Role of feather reed grass (Calamagrostis acutiflora) in phytoremediation of urban soils

Samples of soil and aerial mass of Calamagrostis acutiflora were obtained from an urban area adjacent to a street. The sampled material was analyzed to determine the content of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr and Co, in addition to which soil was analyzed for the content of total organic carbon (TOC), salinity (EC) and reaction (pH). Based on the results, the enrichment factor (EF) and biological accumulation coefficient (BAC) of heavy metals as well as correlations between the analyzed characteristics were calculated. The content of heavy metals in the soil did not exceed the standards set for transportation areas, but the EF value implicated anthropogenic enrichment of soils with Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd and Co. Numerous, highly significant and positive correlations were obtained between the content of the elements in the soil, plants and in the soil-plant system, which suggests their relatively high bioavailability. The BAC values achieved for Co, Cr, Cu, Cd and Ni indicate that Calamagrostis acutiflora can be a useful species for phytoextraction of these elements from urban soils. Moreover, Calamagrostis acutiflora is a good choice for planting in urban areas due to its good adaptability, long growing season and tall conformation. NOVELTY STATEMENT This study enabled us to the determine the usefulness of Calamagrostis acutiflora for phytoextraction of heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr and Co) from urban soils exposed to transportation pressure. This aspect of the said grass species has not been evaluated previously; meanwhile, owing to its high esthetic value, the grass can be an interesting choice in the landscaping of urban areas. The evaluation was based on determinations of the elements in the soil and in aerial biomass of Calamagrostis acutiflora sampled from an urban area adjacent to a busy street. The phytoremediation potential of Calamagrostis acutiflora was assessed according to the calculated biological accumulation coefficient (BAC). Furthermore, the enrichment factor (EF) for the heavy metals in the soil was determined, which enabled us to identify the extent of anthropogenic pressure in this area. Other determinations included basic soil physicochemical properties (TOC, pH, EC), which in practice will facilitate a choice of sites to be planted with Calamagrostis acutiflora in the future.