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Updated: May 28, 2026
06:29
A Method to Preserve Wetland Roots and Rhizospheres for Elemental Imaging
Published on: February 15, 2021
Phyto (in)stabilization of elements.
Donna L Jacob1, Marinus L Otte, David G Hopkins
1Wet Ecosystem Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58108-6050, USA. donna.jacob@ndsu.edu
International Journal of Phytoremediation
|November 4, 2011
Summary
Plants significantly alter the mobility of soil elements, mobilizing some like Thorium (Th) and immobilizing others like Uranium (U). Plant species and fertilizer application influenced these element mobility effects.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Soil Science
- Geochemistry
Background:
- Understanding element mobility in soils is crucial for environmental risk assessment.
- Plant uptake and fertilizer application are known factors influencing soil element behavior.
- Previous studies suggest varying plant-soil interactions for different elements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of different plant species (corn, soybean, sunflower) and fertilizer on the mobility of over 60 elements in soil.
- To determine if water-extractable fractions accurately predict element mobility.
- To assess plant species-specific effects on element mobilization and immobilization.
Main Methods:
- Greenhouse experiment using soil columns with and without plants and fertilizer.
- Simulated rainstorm event to collect leachate for element analysis.
- Analysis of water-extractable fractions in soil from the root zone.
- Quantification of over 60 elements in leachate and soil samples.
Main Results:
- Plants significantly altered the mobility of various elements, mobilizing some (e.g., Thorium) and immobilizing others (e.g., Uranium).
- The observed effects on element mobility were dependent on the plant species.
- Water-extractable fractions of elements in soil did not reliably predict their mobility in leachate.
Conclusions:
- Plant species play a significant role in modulating the mobility of a wide range of elements in soil.
- The assumption that water-extractable fractions predict element mobility is not supported by these findings.
- Element mobility is complex and influenced by plant-soil-fertilizer interactions, varying by element and plant type.
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