Combination application of elemental sulfur and earthworm increased the lead (Pb) uptake by ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) in contaminated agricultural soil

The phytoremediation efficiency is largely depends on the bioavailability of heavy metal in soil. The activity of earthworms and oxidation of elemental sulfur (S-0) in soil has influence on heavy metal speciation transformation in soil. By conducting pot experiment, we examined the possibility of enhancing phytoextraction efficiency of lead (Pb) in soil by ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) with application of both S-0 and earthworms. Results showed that the addition of S-0 decreased soil pH and increased soil CEC, while a slight trend of decrease for soil pH and increase for CEC was found with earthworm application. In soil treated with earthworms, the addition of S-0 increased the concentration of DTPA-extractable Pb by 9.9 similar to 20.8%. The concentration of diffusive gradients in thin film (DGT)-extractable Pb was increased by 26.31 similar to 32.9% with S-0 and earthworm addition. In soil treated with earthworms, the addition of S-0 increased the concentration of Pb in shoots of ryegrass by 55.7 similar to 110.4% and the translocation factor of Pb in ryegrass was also increased by S-0 addition. Our results suggested that the combination application of earthworms and S-0 could be an effective way to enhance the remediation efficiency of ryegrass for Pb-contaminated soil.

Automated summary

The combination application of earthworms and S-0 was found to enhance the phytoextraction efficiency of ryegrass for lead-contaminated soil. The addition of S-0 affected soil pH and CEC, while earthworm application increased the extractable lead concentration in soil. This study suggests that the use of earthworms and S-0 together could be an effective approach for lead remediation in soil.