Journal•ISSN: 1522-6514
International Journal of Phytoremediation
Taylor & Francis
About: International Journal of Phytoremediation is an academic journal published by Taylor & Francis. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Phytoremediation & Medicine. It has an ISSN identifier of 1522-6514. Over the lifetime, 2140 publications have been published receiving 50258 citations. The journal is also known as: Int J Phytoremediation & IJP.
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TL;DR: In this article, the problem-based learning and the learning portfolio are described as two examples of aligned teaching systems, and the assessment tasks tell students what activities are required of them, and how well the objectives have been met.
Abstract: Many teachers see major difficulties in maintaining academic standards in today's larger and more diversified classes. The problem becomes more tractable if learning outcomes are seen as more a function of students' activities than of their fixed characteristics. The teacher's job is then to organise the teaching/learning context so that all students are more likely to use the higher order learning processes which “academic” students use spontaneously. This may be achieved when all components are aligned, so that objectives express the kinds of understanding that we want from students, the teaching context encourages students to undertake the learning activities likely to achieve those understandings, and the assessment tasks tell students what activities are required of them, and tell us how well the objectives have been met. Two examples of aligned teaching systems are described: problem-based learning and the learning portfolio.
628 citations
TL;DR: This study compared four species of tree (Acer campestre L., Fraxinus excelsior L., Platanus × hispanica Mill.) and one climber species (Hedera helix L.) that are commonly cultivated along streets in Poland to capture fine, coarse and larger particles from air.
Abstract: Particulate matter (PM) is an air contaminant in urban and industrial areas that often exceeds limit values, creating serious problems due to its harmful effects on health. Planting trees and shrubs as air filters is a way to improve air quality in these areas. However,further knowledge on species effectiveness in air purification is essential This study compared four species of tree (Acer campestre L, Fraxinus excelsior L, Platanus x hispanica Mill. ex Muenchh. 'Acerifolia', Tilia cordata Mill.), three species of shrub (Forsythia x intermedia Zabel, Physocarpus opulifolius (L.) Maxim., Spiraea japonica L.), and one climber species (Hedera helix L) that are commonly cultivated along streets in Poland to capture fine, coarse and larger particles from air. Separate gravimetric analyses were performed to quantify PM deposited on surfaces and trapped in waxes. Significant differences were found between the plant species tested. The distribution of different particle size fractions differed between and within species and also between leaf surfaces and in waxes.
383 citations
TL;DR: This review addresses the global problem of heavymetal pollution originating from increased industrialization and urbanization and its amelioration by using wetland plants both in a microcosm as well as natural/field condition by mentioning salient features of wetland ecosystems, their vegetation component, and the pros and cons involved in heavy metal removal.
Abstract: This review addresses the global problem of heavymetal pollution originating from increased industrialization and urbanization and its amelioration by using wetland plants both in a microcosm as well as natural/field condition. Heavymetal contamination in aquatic ecosystems due to discharge of industrial effluents may pose a serious threat to human health. Alkaline precipitation, ion exchange columns, electrochemical removal, filtration, and membrane technologies are the currently available technologies for heavy metal removal. These conventional technologies are not economical and may produce adverse impacts on aquatic ecosystems. Phytoremediation of metals is a cost-effective "green" technology based on the use of specially selected metal-accumulating plants to remove toxic metals from soils and water. Wetland plants are important tools for heavy metal removal. The Ramsar convention, one of the earlier modern global conservation treaties, was adopted at Ramsar, Iran, in 1971 and became effective in 1975. This convention emphasized the wise use of wetlands and their resources. This review mentions salient features of wetland ecosystems, their vegetation component, and the pros and cons involved in heavy metal removal. Wetland plants are preferred over other bio-agents due to their low cost, frequent abundance in aquatic ecosystems, and easy handling. The extensive rhizosphere of wetland plants provides an enriched culture zone for the microbes involved in degradation. The wetland sediment zone provides reducing conditions that are conducive to the metal removal pathway. Constructed wetlands proved to be effective for the abatement of heavymetal pollution from acid mine drainage; landfill leachate; thermal power; and municipal, agricultural, refinery, and chlor-alkali effluent. the physicochemical properties of wetlands provide many positive attributes for remediating heavy metals. Typha, Phragmites, Eichhornia, Azolla, Lemna, and other aquatic macrophytes are some of the potent wetland plants for heavy metal removal. Biomass disposal problem and seasonal growth of aquatic macrophytes are some limitations in the transfer of phytoremediation technology from the laboratory to the field. However, the disposed biomass of macrophytes may be used for various fruitful applications. An ecosustainable model has been developed through the author's various works, which may ameliorate some of the limitations. The creation of more areas for phytoremediation may also aid in wetlands conservation. Genetic engineering and biodiversity prospecting of endangered wetland plants are important future prospects in this regard.
332 citations
TL;DR: It is argued that the wider practical applications of phytoremediation are too often overlooked and there is huge scope for cross-cutting other environmental agenda, with synergies that involve the recovery and provision of services from degraded landscapes and contaminated soils.
Abstract: There are very few practical demonstrations of the phytoextraction of metals and metalloids from soils and sediments beyond small-scale and short-term trials. The two approaches used have been based on using 1) hyperaccumulator species, such as Thlaspi caerulescens (Pb, Zn, Cd, Ni), Alyssum spp. (Ni, Co), and Pteris vittata (As) or 2) fast-growing plants, such as Salix and Populus spp. that accumulate above-average concentrations of only a smaller number of the more mobile trace elements (Cd, Zn, B). Until we have advanced much more along the pathway of genetic isolation and transfer of hyperaccumulator traits into productive plants, there is a high risk in marketing either approach as a technology or stand-alone solution to clean up contaminated land. There are particular uncertainties over the longer-term effectiveness of phytoextraction and associated environmental issues. Marginally contaminated agricultural soils provide the most likely land use where phytoextraction can be used as a polishing technology. An alternative and more useful practical approach in many situations currently would be to give more attention to crops selected for phytoexclusion: selecting crops that do not translocate high concentrations of metals to edible parts. Soils of brownfield, urban, and industrial areas provide a large-scale opportunity to use phytoremediation, but the focus here should be on the more realistic possibilities of risk-managed phytostabilization and monitored natural attenuation. We argue that the wider practical applications of phytoremediation are too often overlooked. There is huge scope for cross-cutting other environmental agenda, with synergies that involve the recovery and provision of services from degraded landscapes and contaminated soils. An additional focus on biomass energy, improved biodiversity, watershed management, soil protection, carbon sequestration, and improved soil health is required for the justification and advancement of phytotechnologies.
273 citations
TL;DR: The beneficial effects of seed endophytes on metal toxicity and accumulation are demonstrated, and practical applications using inoculated seeds as a vector for plant beneficial bacteria are suggested.
Abstract: Although endophytic bacteria seem to have a close association with their host plant, little is known about the influence of seed endophytic bacteria on initial plant development and on their interactions with plants under conditions of metal toxicity. In order to further elucidate this close relationship, we isolated endophytic bacteria from surface sterilized Nicotiana tabacum seeds that were collected from plants cultivated on a cadmium-(Cd) and zinc-enriched soil. Many of the isolated strains showed Cd tolerance. Sterilely grown tobacco plants were inoculated with either the endogenous microbial consortium, composed of cultivable and noncultivable strains; single strains; or defined consortia of the most representative cultivable strains. Subsequently, the effects of inoculation of endophytic bacteria on plant development and on metal and nutrient uptake were explored under conditions with and without exposure to Cd. In general, seed endophytes were found to have a positive effect on plant growth, as w...
239 citations