Phytoextraction of trace metals: Principles and applications

Tiziana Centofanti*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to Book/Report typesChapterpeer-review

Abstract (may include machine translation)

Trace elements (TEs) occur at minor concentration (>1 g kg−1) in the organisms, and some are essential nutrients (Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, B, and Cl) for animals and plants. As a consequence of human activities such as industrial production, mining, transport, and agriculture, they are released in the environment at high concentrations. TEs can accumulate over time under specific environmental conditions, thus becoming environmental contaminants (Cs, Cr, W, U, Cd, Hg, Tl, Pb, Sn, As, Sb, Se). The environmental risk of TEs is associated with the mobility and bioavailability of the metals more than their total concentration. When they become environmentally mobile and move between media (i.e. soil to water), they can enter the food chain by being taken up by plants and animals. TEs cannot be degraded or broken down and at high concentration are toxic to organisms and tend to bioaccumulate in the environment. For example, selenium (Se) is a naturally occurring element with a wide distribution in almost all parent materials on Earth. At low concentration, Se is an essential nutrient but at high concentration is toxic. In the western side of the San Joaquin Valley in California, soils contain significant quantities of soluble mineral salts and trace elements such as Se and boron (B) that have been leached into shallow groundwater and/or drainage waters because of irrigation practices at Kesterson Reservoir in California. Soluble Se bioaccumulated in the avian food chain and resulted in an environmental disaster with high mortality and reproduction failure of migratory birds (Letey et al. 2002; Ohlendorf et al. 1986).
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEnvironmental Sustainability
Subtitle of host publicationRole of Green Technologies
EditorsP. Thangavel, G. Sridevi
PublisherSpringer India
Pages217-228
Number of pages12
ISBN (Electronic)9788132220565
ISBN (Print)9788132220558
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2015
Externally publishedYes

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