Evaluation of Phytoremediation Potentials of Some Plants Species of Serra da Tiririca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this study was to present new information on the main plant species occurring in the Serra da Tiririca State Park capable of potentially acting as phytormediators. This was based on a floristic inventory as well as field research. The floristic inventory resulted in the recording of 69 endemic plant species in the State Park of Serra da Tiririca. Among these the following known hyperacummulator families occurred: Brassicaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae (Leguminosae), Asteraceae and Lamiaceae. The main phytoremediator species identified and the mechanism by which they perform the remediation process, respectively, were: Thlaspi caerulescens J. and C. Presl, Pteris sp., Berkheya coddii Ans, Phytoextraction; Brassica juncea L., Salicornia bigelovvi Torr, Phytovolatilization; Zea mays L., Eucaliptus spp., Agrostis cappilares L., Festuca rubra L., Phytostabilization; Eichhornia crassipes, Phytodetoxification; Helianthus sp., Eichhornia crassipes Mart., Pteris sp., Rhizofiltration and Brassica juncea L., Rhizovilatilization. For the mediation of contaminated soils, these species identified in this study present a potential ability to perform phytoremediation process.