Selection of plant genotypes from Kazakhstan Flora contributing to alleviation of heavy metal hazard to health and ecosystem in Kazakhstan
Abstract
The overall objective of this project is to identify and select plant species and genotypes with either high or low heavy metal accumulation capacity to improve human and animal health via reduction of heavy metal transfer into the food chain or phytoextraction of metal-polluted soils. The specific research objectives are: 1. To select the most suitable species for phytoextraction of Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn from polluted soils (hyperaccumulators) and species with low accumulation capacity for use as cattle forage under the climatic conditions in Kazakhstan. 2. To demonstrate that the method of phytoremediation of contaminated soils can be efficient, cost-effective and suitable for upscaling under the prevailing edaphic and climatic conditions in Kazakhstan. 3. To enhance our understanding of the mechanisms of uptake, transport and accumulation of Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn in the species selected. The working program comprises broad-scale screening for accumulator and non-accumulator plants among the native flora growing on metallioferous soils in Kazakhstan and analysis of grass species for their heavy metals concentrations in shoots and roots. Soil samples will be taken from the same area and also will be analysed on heavy metal content. Grass species with high and low content of heavy metals will be selected for experiments under controlled conditions. Seedlings of grass species of the family Gramineae, will be grown under controlled conditions in hydroponic solutions with different concentrations of heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Cd, Cu). Based on this screening, selected species will be planted on soils artificially contaminated by Pb, Cu, Cd, Zn in order to assess the impact of these metals on growth and production of roots and shoots biomass. Metal-tolerant species and genotypes with the ability to either exclude or (hyper)accumulate heavy metals in their shoots will be individuated and evaluated for their potential use in the production of forage and phytoremediation respectively.. The proposed research work is deemed to contribute substantially to the development of novel technologies for the phytoextraction of heavy metals from soils. The climatic and edaphic conditions in Kazakhstan are representative of other countries in the general region where metal-contaminated soils are a serious threat to human and environmental health. Phytoremediation technologies provide an inexpensive alternative to traditional engineering techniques to clean up metal-contaminated soils and minimise potential impacts on human health at heavily polluted sites. The proposed research will result in field demonstration of phytoextraction in Kazakhstan and initiate technology transfer. The utilisation of native plant species will provide the opportunity for local businesses to develop. The economic potential of phytoextraction is apparent for many countries in the region where extensive areas of heavy-metal contaminated soils from anthropogenic activities require effective and inexpensive treatment. Recycling of heavy metals for standard metal markets, and burning of the biomass to recover the energy and ash will be additional incentives for local farmers. On the other hand, the individuation of forage grass species and genotypes with low capacity for metal accumulation in shoots will support cleaner food production at moderately-polluted sites.
keywords hyperaccumulation heavy metals phytoremediation Kazakhstan soil contamination
Publikationen
Project staff
Walter Wenzel
Univ.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.nat.techn. Walter Wenzel
walter.wenzel@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-91143, 91161
Project Leader
01.12.2001 - 31.07.2005
Markus Puschenreiter
Priv.-Doz. Dr. Markus Puschenreiter
markus.puschenreiter@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-91143, 91163
Project Staff
01.12.2001 - 31.07.2005
BOKU partners
External partners
Institute of Plant Physiolology, Genetics and Bioengineering, Laboratory of Root Nutrition
none
partner
Institute of Biology, Karelian Research Centre of Russian Academy of Sciences, Laboratory of Plants Stress Physiology
none
partner
Soil Science Institute, Laboratory of Ecosystem Investigations
none
partner
University of Wales, Bangor, School of Agricultural and Forest Sciences
Dr David Jones
partner