Application of EAPR system on the removal of lead from sandy soil and uptake by Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.)

The combined use of electrokinetic remediation and phytoremediation (i.e. electro-assisted phytoremediation, EAPR) to remove lead from contaminated sandy soil and uptake by Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L) has been demonstrated in a laboratory-scale experiment. The effectiveness of two dimensions (2D) of electrode configuration used in the EAPR system was also evaluated through the agar media for rapid process (48 h) and then compared with the experiment in the soil matrix for 15 d. The results obtained from EAPR system were compared with plants exposed to lead in the contaminated soil by using phytoremediation for 30 d process. Here we report a basic difference in plant responses to the lead, depending on the growth condition with respect to the uptake parameters, e.g. bioaccumulation coefficient (BC value), translocation factor (TF value), distribution concentration of lead in roots and shoots system and soil pHs. Several survival parameters for plant were also monitored including water content (dry weight to fresh weight - DW/FW ratio), biomass accumulation (dry matter), and plant chlorophyll (total content and chlorophyll a/b ratio). The effectiveness of common agrochemical-urea, used to facilitate the healthy growth of plants during the stress period was also discussed. Our finding showed that when the plant was grown in the soil by using EAPR system, a high amount of lead was founded in the root and shoot system relative to phytoremediation process. Generally for each method, the BC and TF value of plant grown in EAPR system was high, showing high absorption of lead concentration in the root and then deposited it into the shoots system. Upon the addition of urea, the water content, biomass accumulation and chlorophyll content have shown positive responses for plants in overcoming the stresses of lead in the soil. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.