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Removal of 4-chlorobenzoic acid from spiked hydroponic solution by willow trees (Salix viminalis)

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Abstract

Background

Chlorobenzoic acids (CBA) are intermediate products of the aerobic microbial degradation of PCB and several pesticides. This study explores the feasibility of using basket willows, Salix viminalis, to remove 4-CBA from polluted sites, which also might stimulate PCB degradation.

Methods

The removal of 4-CBA by willow trees was investigated with intact, septic willow trees growing in hydroponic solution and with sterile cell suspensions at concentrations of 5 mg/L and 50 mg/L 4-CBA. Nutrient solutions with different levels of ammonium and nitrate were prepared to achieve different pH levels. The concentration of 4-CBA was tracked over time and quantified by HPLC.

Results and discussion

At the low level of 4-CBA (5 mg/L), willows removed 70% (pH 4.2) to 90% (pH 6.8), while 48% (pH 4.2) to 52% (pH 6.8) of the water was transpired. At the high 4-CBA level (50 mg/L), the pH varied between 4.4 and 4.6, and 10% to 30% of 4-CBA was removed, but only 5% to 9% of the water. In sterile cell suspensions, removal of 4-CBA by fresh biomass was much higher than removal by dead biomass.

Conclusions

The results indicate that 4-CBA is toxic to willow trees at 50 mg/L. The removal of 4-CBA from solution is by both passive processes (uptake with water, sorption to plant tissue) and metabolic processes of the plants.

Recommendations and outlook

Plants, such as willow trees, might assist in the degradation of PCB and their degradation products CBA.

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Acknowledgements

The study received financial support from the European Union 7th Framework Program of Research, project No. 245226 MAGIC PAH. Support for this research was provided by the European Union, Erasmus/Socrates program for KMs stay in Denmark and by the Grant Agency of Czech Republic project No. 203/06/0563.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Miljoevej Building 113, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark

    Kamila Deavers & Stefan Trapp

  2. Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Flemingovo n. 2, Praha 6, Prague, Czech Republic

    Kamila Deavers & Tomas Macek

  3. Department of Environmental Chemistry and Microbiology, National Environmental Research Institute, University of Aarhus, PO Box 358, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark

    Ulrich G. Karlson

Authors
  1. Kamila Deavers
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  2. Tomas Macek
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  3. Ulrich G. Karlson
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  4. Stefan Trapp
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stefan Trapp.

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Responsible editor: Elena Maestri

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Deavers, K., Macek, T., Karlson, U.G. et al. Removal of 4-chlorobenzoic acid from spiked hydroponic solution by willow trees (Salix viminalis). Environ Sci Pollut Res 17, 1355–1361 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-010-0321-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-010-0321-3

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