Endophytes and their Potential to Deal with Co-contamination of Organic Contaminants (Toluene) and Toxic Metals (Nickel) during Phytoremediation

Journal Article · Sat Jan 15 04:00:00 EST 2011 · International Journal of Phytoremediation

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/15226511003753920· OSTI ID:1018671

Weyens, N; van der Lelie, D; Truyens, S; Saenen, E; Boulet, J; Dupae, J; Taghavi, S; Carleer, R; Vangronsveld, J

The aim was to investigate if engineered endophytes that are capable of degrading organic contaminants, and deal with or ideally improve uptake and translocation of toxic metals, can improve phytoremediation of mixed organic-metal pollution. As a model system, yellow lupine was inoculated with the endophyte Burkholderia cepacia VM1468 possessing (a) the pTOM-Bu61 plasmid, coding for constitutive toluene/TCE degradation, and (b) the chromosomally inserted ncc-nre Ni resistance/sequestration system. As controls, plants were inoculated with B. vietnamiensis BU61 (pTOM-Bu61) and B. cepacia BU72 (containing the ncc-nre Ni resistance/sequestration system). Plants were exposed to mixes of toluene and Ni. Only inoculation with B. cepacia VM1468 resulted in decreased Ni and toluene phytotoxicity, as measured by a protective effect on plant growth and decreased activities of enzymes involved in antioxidative defence (catalase, guaiacol peroxidase, superoxide dismutase) in the roots. Besides, plants inoculated with B. cepacia VM1468 and B. vietnamiensis BU61 released less toluene through the leaves than non-inoculated plants and those inoculated with B. cepacia BU72. Ni-uptake in roots was slightly increased for B. cepacia BU72 inoculated plants. These results indicate that engineered endophytes have the potential to assist their host plant to deal with co-contamination of toxic metals and organic contaminants during phytoremediation.

• Research Organization: BROOKHAVEN NATIONAL LABORATORY (BNL)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE - OFFICE OF SCIENCE
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-98CH10886
• OSTI ID: 1018671
• Report Number(s): BNL--95092-2011-JA; KP1102010
• Journal Information: International Journal of Phytoremediation, Journal Name: International Journal of Phytoremediation Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 13; ISSN 1522-6514
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
CATALASE
ENZYMES
INOCULATION
NICKEL
Ni
PLANT GROWTH
POLLUTION
SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE
TOLUENE
TRANSLOCATION
co-contamination
endophytes
organic contaminants
toluene
toxic metals