Soil phytoremediation from the breakdown products of the chemical warfare agent, yperite

Citation
Ea. Zakharova et al., Soil phytoremediation from the breakdown products of the chemical warfare agent, yperite, ENV SCI P R, 7(4), 2000, pp. 191-194
Citations number
11
Categorie Soggetti
Environment/Ecology
Journal title
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
ISSN journal
09441344 → ACNP
Volume
7
Issue
4
Year of publication
2000
Pages
191 - 194
Database
ISI
SICI code
0944-1344(2000)7:4<191:SPFTBP>2.0.ZU;2-C
Abstract
A plant-based bioremediation (phytoremediation) strategy has been developed and shown to be effective for the clean-up of soil contaminated by the bre akdown products of the chemical warfare agent (CWA), yperite. The method in volves exploiting the plant growth hormone, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), to intensify the phytoremediation. For determination of the yperite breakdown products, gas chromatography is used. Soil and plant samples were analysed with a gas chromatograph fitted with a n atomic emission detector. The method of standard-free determination was e mployed to identify sulphur-containing substances (SCSs). A series of soil tests was conducted, which showed that the level of SCSs decreased 4, 8, an d more than 20-fold compared with that found in contaminated soil. This dec rease was dependent upon the IAA concentrations used for plant treatment. T he treated plants accumulated 2.7 to 2.9-fold larger amounts of the SCSs th an did the untreated plants. Owing to its simplicity, environmental safety and inexpensiveness, the method can be recommended for the restoration of s oil fertility in areas of storage and destruction of blister CWAs.