Efficiency of metal(loid) phytostabilization by white lupin (Lupinus albus), common vetch (Vicia sativa), and buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum).

Abstract

Abstract The accumulation of metal(loid)s in soils, often linked to human activities, is a source of toxicity for living organisms. Erosion and leaching from contaminated sites can spread pollution to adjacent ecosystems. Phytostabilization is a method that consists of selecting plant species accumulating little or no metal(loid)s in aerial parts to establish a vegetation cover and thus to stabilize the soil. Seeds of white lupin, cultivated vetch, and buckwheat were sown in greenhouse on soils from former French mines (Pontgibaud and Vaulry) contaminated with several metal(loid)s including high concentrations of arsenic and lead. After 4 weeks of exposure, the growth of white lupin was less affected than that of the 2 other species probably because the concentration of metal(loid)s measured in the roots and aerial parts of lupins was lower. In addition, the level of antioxidant molecules and metal(loid) scavenging compounds was higher in white lupin suggesting that this species could be a good candidate for metal(loid) phytostabilization. However, the level of oxidation was higher than in control plants, suggesting that amendments could be tested to improve the tolerance of this species to metal(loid)s.