Development of a plant uptake model for cyanide

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Plant Physiology
• Bioremediation

Background:

• Cyanide contamination poses environmental risks.
• Phytoremediation using plants like willow shows potential for cyanide removal.
• Quantitative understanding of plant-cyanide interactions is needed for effective application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a quantitative model for cyanide species uptake by willow (Salix eriocephala L. var. Michaux).
• To gain insight into the relative roles of different processes in cyanide transport and assimilation.
• To determine the rates of these processes within willow plants under experimental conditions.

Main Methods:

• Development of a physiologically-based model for cyanide uptake, transport, and metabolism.
• Compartmentalization of the model into root, stem, and leaf to match experimental data.
• Use of kinetic representations for mass transfer processes and mass balances for each compartment.

Main Results:

• The model quantitatively interprets data from hydroponic experiments on cyanide uptake by willow.
• It provides insights into the relative importance of various processes influencing cyanide movement.
• It helps determine the rates of cyanide transport and metabolism within the plant.

Conclusions:

• The developed model aids in understanding plant processes contributing to cyanide transport and metabolism.
• It can guide the design and optimization of field-scale phytoremediation.
• This modeling approach is valuable for targeting specific physiological parameters for effective bioremediation.