SOIL CONTAMINATION Applicability of Energy Crops for Metal Phytostabilization on Lands Moderately Contaminated with Copper, Nickel and Zinc J. Korzeniowska, E. Stanisławska-Glubiak, J. Igras Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation - National Research Institute in Pulawy, Poland Department of Weed Science and Tillage Systems in Wroclaw, ul. Orzechowa 61, 50-540 Wroclaw, Poland,
[email protected] Abstract A microplot experiment was conducted, using willow, reed canary grass and energy maize. Simulated soil contamination with Zn, Cu and Ni was used in the following combi- nations: control - no metals, Cu -50, Cu -100, Cu -200, Ni -40, Ni -80, Ni -160, Zn - -1 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 200, Zn 2-400, Zn 3-800 mg kg Willow was the most tolerant to Cu, Ni and Zn soil con- tamination and therefore can be used as a reclamation plant for moderately polluted land. Maize showed the most sensitivity to Ni, and reed canary grass to Zn excess in soil. Thus these species are not suitable for areas polluted with those metals respectively. The analysis of metal content in plant tissue reveled that Cu and Ni were accumulated in roots rather than in shoots. Zinc was accumulated in shoots in higher amount than Cu or Ni, especial- ly in willow. Key words: contamination, copper, nickel, zinc, energy plants, tolerance Introduction stems can be an obstacle to biomass combus- Recent years show increasing rate of tion for energy generation. interest in advantages of soil remediation with It is a beneficial solution to use energy plants (phytoremediation) as opposed to con- crops for phytostabilization.