Phosphate fertilizer affected rhizospheric soils: speciation of cadmium and phytoremediation by Chlorophytum comosum

Experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of phosphate fertilization on chemical speciation of cadmium (Cd) in the rhizospheric soil of Chlorophytum comosum, a potential cadmium hyperaccumulator. The results revealed that when 200 mg kg(-1) phosphate was applied into the soil, the Cd contents in the exchangeable fraction (EXC), carbonate-binding fraction (CA), and Fe-Mnoxides-binding fraction (Fe-Mn) were the highest, and the Cd content in the residual fraction (RES) was the lowest. Phosphate fertilization could enhance Cd conversion from RES into CA and weak RES, thereby improving the bio-availability of Cd and enhancing Cd enrichment and adsorption by C. comosum. The total Cd content in the soil was reduced by 10.15 mg kg(-1) in the planted group, which was significantly different from the control group (p < 0.01). The highest bioaccumulation coefficient (BC) values in root and aboveground parts appeared when the phosphate rates were 276 and 217 mg kg(-1), whereas the highest translocation factor (TF) occurred with a phosphate rate of 188 mg kg-1. Phosphate fertilization facilitated phytoremediation of Cd-polluted soil by C. comosum.