmentally relevant concentrations of CB under a full life-cycle exposure. The toxicity mechanism of CB in aquatic organisms was investigated based on metabolomic and symbiotic microbial analyses. It was found that compared with the control group, the body length of exposed D. magna decreased, while the mortality and intestinal inflammation increased with increasing concentration of CB. The normal reproductive regularity of D. magna was disturbed, and the deformity and body length of the offspring increased and decreased, respectively, after CB exposure. Metabolomic analysis showed that the urea cycle metabolic pathway of exposed D. magna was increased significantly, suggesting a perturbation of N metabolism. In addition, two eicosanoids were increased, suggesting possible inflammation in D. magna. The levels of seven phospholipid metabolites decreased that might be responsible for offspring malformations. Microbiological analysis showed that the composition of the symbiotic microbial community of D. magna was disturbed, including microorganisms involved in carbon cycling, nitrogen cycling, and biodegradation of pollutants, as well as pathogenic microorganisms. Overall, this study found that the inflammatory related metabolites and symbiotic bacterial, as well as reproductive related metabolites, were disrupted after D. magna exposed to different concentrations of CB, which revealed a possible developmental toxicity mechanism of CB in D. magna. These findings provide a scientific basis for analyzing the risks of CB in aquatic environments.

Improved efficiency of Sedum lineare (Crassulaceae) in remediation of arsenic-contaminated soil by phosphate-dissolving strain P-1 in association with phosphate rock.

The selection of appropriate plants and growth strategies is a key factor in improving the efficiency and universal applicability of phytoremediation. Sedum lineare grows rapidly and tolerates multiple adversities. The effects of inoculation of Acinetobacter sp. phosphate solubilizing bacteria P-1 and application of phosphate rock (PR) as additives on the remediation efficiency of As-contaminated soil by S. lineare were investigated. Compared with the control, both the single treatment and the combination of inoculation with strain P-1 and application of PR improved the biomass by 30.7-395.5%, chlorophyll content by 48.1-134.8%, total protein content by 12.5-92.4% and total As accumulation by 45.1-177.5%, and reduced the As-induced oxidative damage. Inoculation with strain P-1 increased the activities of superoxide dismutases and catalases of S. lineare under As stress, decreased the accumulation of reactive oxygen species in plant tissues and promoted the accumulation of As in roots. In contrast, simultaneous application of PR decreased As concentration in S. lineare tissues, attenuated As-induced lipid peroxidation and improved As transport to shoots. In addition, the combined application showed the best performance in improving resistance and biomass, which significantly increased root length by 149.1%, shoot length by 33%, fresh weight by 395.5% and total arsenic accumulation by 159.2%, but decreased the malondialdehyde content by 89.1%. Our results indicate that the combined application of strain P-1 and PR with S. lineare is a promising bioremediation strategy to accelerate phytoremediation of As-contaminated soils.

Phytoremediation strategies for heavy metal-contaminated soil by selecting native plants near mining areas in Inner Mongolia.

Phytoremediation technology, as an eco-friendly and cost-effective approach, is widely used to restore soil contaminated by heavy metal(loid)s. However, the adaptability and absorption capacity of plants to multiple elements are the crucial factors affecting the application of phytoremediation in mining areas. In this study, dominant native plant species and their paired soils were collected near a lead-zinc mine in Inner Mongolia, to assess the ecological risk of heavy metal(loid)s and phytoremediation potential. The results showed that Cd and As were the dominant soil pollutants, with levels of 90.91% and 100%, respectively, exceeding the risk intervention values for soil contamination of agricultural land. The rates of Pb, Cu, and Zn exceeding the risk screening values were 69.70%, 60.61%, and 96.97%, respectively. Extremely high ecological risk of heavy metal(loid)s was observed in this area. The ability of native plants accumulating heavy metals varied among species. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) varied from 0.14 to 2.59 for Cd, 0.02 to 0.45 for As, 0.06 to 0.76 for Pb, 0.05 to 2.69 for Cr, 0.15 to 1.00 for Cu, and 0.22 to 4.10 for Zn. Chinese Cinquefoil Herb (Potentilla chinensis Ser.) showed the potential to accumulate multiple toxic elements based on the biomass, shoot content, translocation factor (TF), BCF, and metal extraction rate (MER), while, other species showed the potential to accumulate single toxic element: goosefoot (Chenopodium album L.), Lespedeza daurica (Laxm.) Schindl. and peashrubs (Caragana korshinskii Kom.), Herba Artemisiae Scopariae (Artemisia capillaris Thunb.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), and Moldavian Dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica L.) for Cd, As, Cr, Cu, and Zn, respectively. Furthermore, wild leek (Allium ramosum L.), cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv.), fringed sagebrush (Artemisia frigida Willd.), and field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis L.) were selected for phytostabilization of specific elements, considering the heavy metal contents in the roots and low TF values. This study provides a reference for selecting appropriate species for the remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils in certain mining areas.

Comparative transcriptomic analysis provides key genetic resources in clove basil (Ocimum gratissimum) under cadmium stress.

Planting aromatic plant might be a promising strategy for safely utilizing heavy metal (HM)-contaminated soils, as HMs in essential oil could be completely excluded using some special technologies with ease. Clove basil (Ocimum gratissimum L.) is an important aromatic plant used in essential oil production. Improving cadmium (Cd) tolerance in clove basil can increase its production and improve the utilization efficiency of Cd-contaminated soils. However, the lack of genomic information on clove basil greatly restricts molecular studies and applications in phytoremediation. In this study, we demonstrated that high levels of Cd treatments (0.8, 1.6 and 6.5mg/L) significantly impacted the growth and physiological attributes of clove basil. Cd contents in clove basil tissues increased with treatment concentrations. To identify Cd stress-responsive genes, we conducted a comparative transcriptomic analysis using seedlings cultured in the Hoagland's solution without Cd ion (control) or containing 1.6mg/L CdCl2 (a moderate concentration of Cd stress for clove basil seedlings). A total of 104.38Gb clean data with high-quality were generated in clove basil under Cd stress through Illumina sequencing. More than 1,800 differential expressed genes (DEGs) were identified after Cd treatment. The reliability and reproducibility of the transcriptomic data were validated through qRT-PCR analysis and Sanger sequencing. KEGG classification analysis identified the "MAPK signaling pathway," "plant hormone signal transduction" and "plant-pathogen interaction" as the top three pathways. DEGs were divided into five clusters based on their expression patterns during Cd stress. The functional annotation of DEGs indicated that downregulated DEGs were mainly involved in the "photosynthesis system," whereas upregulated DEGs were significantly assigned to the "MAPK signaling pathway" and "plant-pathogen interaction pathway." Furthermore, we identified a total of 78 transcription factors (TFs), including members of bHLH, WRKY, AP2/ERF, and MYB family. The expression of six bHLH genes, one WRKY and one ERF genes were significantly induced by Cd stress, suggesting that these TFs might play essential roles in regulating Cd stress responses. Overall, our study provides key genetic resources and new insights into Cd adaption mechanisms in clove basil.

Dittrichia viscosa Selection Strategy Based on Stress Produces Stable Clonal Lines for Phytoremediation Applications.

Dittrichia viscosa uptake and translocation of the metalloid As is not fully understood and some data are contradictory, but its adaptability to this pollutant is known and is dependent on its genetic variability. D. viscosa is not a hyperaccumulator plant, but it can grow in high-drought conditions while still producing large biomass, even tolerating significant concentrations of As3+ and As5+. In spite of these remarkable characteristics, adaptive modification of performances is not predictable in wild populations. In previous work, we established experimental clonal populations to perform a functional study on the aquaporin NIP1.1. Here, we propose a strategy to select a clonal population of D. viscosa with a defined phenotype related to As tolerance and to reduced NIP1.1 expression levels for phytoremediation applications. From the previous work, we selected four independent clones, two of them belonging to the weak population (W8 and W9) and the other two belonging to the strong population (S1 and S3). The weak and strong populations differ for a different expression ratio root/shoot of DvNip1;1 that brings a different tolerance to As presence. The stress response of the populations, revealed by the CAT enzymatic test, was statistically correlated to the clones, but not to As uptake. Performance of the selected plants on a second unrelated metallic pollutant, Cd, was evaluated, showing that Cd uptake is also independent from the tolerant phenotype. In vitro culture methods using solid media and temporary immersion bioreactors were compared to propose an optimized combined protocol. The procedure yielded propagation of genetically stable tolerant clonal lines with good uptake of As and Cd. The plants, mass-produced with the developed in vitro protocol, were able to maintain their acquired abilities and are potentially able be later applied in phytoremediation or contaminated areas' re-naturalization.

Reduction of hydrocarbon pollutants by hyacinth plants (Eichhornia crassipes)

Background: The application of phytoremediation by utilizing plants has been used to control oil pollution in waters. One of the plants that can act as a phytoremediator is the hyacinth because this plant can reduce various pollutants including petroleum hydrocarbons. This study aims to study the reduction ability of petroleum hydrocarbons at different concentrations including improving water quality. Methods: This study consisted of one treatment (petroleum hydrocarbon) consisting of five factors with three replicates. The treatments consisted of 10 ppm (E1), 30 ppm (E2), 50 ppm (E3), 70 ppm (E4), 90 ppm (E5), and (E0) without aquatic plants as controls. The treatments were observed daily and measured from the first day (D-1), the seventh day (D-7), and the 14th day (D-14). The water quality in each treatment was also measured, such as water temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen. Results: The results showed that the hyacinth plant was able to reduce hydrocarbon in terms of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) by 79% while it was only between 17–27% naturally without the hyacinth. The reduction of TPH in the water was in line with the decrease of chlorophyll in the leaves of hyacinths, and it was followed by the increase of dissolved oxygen in the water media. Conclusions: In conclusion, hyacinths can reduce petroleum hydrocarbons and they can improve the water quality as well.

Phytoextraction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and the influence of supplements on the performance of short–rotation crops

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are anthropogenic compounds threatening water quality and food safety worldwide. Phytoremediation is a nature-based, cost-effective, and scalable solution with high potential for treating PFAS-contaminated sites. However, there is a large knowledge gap regarding choice of plant species and methods to enhance performance. This study assessed the PFAS phytoextraction potential of sunflower (Helianthus annuus), mustard (Brassica juncea), and industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa) in a greenhouse experiment, using inorganic fertilizer and a microbial mixture as supplements. PFAS concentrations were measured using UPLC-MS/MS, and bioconcentration factors for different plant tissues and removal efficiency were determined. Perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acid (PFCA) accumulation was 0.4–360 times higher than that of perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acid (PFSA) homologues of similar perfluorocarbon chain length. Inorganic fertilizer significantly (p < 0.001) reduced PFAS concentration in all plant tissues, whereas the microbial mixture tested did not affect PFAS concentration. PFAS uptake ranged from 0.2 to 33% per crop cycle. Overall, the potential number of crop cycles required for removal of 90% of individual PFAS ranged from six (PFPeA) to 232 (PFOA) using sunflower, 15 (PFPeA) to 466 (PFOS) using mustard and nine (PFPeA) to 420 (PFOS) using Hemp. In this study, the percentage of PFAS removal by plants was determined, and an estimation of the time required for PFAS phytoextraction was determined for the first time. This information is important for practical phytoremediation applications.

New potential transporter CIPAS8 enhances cadmium hypersensitivity and cobalt tolerance.

CIPAS8 is a novel Cd-influx and Co-efflux transporters, and Ser86 and Cys128 might play a decisive role in Co-binding and translocation. Cadmium (Cd) is among the most toxic heavy metals and is a widespread environmental pollutant. Cobalt (Co) is a mineral nutrient that is essential for plant growth and development, but high concentrations may be toxic. Cadmium-induced protein AS8 (CIPAS8) is widely distributed among plant species and might be induced by heavy metals, but its function has not been studied previously. In this study, Populus euphratica PeCIPAS8 and Salix linearistipularis SlCIPAS8 were investigated. The transcription of both genes was significantly enhanced under Cd and Co stresses. PeCIPAS8 and SlCIPAS8 conferred sensitivity to Cd in transgenic yeast, allowing higher quantities of Cd to accumulate within the cells, whereas SlCIPAS8 also conferred tolerance to Co and reduced Co accumulation. The determinants of substrate selectivity of the SlCIPAS8 protein were examined by site mutagenesis, which indicated that the Ser at 86th (S86) substituted for Arg (R) [S86R] and Cys at 128th (C128) substituted for Ser [C128S] mutations limited the protein's capability for Co translocation. These results suggested that PeCIPAS8 and SlCIPAS8 may be involved in Cd uptake into the plant cell. SlCIPAS8 can reduce excess Co accumulation to maintain intracellular Co homeostasis, and the site mutations S86R and C128S were essential for Co transport. These findings provide insight into the function of CIPAS8 and highlight its potential for utilization in phytoremediation applications.

Unraveling Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Interactions in the Exotic Plant Nicotiana glauca Graham for Enhanced Soil Fertility and Alleviation of Metal Pollution

The harm that invasive species cause to the environment has received a lot of attention. It is therefore appropriate that the current research was undertaken to evaluate the effects of invasion by Nicotiana glauca Graham on soil fertility by looking at (i) its contribution to the mycorrhizal potential of the soil, (ii) its impact on soil richness and diversity in terms of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) community (iii), and its ability to modify the physicochemical characteristics in the invaded soil, specifically cleaning up heavy metal. The current study was conducted at Al Houz plain (Marrakesh region, Morocco), in heavily infested sites by N. glauca. The spores of AMF were isolated using the wet sieving process; the isolated spores were sorted for morphological features using a binocular microscope. The plant roots were thinned and colored before microscopic observation. The most probable number method was used to assess mycorrhizal soil infectivity. Heavy metal contamination in soils was characterized using an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, and the pollution load index (PLI) was utilized to assess and compare the level of heavy metal contamination at each station. The ability of N. glauca to reproduce was evaluated in order to support one of its invasive characteristics. The estimate indicated that each plant might produce more than three million seeds. This significant number guarantees the plant a great capacity for reproduction and invasion. The extra-significant mycorrhizal potential, which can take the form of spores, mycelium, or vesicles that can regenerate mycorrhizae, was discovered by conducting soil analysis in the rhizospheric soils of N. glauca. This research demonstrated the strong mycotrophic capability of N. glauca and the large mycorrhizal potential of soils. Between 4.85 and 305.5 mycorrhizal propagules were considered to be the most probable number (MPN) per 100 g of dry soil. Based on color, shape and size, AMF were classified into five morphotypes corresponding to five genera. The isolated taxa of AMF with the most diverse spores were Glomus, Rhizophagus, Paraglomus, Scutellospora, and Sclerocystis. The Glomus genus was found to have spores in significant quantity. Furthermore, N. glauca demonstrated a potential involvement in the phytoremediation of damaged soils, with a high pollution load index demonstrating a particularly high accumulation of heavy metals. N. glauca is a highly mycotrophic plant that can boost soil mycorrhizal propagule stock. N. glauca has also been demonstrated to be a phytoremediation plant capable of cleansing contaminated soils. As a result, N. glauca could be considered as a prospective candidate for application in phytoremediation of polluted soils.

Silene uniflora Extracts for Strawberry Postharvest Protection.

Halophytes are gaining considerable attention due to their applications in saline agriculture, phytoremediation, medicine, and secondary metabolite production. This study investigated the bioactive components present in Silene uniflora (sea campion) hydromethanolic extract, and their antimicrobial activity was evaluated both in vitro and ex situ against two strawberry phytopathogens, namely Botrytis cinerea (grey mold) and Colletotrichum nymphaeae (anthracnose fruit rot). The main identified phytochemicals were mome inositol, saturated fatty acid esters, and cyclotetracosane. In vitro tests demonstrated complete inhibition of the growth of B. cinerea and C. nymphaeae at extract concentrations of 1000 and 1500 μg·mL-1, respectively, with an activity comparable to that of fosetyl-Al and substantially higher than that of azoxystrobin. This activity was improved upon conjugation with chitosan oligomers (COS), yielding inhibition values of 750 and 1000 μg·mL-1. The COS-S. uniflora conjugate complexes were then tested as protective treatments for postharvest storage of strawberry fruit, resulting in high protection against artificially inoculated B. cinerea and C. nymphaeae at doses of 3750 and 5000 μg·mL-1, respectively. The reported results open the door to the valorization of this halophyte as a source of biorationals for strawberry protection.