Variations in phytoremediation potential and phytoavailability of heavy metals in different Salix genotypes subjected to seasonal flooding

Climate-related flooding poses a potential challenge to phytoremediation of metal polluted areas. In the present study, uptake, translocation and accumulation of heavy metals (Cd, Zn and Cu), and their phytoavailability in six flood-tolerant Salix genotypes were investigated under simulated seasonal flooding conditions (non-flooding conditions were kept as the control). Plants were cultivated in a greenhouse with open windows using the soil polluted with Cd, Zn and Cu for 110 days. All the control (non-flooded) genotypes did not exhibit visible toxic symptoms, whereas the flooded genotypes showed leaf chlorosis and developed both lenticels and adventitious roots. Biomass production and metal accumulation in tissues varied with Salix genotypes. The flooded genotypes dramatically decreased aerial biomass production compared with corresponding non-flooded genotypes. All the control Salix genotypes showed relatively high accumulation for Cd, Zn and Cu in aerial parts due to high EDTAextractable metals in the rhizosphere, exhibiting phytoextraction features. In contrast, the flooded genotypes drastically decreased uptake, translocation, accumulation, and extraction capacities for Cd, Zn and Cu in aerial parts, differing with genotypes, and tended to phyto-stabilize them in roots, especially Cu. This study indicated that flooding is a leading factor on phytoremediation efficiency for contaminated sites with willows.

Automated summary

Climate-related flooding can potentially hinder the phytoremediation of metal polluted areas. This study found that flood-tolerant Salix genotypes exhibited decreased metal accumulation in aerial parts under flooding conditions, with a tendency to stabilize metals in roots. Flooded genotypes showed lower extraction capacities compared to non-flooded genotypes, emphasizing the importance of considering flooding in phytoremediation strategies.