- Email: [email protected]
Sustainable phytoremediation based on naturally colonizing and economically valuable plants
Journal of Cleaner Production xxx (2014) 1e3
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Journal of Cleaner Production journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jclepro
Note from the field
Sustainable phytoremediation based on naturally colonizing and economically valuable plants Vimal Chandra Pandey a, *, Deep Narayan Pandey b, Nandita Singh a a b
Eco-Auditing Group, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board, Jaipur, India
a r t i c l e i n f o
a b s t r a c t
Article history: Received 30 April 2014 Received in revised form 12 August 2014 Accepted 12 August 2014 Available online xxx
The present article briefly describes a strategy to accomplish “sustainable phytoremediation” to address the challenge of bio-accumulation of heavy metals in contaminated sites. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Sustainable phytoremediation Heavy metals Contaminated sites Naturally colonizing species Economically valuable plants
1. The challenge Continuous increase in the number and area of contaminated soil and aquatic ecosystems due to toxic heavy metals is a major concern worldwide. Conventional technologies entail large costs for the remediation of heavy metals polluted sites. Phytoremediation, while useful, it nevertheless has challenge of bioaccumulation of heavy metals in the plants that pose hazard to human health through potential entry into humans and their livestock. A more holistic approach, therefore, is urgently required to address this challenge. Here we propose the use of unpalatable, perennial and economically valuable natural colonizer species, rather than introduced species, for the remediation of polluted soils. Polluted areas represent a major challenge for the survival of living organisms including humans. Several areas and ecosystems have been converted into major toxic hotspots, and many are likely to be added to the list. In August 2013, the United States Environmental Protection Agency identified 66,000 locations where contaminated lands, landfills and mine sites could be used for cultivation of energy crops (EPA, 2013). Thus, protecting precious
* Corresponding author. Tel.: þ91 5222297932, þ91 9454287575. E-mail addresses: [email protected], [email protected] (V.C. Pandey).
soil resources from further damage through sustainable phytoremediation of heavy metal contaminated soils is critically required (Kuppens et al., 2014; Nie et al., 2010). Accordingly, we provide a novel strategy. 2. The sustainable phytoremediation It is well known that heavy metals cannot be degraded and destroyed. They bio-accumulate through food chain and carry large potential human health risks. Among all the available technologies, phytoremediation is a low-cost technology for to remediate the contaminated areas. Plants can remediate pollutants through several processes like adsorption, transport and translocation, hyper-accumulation or transformation and mineralization (Meagher, 2000). A number of naturally colonizing plant species have been reported to grow on heavy metals contaminated sites. Only a few of these, however, are useful for phytoremediation and creating a multifunctional ecosystem. The characteristics that make any species useful for phytoremediation include fast-growth with capability to accumulate large biomass, easier and rapid propagation, profuse root system, high metal accumulation capacity, tolerance to harsh local soil condition, and unpalatable by livestock (Pandey et al., 2012a). It is also desirable that these species should be perennial, and should be able to initiate ecological succession. In addition, the species taken for remediation should also be useful from the perspective of yield of goods and services to the society.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.08.030 0959-6526/© 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Please cite this article in press as: Pandey, V.C., et al., Sustainable phytoremediation based on naturally colonizing and economically valuable plants, Journal of Cleaner Production (2014), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.08.030
2
V.C. Pandey et al. / Journal of Cleaner Production xxx (2014) 1e3
Additional benefits can also include carbon sequestration, substrate quality enhancement, pleasant landscape, biodiversity conservation (Pandey, 2002; Pandey, 2013). Ignoring the issues of cost of inputs and maintenance, majority of the available research to date recommend introduced plant species for phytoremediation. For example, a Scopus based survey by Vamerali et al. (2010) revealed that globally, mainly the introduced crop species are involved in phytoremediation. It clearly shows that little concern is given to naturally colonizing vegetation for the phytoremediation of contaminated sites. However, using introduced crop species for phytoremediation has numerous ecological, economic and social challenges. The introduced crops require inputs and maintenances for their establishment on the harsh conditions that prevail in heavy metals contaminated sites. Furthermore, if the introduced crops relate to edible species, then there is a serious danger of heavy metals entering in food chain and consequent human health risks. These problems can be avoided by using naturally growing species that may be unpalatable and yet economically and socially useful to the society (Pandey and Singh, 2011). Directing our scientific efforts in generating relevant knowledge in this direction, and linking that knowledge to action can help us in reducing the human health risks and well as obtaining more from the phytoremediation efforts. A conceptual diagram is proposed here to introduce the
novel approach for “sustainable phytoremediation”, we propose here (Fig. 1.). 3. Ecologically and economically useful species Naturally colonizing species are the most appropriate option for phytoremediation of contaminated sites. If scientists, through interdisciplinary efforts, are able to screen ecologically and socioeconomically important plant species or commercial crops such as aromatic plants and energy crops among naturally colonizing species, then sustainable phytoremediation can be achieved. Some example of ecologically and socio-economically important plant species are munj (Saccharum munja) and Kans (S. spontaneum), etc. These species have been identified as excluders that limit heavy metals toxicity. Likewise, some aromatic plants such as vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides), lemon grass (Cymbopogon flexuosus), tulsi (Ocimum basilicum) are stress tolerant in nature. The main product of aromatic crops is essential oil that is free from heavy metal risk (Khajanchi et al., 2013). The promising energy crops like Ricinus communis (Pandey, 2013),Jatropha curcas (Pandey et al., 2012b),Miscanthus giganteus (Nsanganwimana et al., 2014), etc. have the ability for phytoremediation of contaminated sites along with a range of ecological and ecosystem services. All these species are perennial and unpalatable by livestock. They are also
Fig. 1. A conceptual diagram showing to introduce the novel approach for sustainable phytoremediation.
Please cite this article in press as: Pandey, V.C., et al., Sustainable phytoremediation based on naturally colonizing and economically valuable plants, Journal of Cleaner Production (2014), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.08.030
V.C. Pandey et al. / Journal of Cleaner Production xxx (2014) 1e3
ecologically appropriate for phytoremediation of heavy metals in polluted sites, and thus offer a novel opportunity for their use in phytoremediation. More specifically, there is no or very limited risk in use of main product of such species (i.e., essential oils, biodiesel). 4. Conclusion In conclusion, using species that are natural colonizers, perennial in nature and unpalatable by livestock and yet have socioeconomic value is urgently required. The strategy we proposed for sustainable phytoremediation based on naturally colonizing and economically valuable plants is indeed a safe and sustainable approach. Scientists and practitioners both are required to play their role for producing relevant science and using that science to make the difference on the ground. Acknowledgments Financial assistance given to first author as Young Scientist under Fast Track Scheme (No.SR/FTP/ES-96/2012) by Science and Engineering Research Board, Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India, New Delhi is gratefully acknowledged. Authors are also thankful to Dr. C.S. Nautiyal, Director, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow for his kind support. Authors sincerely apologise to all other phytoremediation researchers whose work could not be cited due to space limit.
3
References EPA
Mapping and Screening Tools. Available at: http://www.epa.gov/ renewableenergyland/rd_mapping_tool.htm. Khajanchi, L., Yadava, R.K., Kaurb, R., Bundelaa, D.S., Khana, M.I., Chaudharya, M., Meenaa, R.L., Dara, S.R., Singha, G., 2013. Productivity, essential oil yield, and heavy metal accumulation in lemon grass (Cymbopogonflexuosus) under varied wastewater-groundwater irrigation regimes. Ind. Crop. Prod. 45, 270e278. Kuppens, T., Van Dael, M., Vanreppelen, K., Thewys, T., Yperman, J., Carleer, R., Schreurs, S., Van Passel, S., 2014. Techno-economic assessment of fast pyrolysis for the valorization of short rotation coppice cultivated for phytoextraction. J. Clean. Prod. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.07.023. Meagher, R.B.P., 2000. Phytoremediation of toxic elemental and organic pollutants. Curr. Opin. Plant Biol. 3, 153e162. Nie, S.W., Gao, W.S., Chen, Y.Q., Sui, P., Eneji, A.E., 2010. Use of life cycle assessment methodology for determining phytoremediation potentials of maize-based cropping systems in fields with nitrogen fertilizer over-dose. J. Clean. Prod. 18, 1528e1532. Nsanganwimana, F., Pourrut, B., Mench, M., Francis Douay, F., 2014. Suitability of Miscanthus species for managing inorganic and organic contaminated land and restoring ecosystem services. A review. J. Environ. Manage. 143, 123e134. Pandey, D.N., 2002. Sustainability science for mine-spoil restoration. Curr. Sci. 83, 792e793. Pandey, V.C., 2013. Suitability of Ricinus communis L. cultivation for phytoremediation of fly ash disposal sites. Ecol. Eng. 57, 336e341. Pandey, V.C., Singh, K., 2011. Is Vigna radiata suitable for the revegetation of fly ash landfills? Ecol. Eng. 37, 2105e2106. Pandey, V.C., Singh, K., Singh, J.S., Kumar, A., Singh, B., Singh, R.P., 2012a. Jatropha curcas: a potential biofuel plant for sustainable environmental development. Renew. Sust. Energ. Rev. 16, 2870e2883. Pandey, V.C., Singh, K., Singh, R.P., Singh, B., 2012b. Naturally growing Saccharum munja on the fly ash lagoons: a potential ecological engineer for the revegetation and stabilization. Ecol. Eng. 40, 95e99. Vamerali, T., Marianna, B., Giuliano, M., 2010. Field crops for phytoremediation of metal-contaminated land: a review. Environ. Chem. Lett. 8, 1e17.
Please cite this article in press as: Pandey, V.C., et al., Sustainable phytoremediation based on naturally colonizing and economically valuable plants, Journal of Cleaner Production (2014), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.08.030
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Journal of Cleaner Production journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jclepro
Note from the field
Sustainable phytoremediation based on naturally colonizing and economically valuable plants Vimal Chandra Pandey a, *, Deep Narayan Pandey b, Nandita Singh a a b
Eco-Auditing Group, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board, Jaipur, India
a r t i c l e i n f o
a b s t r a c t
Article history: Received 30 April 2014 Received in revised form 12 August 2014 Accepted 12 August 2014 Available online xxx
The present article briefly describes a strategy to accomplish “sustainable phytoremediation” to address the challenge of bio-accumulation of heavy metals in contaminated sites. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Sustainable phytoremediation Heavy metals Contaminated sites Naturally colonizing species Economically valuable plants
1. The challenge Continuous increase in the number and area of contaminated soil and aquatic ecosystems due to toxic heavy metals is a major concern worldwide. Conventional technologies entail large costs for the remediation of heavy metals polluted sites. Phytoremediation, while useful, it nevertheless has challenge of bioaccumulation of heavy metals in the plants that pose hazard to human health through potential entry into humans and their livestock. A more holistic approach, therefore, is urgently required to address this challenge. Here we propose the use of unpalatable, perennial and economically valuable natural colonizer species, rather than introduced species, for the remediation of polluted soils. Polluted areas represent a major challenge for the survival of living organisms including humans. Several areas and ecosystems have been converted into major toxic hotspots, and many are likely to be added to the list. In August 2013, the United States Environmental Protection Agency identified 66,000 locations where contaminated lands, landfills and mine sites could be used for cultivation of energy crops (EPA, 2013). Thus, protecting precious
* Corresponding author. Tel.: þ91 5222297932, þ91 9454287575. E-mail addresses: [email protected], [email protected] (V.C. Pandey).
soil resources from further damage through sustainable phytoremediation of heavy metal contaminated soils is critically required (Kuppens et al., 2014; Nie et al., 2010). Accordingly, we provide a novel strategy. 2. The sustainable phytoremediation It is well known that heavy metals cannot be degraded and destroyed. They bio-accumulate through food chain and carry large potential human health risks. Among all the available technologies, phytoremediation is a low-cost technology for to remediate the contaminated areas. Plants can remediate pollutants through several processes like adsorption, transport and translocation, hyper-accumulation or transformation and mineralization (Meagher, 2000). A number of naturally colonizing plant species have been reported to grow on heavy metals contaminated sites. Only a few of these, however, are useful for phytoremediation and creating a multifunctional ecosystem. The characteristics that make any species useful for phytoremediation include fast-growth with capability to accumulate large biomass, easier and rapid propagation, profuse root system, high metal accumulation capacity, tolerance to harsh local soil condition, and unpalatable by livestock (Pandey et al., 2012a). It is also desirable that these species should be perennial, and should be able to initiate ecological succession. In addition, the species taken for remediation should also be useful from the perspective of yield of goods and services to the society.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.08.030 0959-6526/© 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Please cite this article in press as: Pandey, V.C., et al., Sustainable phytoremediation based on naturally colonizing and economically valuable plants, Journal of Cleaner Production (2014), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.08.030
2
V.C. Pandey et al. / Journal of Cleaner Production xxx (2014) 1e3
Additional benefits can also include carbon sequestration, substrate quality enhancement, pleasant landscape, biodiversity conservation (Pandey, 2002; Pandey, 2013). Ignoring the issues of cost of inputs and maintenance, majority of the available research to date recommend introduced plant species for phytoremediation. For example, a Scopus based survey by Vamerali et al. (2010) revealed that globally, mainly the introduced crop species are involved in phytoremediation. It clearly shows that little concern is given to naturally colonizing vegetation for the phytoremediation of contaminated sites. However, using introduced crop species for phytoremediation has numerous ecological, economic and social challenges. The introduced crops require inputs and maintenances for their establishment on the harsh conditions that prevail in heavy metals contaminated sites. Furthermore, if the introduced crops relate to edible species, then there is a serious danger of heavy metals entering in food chain and consequent human health risks. These problems can be avoided by using naturally growing species that may be unpalatable and yet economically and socially useful to the society (Pandey and Singh, 2011). Directing our scientific efforts in generating relevant knowledge in this direction, and linking that knowledge to action can help us in reducing the human health risks and well as obtaining more from the phytoremediation efforts. A conceptual diagram is proposed here to introduce the
novel approach for “sustainable phytoremediation”, we propose here (Fig. 1.). 3. Ecologically and economically useful species Naturally colonizing species are the most appropriate option for phytoremediation of contaminated sites. If scientists, through interdisciplinary efforts, are able to screen ecologically and socioeconomically important plant species or commercial crops such as aromatic plants and energy crops among naturally colonizing species, then sustainable phytoremediation can be achieved. Some example of ecologically and socio-economically important plant species are munj (Saccharum munja) and Kans (S. spontaneum), etc. These species have been identified as excluders that limit heavy metals toxicity. Likewise, some aromatic plants such as vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides), lemon grass (Cymbopogon flexuosus), tulsi (Ocimum basilicum) are stress tolerant in nature. The main product of aromatic crops is essential oil that is free from heavy metal risk (Khajanchi et al., 2013). The promising energy crops like Ricinus communis (Pandey, 2013),Jatropha curcas (Pandey et al., 2012b),Miscanthus giganteus (Nsanganwimana et al., 2014), etc. have the ability for phytoremediation of contaminated sites along with a range of ecological and ecosystem services. All these species are perennial and unpalatable by livestock. They are also
Fig. 1. A conceptual diagram showing to introduce the novel approach for sustainable phytoremediation.
Please cite this article in press as: Pandey, V.C., et al., Sustainable phytoremediation based on naturally colonizing and economically valuable plants, Journal of Cleaner Production (2014), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.08.030
V.C. Pandey et al. / Journal of Cleaner Production xxx (2014) 1e3
ecologically appropriate for phytoremediation of heavy metals in polluted sites, and thus offer a novel opportunity for their use in phytoremediation. More specifically, there is no or very limited risk in use of main product of such species (i.e., essential oils, biodiesel). 4. Conclusion In conclusion, using species that are natural colonizers, perennial in nature and unpalatable by livestock and yet have socioeconomic value is urgently required. The strategy we proposed for sustainable phytoremediation based on naturally colonizing and economically valuable plants is indeed a safe and sustainable approach. Scientists and practitioners both are required to play their role for producing relevant science and using that science to make the difference on the ground. Acknowledgments Financial assistance given to first author as Young Scientist under Fast Track Scheme (No.SR/FTP/ES-96/2012) by Science and Engineering Research Board, Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India, New Delhi is gratefully acknowledged. Authors are also thankful to Dr. C.S. Nautiyal, Director, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow for his kind support. Authors sincerely apologise to all other phytoremediation researchers whose work could not be cited due to space limit.
3
References EPA
Mapping and Screening Tools. Available at: http://www.epa.gov/ renewableenergyland/rd_mapping_tool.htm. Khajanchi, L., Yadava, R.K., Kaurb, R., Bundelaa, D.S., Khana, M.I., Chaudharya, M., Meenaa, R.L., Dara, S.R., Singha, G., 2013. Productivity, essential oil yield, and heavy metal accumulation in lemon grass (Cymbopogonflexuosus) under varied wastewater-groundwater irrigation regimes. Ind. Crop. Prod. 45, 270e278. Kuppens, T., Van Dael, M., Vanreppelen, K., Thewys, T., Yperman, J., Carleer, R., Schreurs, S., Van Passel, S., 2014. Techno-economic assessment of fast pyrolysis for the valorization of short rotation coppice cultivated for phytoextraction. J. Clean. Prod. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.07.023. Meagher, R.B.P., 2000. Phytoremediation of toxic elemental and organic pollutants. Curr. Opin. Plant Biol. 3, 153e162. Nie, S.W., Gao, W.S., Chen, Y.Q., Sui, P., Eneji, A.E., 2010. Use of life cycle assessment methodology for determining phytoremediation potentials of maize-based cropping systems in fields with nitrogen fertilizer over-dose. J. Clean. Prod. 18, 1528e1532. Nsanganwimana, F., Pourrut, B., Mench, M., Francis Douay, F., 2014. Suitability of Miscanthus species for managing inorganic and organic contaminated land and restoring ecosystem services. A review. J. Environ. Manage. 143, 123e134. Pandey, D.N., 2002. Sustainability science for mine-spoil restoration. Curr. Sci. 83, 792e793. Pandey, V.C., 2013. Suitability of Ricinus communis L. cultivation for phytoremediation of fly ash disposal sites. Ecol. Eng. 57, 336e341. Pandey, V.C., Singh, K., 2011. Is Vigna radiata suitable for the revegetation of fly ash landfills? Ecol. Eng. 37, 2105e2106. Pandey, V.C., Singh, K., Singh, J.S., Kumar, A., Singh, B., Singh, R.P., 2012a. Jatropha curcas: a potential biofuel plant for sustainable environmental development. Renew. Sust. Energ. Rev. 16, 2870e2883. Pandey, V.C., Singh, K., Singh, R.P., Singh, B., 2012b. Naturally growing Saccharum munja on the fly ash lagoons: a potential ecological engineer for the revegetation and stabilization. Ecol. Eng. 40, 95e99. Vamerali, T., Marianna, B., Giuliano, M., 2010. Field crops for phytoremediation of metal-contaminated land: a review. Environ. Chem. Lett. 8, 1e17.
Please cite this article in press as: Pandey, V.C., et al., Sustainable phytoremediation based on naturally colonizing and economically valuable plants, Journal of Cleaner Production (2014), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.08.030