Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Fe plaque-related aquatic uranium retention via rhizofiltration along a redox-state gradient in a natural Phragmites australis Trin ex Steud. wetland

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Studies have revealed that the rhizofiltration is a feasible plant-based technology for aquatic metal/metalloid removal. However, the performance of aquatic U retention via rhizofiltration has not been fully revealed yet. In this study, a field investigation was conducted in a Phragmites australis Trin ex Steud. dominated wetland to estimate the efficiency of Fe plaque (IP)-assisted U rhizofiltration, with redox-state gradient (−179 to 220 mV) and low aquatic U level (66.7 to 92.0 μg l−1). The U concentrations were determined in soil, root, and aboveground biomass of P. australis. The IP on root surface was extracted via DCB extraction procedure. The bio-concentration factor (BCF) was applied to evaluate the aquatic U transfer capacity from root to above ground biomass of P. australis. The result suggested that root of P. australis was highly effective for aquatic U uptake via rhizofiltration (BCF 1025 to 1556). It also benefited the real U accumulation in aboveground biomass of P. australis (up to 0.4 mg m−2) and related plant-water-soil U recycling. The IP and associated microbial community in rhizosphere was effective mediator for aquatic U retention on root surface (BCF 1162 to 847). The IP-assisted aquatic U rhizofiltration was significantly promoted in relatively reductive environment. It was benefited by the enhanced root uptake of Fe due to lower oxidizers (e.g., DO and NO3 −) availability. On the other hand, the competitive adsorption effect from co-existing IP-affinitive elements (e.g., As) also possibly impaired the real capacity of IP-assisted aquatic U rhizofiltration via P. australis.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anderson TA, Kruger EL, Coats JR (1993) The potential role of rhizosphere microbial communities in bioremediation of agrochemical wastes. Abstr Pap Am Chem Soc 205:94

    Google Scholar 

  • Banyai I, Glaser J, Micskei K, Toth I, Zekany L (1995) Kinetic behavior of carbonate ligands with different coordination modes: equilibrium dynamics for uranyl (2+) carbonato complexes in aqueous solution. A 13C and 17O NMR study. Inorg Chem 34:3785–3796

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Batty LC, Baker AJM, Wheeler BD, Curtis CD (2000) The effect of pH and plaque on the uptake of Cu and Mn in Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin ex. Steudel. Ann Bot-London 86:647–653

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bernhard G, Geipel G, Reich T, Brendler V, Amayri S, Nitsche H (2001) Uranyl (VI) carbonate complex formation: validation of the Ca2UO2(CO3) (3) (aq.) species. Radiochim Acta 89:511–518

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carvalho IG, Cidu R, Fanfani L, Pitsch H, Beaucaire C, Zuddas P (2005) Environmental impact of uranium mining and ore processing in the Lagoa Real District, Bahia, Brazil. Environ Sci Technol 39:8646–8652

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cerne M, Smodis B, Strok M (2011) Uptake of radionuclides by a common reed (Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. Ex Steud.) grown in the vicinity of the former uranium mine at Zirovski vrh. Nucl Eng Des 241:1282–1286

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chang HS, Buettner SW, Seaman JC, Jaffe PR, van Groos PGK, Li D, Peacock AD, Scheckel KG, Kaplan DI (2014) Uranium immobilization in an iron-rich rhizosphere of a native wetland plant from the Savannah river site under reducing conditions. Environ Sci Technol 48:9270–9278

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Christensen KK, Sand-Jensen K (1998) Precipitated iron and manganese plaques restrict root uptake of phosphorus in Lobelia dortmanna. Canadian Journal of Botany-Revue Canadienne De Botanique 76:2158–2163

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Echevarria G, Sheppard MI, Morel J (2001) Effect of pH on the sorption of uranium in soils. J Environ Radioactiv 53:257–264

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Essilfie-Dughan J, Hendry MJ, Warner J, Kotzer T (2013) Arsenic and iron speciation in uranium mine tailings using X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Appl Geochem 28:11–18

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Finneran KT, Housewright ME, Lovley DR (2002) Multiple influences of nitrate on uranium solubility during bioremediation of uranium-contaminated subsurface sediments. Environ Microbiol 4:510–516

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fritzsche A, Dienemann H, Dudel EG (2006) Arsenic fixation on iron-hydroxide-rich and plant litter-containing sediments in natural environments. Environ Geol 51:133–142

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gilson ER, Huang S, Jaffe PR (2015) Biological reduction of uranium coupled with oxidation of ammonium by Acidimicrobiaceae bacterium A6 under iron reducing conditions. Biodegradation 26:475–482

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hansel CM, Fendorf S, Sutton S, Newville M (2001) Characterization of Fe plaque and associated metals on the roots of mine-waste impacted aquatic plants. Environ Sci Technol 35:3863–3868

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hauck S, Benz M, Brune A, Schink B (2001) Ferrous iron oxidation by denitrifying bacteria in profundal sediments of a deep lake (Lake Constance). FEMS Microbiol Ecol 37:127–134

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hinsinger P, Plassard C, Tang CX, Jaillard B (2003) Origins of root-mediated pH changes in the rhizosphere and their responses to environmental constraints: a review. Plant Soil 248:43–59

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hsi CKD, Langmuir D (1985) Adsorption of uranyl onto ferric oxyhydroxides—application of the surface complexation site-binding model. Geochim Cosmochim Ac 49:1931–1941

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jakobsen ST (1994) Aerobic decomposition of organic wastes .1. Stoichiometric calculation of air change. Resour Conserv Recy 12:165–175

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan DI, Kukkadapu R, Seaman JC, Arey BW, Dohnalkova AC, Buettner S, Li D, Varga T, Scheckel KG, Jaffé PR (2016) Iron mineralogy and uranium-binding environment in the rhizosphere of a wetland soil. Sci Total Environ 569-570:53–64

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khani MH, Keshtkar AR, Ghannadi M, Pahlavanzadeh H (2008) Equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic study of the biosorption of uranium onto Cystoseria indica algae. J Hazard Mater 150:612–618

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Koster van Groos PG, Kaplan DI, Chang HS, Seaman JC, Li D, Peacock AD, Scheckel KG, Jaffé PR (2016) Uranium fate in wetland mesocosms: effects of plants at two iron loadings with different pH values. Chemosphere 163:116–124

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kropfelova L, Vymazal J, Svehla J, Stichova J (2009) Removal of trace elements in three horizontal sub-surface flow constructed wetlands in the Czech Republic. Environ Pollut 157:1186–1194

  • Langmuir D (1978) Uranium solution-mineral equilibria at low-temperatures with applications to sedimentary ore-deposits. Geochim Cosmochim Ac 42:547–569

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lapham SC, Millard JB, Samet JM (1989) Health implications of radionuclide levels in cattle raised near U mining and milling facilities in Ambrosia lake, New-Mexico. Health Phys 56:327–340

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li GY, Hu N, Ding DX, Zheng JF, Liu YL, Wang YD, Nie XQ (2011) Screening of plant species for phytoremediation of uranium, thorium, barium, nickel, strontium and lead contaminated soils from a uranium mill tailings repository in south China. B Environ Contam Tox 86:646–652

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu WJ, Zhu YG, Hu Y, Zhao QL (2008) Effects of arsenic from soil and irrigation-water on as accumulation on the root surfaces and in mature rice plants (Oryza sativa L.) Environmental Science 29:862–868

    Google Scholar 

  • Lu L, Tian S, Zhang M, Zhang J, Yang X, Jiang H (2010) The role of Ca pathway in Cd uptake and translocation by the hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii. J Hazard Mater 183:22–28

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Massey MS, Lezama-Pacheco JS, Jones ME, Ilton ES, Cerrato JM, Bargar JR, Fendorf S (2014) Competing retention pathways of uranium upon reaction with Fe (II). Geochim Cosmochim Ac 142:166–185

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Miao Z, Akyol HN, McMillan AL, Brusseau ML (2013) Transport and fate of ammonium and its impact on uranium and other trace elements at a former uranium mill tailing site. Appl Geochem 38:24–32

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nassour M, Weiske A, Schaller J, Brackhage C, Dudel EG (2015) Distribution and relationship of uranium and radium along an Allochthonously dominated wetland gradient. Arch Environ Con Tox 68:317–322

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pentrakova L, Su K, Pentrak M, Stuck JW (2013) A review of microbial redox interactions with structural Fe in clay minerals. Clay Miner 48:543–560

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Petrie L, North NN, Dollhopf SL, Balkwill DL, Kostka JE (2003) Enumeration and characterization of iron (III)-reducing microbial communities from acidic subsurface sediments contaminated with uranium (VI). Appl Environ Microb 69:7467–7479

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Poorter H, Niklas KJ, Reich PB, Oleksyn J, Poot P, Mommer L (2012) Biomass allocation to leaves, stems and roots: meta-analyses of interspecific variation and environmental control. New Phytol 193:30–50

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ruiz-Rueda O, Hallin S, Baneras L (2009) Structure and function of denitrifying and nitrifying bacterial communities in relation to the plant species in a constructed wetland. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 67:308–319

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sorrell BK, Mendelssohn IA, McKee KL, Woods RA (2000) Ecophysiology of wetland plant roots: a modelling comparison of aeration in relation to species distribution. Ann Bot-London 86:675–685

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stewart BD, Neiss J, Fendorf S (2007) Quantifying constraints imposed by calcium and iron on bacterial reduction of uranium (VI). J Environ Qual 36:363–372

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stewart BD, Nico PS, Fendorf S (2009) Stability of uranium incorporated into Fe (Hydr) oxides under fluctuating redox conditions. Environ Sci Technol 43:4922–4927

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Syu CH, Lee CH, Jiang PY, Chen MK, Lee DY (2014) Comparison of As sequestration in iron plaque and uptake by different genotypes of rice plants grown in As-contaminated paddy soils. Plant Soil 374:411–422

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Van Horn JD, Huang H (2006) Uranium (VI) bio-coordination chemistry from biochemical, solution and protein structural data. Coordin Chem Rev 250:765–775

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vymazal J, Svehla J, Kropfelova L, Chrastny V (2007) Trace metals in Phragmites australis and Phalaris arundinacea growing in constructed and natural wetlands. Sci Total Environ 380:154–162

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vymazal J, Brezinova T (2015) Heavy metals in plants in constructed and natural wetlands: concentration, accumulation and seasonality. Water Sci Technol 71:268–276

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weiss JV, Emerson D, Backer SM, Megonigal JP (2003) Enumeration of Fe (II)-oxidizing and Fe (III)-reducing bacteria in the root zone of wetland plants: implications for a rhizosphere iron cycle. Biogeochemistry 64:77–96

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • White PJ (2001) The pathways of calcium movement to the xylem. J Exp Bot 52:891–899

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wu C, Ye Z, Li H, Wu S, Deng D, Zhu Y, Wong M (2012) Do radial oxygen loss and external aeration affect iron plaque formation and arsenic accumulation and speciation in rice? J Exp Bot 63:2961–2970

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wu WM, Carley J, Green SJ, Luo J, Kelly SD, Van Nostrand J, Lowe K, Mehlhorn T, Carroll S, Boonchayanant B, Loefller FE, Watson D, Kemner KM, Zhou J, Kitanidis PK, Kostka JE, Jardine PM, Criddle CS (2010) Effects of nitrate on the stability of uranium in a bioreduced region of the subsurface. Environ Sci Technol 44:5104–5111

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xu D, Xu J, He Y, Huang PM (2009) Effect of iron plaque formation on phosphorus accumulation and availability in the rhizosphere of wetland plants. Water Air Soil Poll 200:79–87

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ye ZH, Cheung KC, Wong MH (2001) Copper uptake in Typha latifolia as affected by iron and manganese plaque on the root surface. Canadian Journal of Botany-Revue Canadienne De Botanique 79:314–320

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zimmerman JE, Bui QT, Liu HX, Bonini NM (2000) Molecular genetic analysis of Drosophila eyes absent mutants reveals an eye enhancer element. Genetics 154:237–246

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the support provided by the Technical University of Dresden and China Scholarship Council for this study (Grant No. 2011671061). The authors also appreciate the assistance of the colleagues (particularly Dr. Arndt Weiske, Dipl.-Chem. Gisela Ciesielski, Yan Lu, and Carsten Brackhage) in processes of planning, sampling, analysis, and discussion of results.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Plant and Wood Chemistry, Dresden University of Technology, Pienner Strasse 19, D-01737, Tharandt, Germany

    Weiqing Wang & E. Gert Dudel

Authors
  1. Weiqing Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. E. Gert Dudel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Weiqing Wang.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Wang, W., Gert Dudel, E. Fe plaque-related aquatic uranium retention via rhizofiltration along a redox-state gradient in a natural Phragmites australis Trin ex Steud. wetland. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24, 12185–12194 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-8889-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-8889-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation