The efficiency of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) in remediating sites

Conclusions

It was demonstrated that hemp accumulates copper, chromium, nickel, and zinc preferentially in the leaves, while lead is distributed mainly in the stems of the plant. Such selective compartmentalization is enhanced when the plant is irrigated with water containing spirulina. It was found that, at higher concentrations, spirulina acts as a growth promoter, contributing to an increase in the final generated biomass. Also, it was demonstrated that the treatment with spirulina during the cultivation of the hemp induced an enhancement in the uptake of heavy metals, except for lead. Such a result may be explained by assuming a strong affinity of spirulina towards the lead, resulting in confinement of this metal inside the soil and hampering its uptake by the plant. The NMR analysis allowed to identify the crucial variations of the metabolic composition that were induced by the treatment with spirulina. Results reported in this work pave the way to further studies aimed to understand the optimal dose of spirulina to enhance the efficiency of this innovative combined remediation bio-system. Furthermore, the results described may encourage the application of spectroscopic methods for the rapid detection of structural changes in the various environmental spheres, allowing prompt intervention through the adoption of remediation schemes

A B S T R A C T 

The efficiency of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) in remediating sites contaminated with heavy metals has received

great attention in recent years. The main advantage of this technology relies on its inherent sustainability with a

potential re-utilization of the significant amount of produced biomass which acts as a valuable flow resource. In

this study, a combined system consisting of Cannabis sativa L. (hemp) and the blue-green alga Arthrospira platensis

(spirulina) was tested to clean up soils contaminated with cadmium, chromium, copper, nickel, lead, and zinc.

The application of non-targeted NMR methods combined with ICP-AES quantification provided an efficient

strategy for detecting residual heavy metals within plant tissues and soil. Importantly, non-targeted metabolomic

analysis helped to reveal the relationships between metabolites distribution in hemp tissues and the sequestered

metals. It was demonstrated that hemp accumulates copper, chromium, nickel, and zinc preferentially in the

leaves, while lead is distributed mainly in the stems of the plant. Moreover, it was found that, at higher con-

centrations, spirulina acts as a growth promoter, contributing to an increase in the final generated biomass.

Results reported in this work indicate that the hemp/spirulina system represents a suitable tool for remediation

of metal contaminated soils by modulating biomass production and metals uptake.

1. Introduction

Dispersion of heavy metals in soils is an age-old problem deriving

from both natural and anthropic sources (Awa and Hadibarata, 2020).

Among the anthropic contribution to soil contamination by metals, land

application of treated wastewater, sewage sludge, fertilizers, and in-

dustrial activities are major concerns (Vareda et al., 2019). Unbalanced

amounts of heavy metals may cause perturbation of soil parameters with

consequent toxic effects on plants, in the nearby water supplies, and,

ultimately, in the whole food chain (Arora et al., 2008; Kumar et al.,

2019; Manzoor et al., 2018). Typically, elements, such as copper (Cu),

nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), and chromium (Cr) are biologically essential for

plant growth but become toxic for animals and plants when their con-

centrations exceed certain threshold levels (Edelstein and Ben-Hur,

2018; Rizvi et al., 2020; Tiwari and Lata, 2018). Other heavy metals

often found in contaminated soils, such as cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb)

are not essential for plants growth, and many studies associated their

presence with neurological and endocrinological toxicity for humans

along with carcinogenic effects (Ali and Khan, 2019; Pratush et al.,

2018; Rehman et al., 2018).

Since heavy metals are not biodegradable, they tend to accumulate in

the environment becoming a high risk for biota over several years after

their introduction in an ecosystem (Olsson et al., 1998; Tchounwou

et al., 2012; Zwolak et al., 2019). The search for new solutions that can

remediate heavy metals-contaminated soil is a critical prerequisite for

the sustainable development of agriculture (Edelstein and Ben-Hur,

2018; ; Vardhan et al., 2019; Wuana and Okieimen, 2011), thus repre-

senting a topic of paramount importance. The most consolidated stra-

tegies to remediate heavy-metals contaminated soils include physical

and chemical approaches, like isolation, through capping and subsurface

* Corresponding authors at: Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building Engineering and Chemistry (DICATECh), Polytechnic University of Bari, Via

Orabona, 4, Bari 70125, Italy.

E-mail addresses: biagia.musio@poliba.it (B. Musio), vito.gallo@poliba.it (V. Gallo).

Contents lists available at ScienceDirect

Environmental Advances

journal homepage: www.sciencedirect.com/journal/environmental-advances

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envadv.2021.100144

Received 4 October 2021; Received in revised form 17 November 2021; Accepted 19 November 2021

A B S T R A C T

The efficiency of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) in remediating sites contaminated with heavy metals has received

great attention in recent years. The main advantage of this technology relies on its inherent sustainability with a

potential re-utilization of the significant amount of produced biomass which acts as a valuable flow resource. In

this study, a combined system consisting of Cannabis sativa L. (hemp) and the blue-green alga Arthrospira platensis

(spirulina) was tested to clean up soils contaminated with cadmium, chromium, copper, nickel, lead, and zinc.

The application of non-targeted NMR methods combined with ICP-AES quantification provided an efficient

strategy for detecting residual heavy metals within plant tissues and soil. Importantly, non-targeted metabolomic

analysis helped to reveal the relationships between metabolites distribution in hemp tissues and the sequestered

metals. It was demonstrated that hemp accumulates copper, chromium, nickel, and zinc preferentially in the

leaves, while lead is distributed mainly in the stems of the plant. Moreover, it was found that, at higher con-

centrations, spirulina acts as a growth promoter, contributing to an increase in the final generated biomass.

Results reported in this work indicate that the hemp/spirulina system represents a suitable tool for remediation

of metal contaminated soils by modulating biomass production and metals uptake.

1. Introduction

Dispersion of heavy metals in soils is an age-old problem deriving

from both natural and anthropic sources (Awa and Hadibarata, 2020).

Among the anthropic contribution to soil contamination by metals, land

application of treated wastewater, sewage sludge, fertilizers, and in-

dustrial activities are major concerns (Vareda et al., 2019). Unbalanced

amounts of heavy metals may cause perturbation of soil parameters with

consequent toxic effects on plants, in the nearby water supplies, and,

ultimately, in the whole food chain (Arora et al., 2008; Kumar et al.,

2019; Manzoor et al., 2018). Typically, elements, such as copper (Cu),

nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), and chromium (Cr) are biologically essential for

plant growth but become toxic for animals and plants when their con-

centrations exceed certain threshold levels (Edelstein and Ben-Hur,

2018; Rizvi et al., 2020; Tiwari and Lata, 2018). Other heavy metals

often found in contaminated soils, such as cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb)

are not essential for plants growth, and many studies associated their

presence with neurological and endocrinological toxicity for humans

along with carcinogenic effects (Ali and Khan, 2019; Pratush et al.,

2018; Rehman et al., 2018).

Since heavy metals are not biodegradable, they tend to accumulate in

the environment becoming a high risk for biota over several years after

their introduction in an ecosystem (Olsson et al., 1998; Tchounwou

et al., 2012; Zwolak et al., 2019). The search for new solutions that can

remediate heavy metals-contaminated soil is a critical prerequisite for

the sustainable development of agriculture (Edelstein and Ben-Hur,

2018; ; Vardhan et al., 2019; Wuana and Okieimen, 2011), thus repre-

senting a topic of paramount importance. The most consolidated stra-

tegies to remediate heavy-metals contaminated soils include physical

and chemical approaches, like isolation, through capping and subsurface

* Corresponding authors at: Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building Engineering and Chemistry (DICATECh), Polytechnic University of Bari, Via

Orabona, 4, Bari 70125, Italy.

E-mail addresses: biagia.musio@poliba.it (B. Musio), vito.gallo@poliba.it (V. Gallo).

Contents lists available at ScienceDirect

Environmental Advances

journal homepage: www.sciencedirect.com/journal/environmental-advances

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envadv.2021.100144

Received 4 October 2021; Received in revised form 17 November 2021; Accepted 19 November 2021

Electricity Production by Geobacter sulfurreducens Attachedto Electrodes

ElectroHemp Pollution Disposal Energy Fuel Cell

here is the science behind the Electrohemp Pollution Disposal Energy Fuel Cell:

Electricity Production by

 Geobacter sulfurreducens

 Attachedto Electrodes

Daniel R. Bond and Derek R. Lovley*

 Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003

Received 29 August 2002/Accepted 10 December 2002 my link

yet another natural remedy

here is yet another example: nature has a cure for what ails mankind! thank you for sharing.

— systembuster (@stlsystembuster) November 24, 2022

"... other proteins also worked, so it may be possible to utilize those as to not strain the {egg} market as much. An even bigger concern is water purification [removes salt] ... " https://t.co/CULB5BwJz9

— systembuster (@stlsystembuster) November 24, 2022

So if plants remove toxins its called Phytoremediation.

What will be the term invented for when Eggs or Proteins remove toxins? - egremediation or proremediation 

So if plants remove toxins its called #Phytoremediation.

What will be the term #invented for when Eggs or Proteins remove toxins? #Poll

— systembuster (@stlsystembuster) November 24, 2022

Small Modular Nuclear Reactors and Likely Human Health Effects

The "new", smaller reactors now being pushed by the nuclear industry are not new. Some, like the lightwater reactor highlighted in this presentation, exist in larger form today and have a track record of pollution and health impacts, particularly for pregnancy, children and indigenous populations. 

Building more of these reactor types will create more long-lasting problems for human health and the environment while failing to address the climate crisis. A presentation by Cindy Folkers, radiation and health specialist, Beyond Nuclear.

Westlake Landfill update

The Pollution Solution

This is an interview I did a few years ago about a natural way to remove pollution from Soil and Water. I would have never imagined it would be so difficult and have so many hoops to jump thru to work with the EPA to clean up this toxic dump in my backyard leftover from the Manhattan Project. This system will work for any toxins and contaminants in soil and water. Different plants will absorb different pollutants. Its not Rocket Science its Phyto Science.

I have figured out additional details to make this system better and work faster since this interview. Feel free to contact me for additional info or leave comments below. Currently in discussion with someone in California that has a abandoned oil field that is still leaking oil and has created a unuseable area,. with a goal of starting a clean up project in 2023, where we will turn pollution into cash to offset the cost of the remediation project.