skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Phytoremediation of uranium-contaminated soils: Role of organic acids in triggering uranium hyperaccumulation in plants

Abstract

Uranium phytoextraction, the use of plants to extract U from contaminated soils, is an emerging technology. The authors report on the development of this technology for the cleanup of U-contaminated soils. In this research, they investigated the effects of various soil amendments on U desorption from soil to soil solution, studied the physiological characteristics of U uptake and accumulation in plants, and developed techniques to trigger U hyperaccumulation in plants. A key to the success of U phytoextraction is to increase soil U availability to plants. The authors have found that some organic acids can be added to soils to increase U desorption from soil to soil solution and to trigger a rapid U accumulation in plants. Of the organic acids (acetic acid, citric acid, and malic acid) tested, citric acid was the most effective in enhancing U accumulation in plants. Shoot U concentrations of Brassica juncea and Brassica chinensis grown in a U-contaminated soil increased from less than 5 mg kg{sup {minus}1} to more than 5,000 mg kg{sup {minus}1} in citric acid-treated soils. To their knowledge, this is the highest shoot U concentration reported for plants grown on U-contaminated soils. Using this U hyperaccumulation technique, they are now ablemore » to increase U accumulation in shoots of selected plant species grown in two U-contaminated soils by more than 1,000-fold within a few days. The results suggest that U phytoextraction may provide an environmentally friendly alternative for the cleanup of U-contaminated soils.« less

Authors:
; ; ;  [1]
  1. Phytotech Inc., Monmouth Junction, NJ (United States)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
642244
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Environmental Science and Technology
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 32; Journal Issue: 13; Other Information: PBD: 1 Jul 1998
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; 05 NUCLEAR FUELS; BIODEGRADATION; REMEDIAL ACTION; SOILS; URANIUM; PLANTS; ORGANIC ACIDS; BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION

Citation Formats

Huang, J W, Blaylock, M J, Kapulnik, Y, and Ensley, B D. Phytoremediation of uranium-contaminated soils: Role of organic acids in triggering uranium hyperaccumulation in plants. United States: N. p., 1998. Web. doi:10.1021/es971027u.
Huang, J W, Blaylock, M J, Kapulnik, Y, & Ensley, B D. Phytoremediation of uranium-contaminated soils: Role of organic acids in triggering uranium hyperaccumulation in plants. United States. https://doi.org/10.1021/es971027u
Huang, J W, Blaylock, M J, Kapulnik, Y, and Ensley, B D. 1998. "Phytoremediation of uranium-contaminated soils: Role of organic acids in triggering uranium hyperaccumulation in plants". United States. https://doi.org/10.1021/es971027u.
@article{osti_642244,
title = {Phytoremediation of uranium-contaminated soils: Role of organic acids in triggering uranium hyperaccumulation in plants},
author = {Huang, J W and Blaylock, M J and Kapulnik, Y and Ensley, B D},
abstractNote = {Uranium phytoextraction, the use of plants to extract U from contaminated soils, is an emerging technology. The authors report on the development of this technology for the cleanup of U-contaminated soils. In this research, they investigated the effects of various soil amendments on U desorption from soil to soil solution, studied the physiological characteristics of U uptake and accumulation in plants, and developed techniques to trigger U hyperaccumulation in plants. A key to the success of U phytoextraction is to increase soil U availability to plants. The authors have found that some organic acids can be added to soils to increase U desorption from soil to soil solution and to trigger a rapid U accumulation in plants. Of the organic acids (acetic acid, citric acid, and malic acid) tested, citric acid was the most effective in enhancing U accumulation in plants. Shoot U concentrations of Brassica juncea and Brassica chinensis grown in a U-contaminated soil increased from less than 5 mg kg{sup {minus}1} to more than 5,000 mg kg{sup {minus}1} in citric acid-treated soils. To their knowledge, this is the highest shoot U concentration reported for plants grown on U-contaminated soils. Using this U hyperaccumulation technique, they are now able to increase U accumulation in shoots of selected plant species grown in two U-contaminated soils by more than 1,000-fold within a few days. The results suggest that U phytoextraction may provide an environmentally friendly alternative for the cleanup of U-contaminated soils.},
doi = {10.1021/es971027u},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/642244}, journal = {Environmental Science and Technology},
number = 13,
volume = 32,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1998},
month = {Wed Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1998}
}