Abstract

Phytoremediation is becoming a cost-effective technology for the in-situ clean up of sites polluted with Hydrophobic Organic Contaminants (HOCs). The major factors limiting phytoremediation are the mass transfer, rate of plant uptake and microbial biodegradation of HOCs. To evaluate the potential of surfactants to enhance phytoremediation for HOC-contaminated sites, the efficacy of Sudan grass (Sorghum sudanense), at the absence or presence of polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate (Tween 80), on the degradation of pyrene in soils were investigated and mechanisms of Surfactant-Enhanced Phytoremediation (SEPR) were discussed. Results showed that the presence of Tween 80 enhanced dissipation of pyrene at initial contents ranging from 20.24 to 321.42 mg/kg. During the 70-d SEPR-experiments, about 801.84~539.99‰ of pyrene was removed from planted soils, only 242.28~122.79 ‰ degradation of pyrene occurred in unplanted ones. With the presence of Tween 80, the dissipation ratios of pyrene in planted ones were increased up to 863.94~609.63 ‰, which was 77.27~129.14 ‰ higher than those in corresponding soils without surfactant. Among all possible pathways, contribution of plant-microbial interactions on dissipation of pyrene was the most significant, either at the presence (456.73 ‰) or absence (515.58‰) of Tween 80, were the primary means of contaminant degradation. Results suggested SEPR may be a feasible way for reinforcing removal of HOCs in contaminated sites.

Keywords:

Hydrophobic organic contaminants, phytoremediation, pyrene, surfactants, SEPR, Tween 80,

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Competing interests

The authors have no competing interests.

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