The master plan for the soil clean-up of the formerly zinc smelter “Pertusola Sud” (Crotone, Italy) considered gentle remediation options for a specific area where in the past were disposed both by-products and industrial wastes. Although the soil is severely contaminated by metals (Cd, Cu, Ge, Hg, In, Pb, Tl and Zn) and metalloids (As and Sb), in this area several plant species grow spontaneously. Plants and rhizosphere soil samples were collected and analysed for trace element concentrations. The potential of phytoremediation of plants was evaluated considering the concentration of metals and metalloids in the plant tissues and also the bioconcentration factor (BF) and the translocation factor (TF).
The plant requirements for Sb phytoextraction were verified for Phragmites communis (1.66 BF, TF 9:02), while Eucalyptus camaldulensis (BF 1.11, TF 1.71) and Galactites tomentosa (BF 2.30, TF 1.37) were considered for Tl. Potential phytostabilizers species, with high BF and low TF values were: Acacia saligna for Sb (BF 1.49, TF 0.46), Phragmites communis (BF 1.85, TF 0.55) and Silene bellidifolia (BF 1.20, TF 0.71) for Tl. The performances of Dittrichia viscosa were assessed, as well. Although less effective than the previous species, the pioneer species Piptatherum miliaceum and Holoschoenus australis could be useful to restore a green coverage on multi-element polluted soil.
