Research
| Title： | Unveiling the phytoremediation potential and mechanisms of Phyla canescens in heavy metal-contaminated soils |
|---|---|
| First author： | Cai, Xixi; Ou, Ruixiang; Wu, Jianquan; Li, Dunhai; Li, Jianying; Peng, Chengrong; Li, Jibing; Qin, Hongjie |
| Journal： | ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH |
| Years： | 2025 |
| DOI： | 10.1016/j.envres.2025.123063 |
| Abstract： | Identifying heavy metal-tolerant plants and their functional characteristics are crucial for the sustainable remediation and reuse of contaminated soils. Phyla canescens, originally from South America, is now widely distributed globally and used in ground cover management, but its phytoremediation potential has not yet been fully explored. This study systematically evaluated the growth performance, heavy metal uptake capacity, and remediation mechanisms of P. canescens in heavy metal-polluted soils, including tailings soil, pond mud, and sandy soil. The results demonstrated that P. canescens exhibited substantial tolerance to multiple heavy metals, primarily by stabilizing pollutants through its root system, making it an effective metal-tolerant plant. After 68 days of remediation, the concentrations of Pb, Cd, As, Cr, and Hg in pond mud and sandy soil were significantly reduced, with removal efficiencies ranging from 8.2% to 19.8%, 33.3% to 34.1%, 16.0% to 25.0%, 20.2% to 32.9%, and 26.0% to 31.0%, respectively. In contrast, the remediation efficiencies for Pb (1.1%), Cd (5.0%), and As (8.2%) in tailings soil were relatively low, with no significant removal effect for Cr and Hg. Notably, P. canescens exhibited the highest heavy metal accumulation capacity in sandy soil, reflecting its adaptability to diverse environmental conditions. Additionally, the analysis of microbial communities revealed a significant enrichment of the rhizosphere microbe Sphingomonas, indicating that the synergistic interaction between P. canescens and soil microbiota could enhance remediation efficiency. These findings provide new insights into the interactions among plant, microorganisms, and soil in ecosystems under heavy metal stress, as well as a promising plant-based solution for the sustainable management and ecological restoration of contaminated soils. |
