Nano-SiO2 combined with a surfactant enhanced phenanthrene phytoremediation by Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers

• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-08552-3
• Publication Date: 2020-04-03T22:02:30Z
• Authors: Runzhang Zuo; Huigang Liu; Ying Xi; Yan Gu; Dong Ren; Xi Yuan; Yingping Huang
• Keywords: Erigeron; Soil; Surface-Active Agents; Biodegradation, Environmental; Soil Pollutants; Phenanthrenes; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; Silicon Dioxide; 01 natural sciences; 6. Clean water; 0105 earth and related environmental sciences

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of Triton X-100 (1000 mg kg-1) and nano-SiO2 (500 mg kg-1) on Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers. grown in phenanthrene spiked soil (150 mg kg-1) for 60 days. Results show that untreated groups, groups treated with both Triton X-100 and nano-SiO2, exhibited better phenanthrene degradation rates and improved root biomasses, chlorophyll contents, and soil enzyme activities. This study demonstrates that Triton X-100 combined with nano-SiO2 protects plants, alleviating the stress of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and can provide a means for improving phytoremediation of PAH contaminated soils.