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Rhizoreduction of arsenate and chromate in Australian native grass, shrub and tree vegetation

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Abstract

Background and aims

Rhizosphere influences the dynamics of nutrients and contaminants through increased microbial activity, release of root exudates and alteration of pH. The objective of this study was to evaluate the rhizosphere-induced reduction (i.e. rhizoreduction) and redistribution of arsenate [As(V)] and chromate [Cr(VI)] in Australian native vegetation in relation to their bioavailability.

Methods

The reduction of As(V) and Cr(VI) was examined using rhizosphere soils from a number of Australian native vegetation (Acacia pubescens, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Enchylaena tomentosa, Templetonia retusa, Dichantheum sericeum and Austrodanthonia richardsonii). Naturally contaminated As and Cr soils were used to examine the effect of Dichantheum sericeum on the redistribution and bioavailability of these metal(loid)s.

Results

The rhizosphere soil contained higher levels of microbial activity, dissolved organic carbon and organic acid content than the non-rhizosphere soil. The rhizosphere soil caused up to 2.4 and 5.1 fold increases in the rate of reduction of As(V) and Cr(VI), respectively. There was a significant relationship between rhizosphere-induced increases in microbial activity (Δ basal respiration) and As(V) and Cr(VI) reduction (Δ rate of reduction), indicating the role of increased microbial activity in rhizosphere soil on metal(loid) reduction. In the plant growth experiment, Dichantheum sericeum enhanced the reduction of metal(loid)s in the naturally contaminated soils, thereby increasing the bioavailability of As but decreasing that of Cr.

Conclusions

Depending on the nature of metal(loid)s present in soil, the rhizosphere-induced reduction by plant species such as Dichantheum sericeum and Templetonia retusa has implications to both their bioavailability to higher plants and microorganisms, and remediation of contaminated soils. While rhizoreduction decreases Cr bioavailability it increases that of As.

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Acknowledgments

The 2012 Postdoctoral fellowship program (PJ007448) at National Academy of Agricultural Science, Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea, supported Dr Kunhikrishnan’s contribution.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Environmental Risk Assessment and Remediation, University of South Australia, Building X, University Boulevard, Mawson Lakes, SA, 5095, Australia

    Nanthi Bolan & Anitha Kunhikrishnan

  2. CRC for Contamination Assessment and Remediation in the Environment, University of South Mawson Lakes, Mawson Lakes, SA, Australia

    Nanthi Bolan

  3. Chemical Safety Division, Department of Agro-Food Safety, National Academy of Agricultural Science, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 441-707, Republic of Korea

    Anitha Kunhikrishnan

  4. School of Natural and Built Environments, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA, Australia

    Joan Gibbs

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  1. Nanthi Bolan
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  2. Anitha Kunhikrishnan
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  3. Joan Gibbs
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Correspondence to Nanthi Bolan.

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Responsible Editor: H. Schat.

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Bolan, N., Kunhikrishnan, A. & Gibbs, J. Rhizoreduction of arsenate and chromate in Australian native grass, shrub and tree vegetation. Plant Soil 367, 615–625 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-012-1506-y

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