Gentle remediation at the former “Pertusola Sud” zinc smelter: Evaluation of native species for phytoremediation purposes

In the shoots of Dittrichia viscosa the Cd concentration (112 mg kg−1) exceeded the hyperaccumulation threshold. Phragmites australis and Silene bellidifolia concentrated about 30 and 40 mg kg−1 of Tl in their shoots, respectively. Sb accumulation in leaves of Acacia saligna, Eucalyptus camaldulensis and P. australis was more than 20 times higher than herbs. The highest Zn concentration in shoots was recorded in D. viscosa (1172 mg kg−1). The phytoremediation potential of plants was evaluated considering the concentration of metals and metalloids in the plant tissues and also the bioconcentration factor (BF) and translocation factor (TF). The plant requirements for Sb phytoextraction were verified for P. australis (1.66 BF, TF 9.02), and for E. camaldulensis (BF 1.11, TF 1.71) and Galactites elegans (BF 2.30, TF 1.37) for Tl. Scirpoides holoschoenus could be considered for phytostabilization and recommended to restore a green cover on bare soils at the Pertusola Sud site.