Humic acids impact on heavy metal phytoextraction in Tagetes patula L.

Abstract

In a model study, we analysed the impact of humic acids (HAs, 500 ppm) on the accumulation of heavy metals (HMs; Pb, Cu, Ni and Zn) in roots and aboveground organs of the annual ornamental plant Tagetes patula (Scarlet variety) cultivated on the Terra Vita nutritive substrate used in modern cultural landscape mulching to imitate the upper fertile root layer (UR-RAT) of contaminated urban soils in megacities. Plants were grown in full photoculture (at no sunlight) in pots placed in a closed grow box, maintaining internal microclimate. A modern HLG Quantum Board QB288 V2 Rspec LED panel enabled with vegetation modes was used as light source. HMs were introduced in substrate as aqueous saline. Each setting was quadruplicated. Total experiment duration was 30 days. Tagetes patula was proved a particularly effective phytoextractor of Zn applied at 40 mg/kg (p<0.01). At the same time, the plants showed high tolerance to toxic growth inhibition (in biometry of the above- and underground organ length and mass) and preserved external aesthetics. Metals were further graded by phytomass accumulation as follows: Cu>Pb>Ni. Ni at 30 mg/kg had a major impact on plant weight and length, which sets off the variety as a sensitive phytoexcluder for this metal. HAs increased aboveground mass in all settings and decreased the HM mass impact. A sharp root mass reduction was observed in combinations of the two factors (HMs+HAs), which was clearly reflected in impaired root mass in zinc settings. A single metal addition reduced the mass by average 12.0 % (p<0.01) vs. control (no HAs or HMs), whilst a combined HAs+HMs administration induced its 65.0 % reduction (p<0.01). The results obtained indicate a good root buffering capacity for HM translocation from the rhizosphere to aboveground parts. In general, HA usage is promising for creating the green space and phytoremediation of urban HM-contaminated soils.