Synergistic Effects of EDTA and Biochar on Phytoextraction of Lead by the native annual sunflower, Helianthus annuus

Faculty Mentor

Carmen Nezat PhD

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Start Date

5-7-2024 9:55 AM

End Date

5-7-2024 10:15 AM

Location

PAT 328

Primary Discipline of Presentation

Biology

Abstract

Lead is persistent and accumulates, remaining trapped in surface soils for centuries. Legacy sources of lead include lead-based paint, combustion of leaded gasoline, and in the manufacturing of batteries. Unfortunately, there is no safe lead level for humans as lead damages the brain and nervous system. However, some plants can remove these pollutants from the soil in a process called phytoextraction. Hyperaccumulators, such as the native annual sunflower (Helianthus annuus), are plants capable of taking up a large concentration of heavy metals from contaminated environments. While promising, hyperaccumulators cannot effectively mitigate the vast concentration of pollution humans have introduced to soils. Biochar and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) are compounds that can facilitate the phytoextraction process. Biochar can prevent the leaching of lead in soils; EDTA increases the availability of lead. In this study, we aim to test the hypothesis that combining biochar and EDTA will synergistically enhance lead uptake in H. annuus compared to individually applied treatments of biochar and EDTA alone. Helianthus annuus plants will be grown hydroponically. Treatments include control groups without lead, biochar, and EDTA, groups with each treatment alone as well as all possible combination of these treatments at low and high lead levels. Plant biomass will be measured for lead concentration using inductively coupled optical emission spectroscopy (ICPOES). Data will be analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to detect significant differences in the lead levels between treatments. Our results may allow treatments to be tested in a field application to help ameliorate lead contamination in soils.

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May 7th, 9:55 AM May 7th, 10:15 AM

Synergistic Effects of EDTA and Biochar on Phytoextraction of Lead by the native annual sunflower, Helianthus annuus

PAT 328

Lead is persistent and accumulates, remaining trapped in surface soils for centuries. Legacy sources of lead include lead-based paint, combustion of leaded gasoline, and in the manufacturing of batteries. Unfortunately, there is no safe lead level for humans as lead damages the brain and nervous system. However, some plants can remove these pollutants from the soil in a process called phytoextraction. Hyperaccumulators, such as the native annual sunflower (Helianthus annuus), are plants capable of taking up a large concentration of heavy metals from contaminated environments. While promising, hyperaccumulators cannot effectively mitigate the vast concentration of pollution humans have introduced to soils. Biochar and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) are compounds that can facilitate the phytoextraction process. Biochar can prevent the leaching of lead in soils; EDTA increases the availability of lead. In this study, we aim to test the hypothesis that combining biochar and EDTA will synergistically enhance lead uptake in H. annuus compared to individually applied treatments of biochar and EDTA alone. Helianthus annuus plants will be grown hydroponically. Treatments include control groups without lead, biochar, and EDTA, groups with each treatment alone as well as all possible combination of these treatments at low and high lead levels. Plant biomass will be measured for lead concentration using inductively coupled optical emission spectroscopy (ICPOES). Data will be analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to detect significant differences in the lead levels between treatments. Our results may allow treatments to be tested in a field application to help ameliorate lead contamination in soils.