Alkyl Polyglucoside (APG) Amendment for Improving the Phytoremediation of Pb-PAH Contaminated Soil by the Aquatic Plant Scirpus triqueter

This study assessed the potential abilities of Scirpus triqueter for phytoremediation of soils contaminated with Pb-PAHs, amended with environment-friendly surfactant alkyl polyglucoside (APG). The effects of APG on the removal of PAHs from soil and the plant uptake and translocation of Pb were tested with plant growth and soil enzymatic activities. Experiments demonstrated that APG has an ability to facilitate PAH degradation and Pb uptake in the plant body at appropriate concentrations (20-40mg L^-1). The highest PAH removal rate was observed in 30 mg L^-1 APG treatment, and the highest accumulation of Pb was detected as 40 mg L^-1 APG. Experiments documented the effects of APG on plant growth, soil enzymatic activity, bioaccumulation and translocation of Pb in Scirpus triqueter. Results indicated that the addition of appropriate APG enhanced PAH removal rate and increased plant uptake and translocation of Pb.