Evaluation of copper bioaccumulation and translocation in Jatropha curcas grown in a contaminated soil

Contamination of soils with copper (Cu) has become a serious problem in the environment.
Phytoremediation is an emerging green technology that uses green plants to remediate heavy
metal contaminated areas. This study was conducted to evaluate the potential of Jatropha
curcas for remediation of soils contaminated with Cu. Seedlings were planted in soils spiked
with Cu in amount of 0, 50, 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg kg–1 (Cu0, Cu50,Cu100,Cu200,Cu300,
and Cu400) for a period of five months. The maximum height and number of leaves were

Comparison of natural humic substances and synthetic EDTA and NTA as washing agents of a heavy metal polluted soil.

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), nitrilotriacetic
acid (NTA), and other synthetic polycarboxylic acids have
been shown to possess substantial capacity as washing agents
of heavy metal–polluted soils, but they are environmentally
problematic. Th erefore, a sample of natural soluble humic
substances (HS) was tested as a possible substitute. Th e
effi ciency of HS to extract cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and
lead (Pb) from a strongly polluted calcareous urban soil was
compared with that of EDTA and NTA. Th e infl uence of

Chemometric assessment of enhanced bioremediation of oil contaminated soils

Bioremediation is a promising technique for reclamation of oil polluted soils. In this study, six
methods for enhancing bioremediation were tested on oil contaminated soils from three refinery areas in Iran
(Isfa- han, Arak, and Tehran). The methods included bacterial enrichment, planting, and addition of
nitrogen and phosphorous, molasses, hydrogen peroxide, and a surfactant (Tween 80). Total petroleum
hydro- carbon (TPH) concentrations and CHEMometric analysis of Selected Ion Chromatograms (SIC)

Transport of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in a Calcareous Wetland Soil

Knowledge of transport and degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is important in
assessing PAH contamination of soils and water resources. The transport of naphthalene, anthracene,
pyrene and phenanthrene was determined in a contaminated calcareous soil obtained from the Shadegan
wetland (Khozestan, Iran) considering a column study in laboratory conditions. The PAHs were added to
the top 5 cm of soils at 75 and 150 mg kg-1 and leachates were collected for 10 pore volumes. PAH

Isolation and characterization of rhizobacteria and their effects on root extracts of Valeriana officinalis.

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are a group of microorganisms which can enhance growth parameters of host plants and can be used as biofertilizers. Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is a perennial herb which is used as a medicinal plant. In the current study 40 colonies of bacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere of valerian by growing in various enriched and selective media including S1 and King B, crystal violet agar and methyl red agar.