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Effects of Organic Acids and Sylvite on Phytoextraction of 241Am Contaminated Soil

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Abstract

Contamination of soil with Americium (241Am) at nuclear sites in China poses a serious problem. We screened six plants, from five families, for their 241Am-enrichment potential. Europium (Eu), which is morphologically and chemically similar to the highly toxic 241Am, was used in its place. Moreover, the effects of sylvite, citric acid (CA), malic acid (MA), and humic acid (HA) on the absorption of 241Am by the plants, and its transport within them, were evaluated along with their effect on plant biomass and 241Am extraction volume. Barley and cabbage showed relatively stronger Eu accumulation capacities. Citric acid promoted the absorption of 241Am by barley roots and its transport within the plants. The effects of sylvite were not obvious and those of HA were the weakest in case of sunflower; HA, however, maximally increased the biomass of the plants. Our results could provide the basis for future radionuclide phytoremediation of contaminated soils.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the associate researcher, Manfei Pu (Nuclear Physics and Chemistry Institute of Chinese Academy of Engineering Physics), and research assistant, Bo Wu, for their help and support in plant cultivation and sample preparation. The funding was provided by the National Natural Science Foundations of China (21577133).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang City, 621900, Sichuan Province, China

    Ping Wang, Liang Du, Zhaoyi Tan, Rongbo Su & Taowen Li

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  1. Ping Wang
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  2. Liang Du
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  3. Zhaoyi Tan
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  4. Rongbo Su
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  5. Taowen Li
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Correspondence to Ping Wang.

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Wang, P., Du, L., Tan, Z. et al. Effects of Organic Acids and Sylvite on Phytoextraction of 241Am Contaminated Soil. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 98, 407–412 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-016-2004-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-016-2004-3

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