Screening of native tropical trees for phytoremediation in copper-polluted soils

Due to the limited number of studies on phytoremediation using native tree species in tropical soils, the aim was to identify new phytoremediator species from tropical climate with the purpose of promoting an increase in the diversity of tropical native trees used in phytoremediation projects. Seven native tree species from Brazil were selected: Cedrela fissilis, Handroanthus serratifolius, Copaifera langsdorffii, Hymenaea courbaril, Mimosa caesalpiniifolia, Cecropia sp. and Myracrodruon urundeuva. Seedlings of these species were planted in pots with an unpolluted Arenosol, and then spiked with 60, 100 and 500 mg kg−1 Cu. Height and stem diameters were measured over 60 days. Biomass and total Cu concentration were determined in leaves, stem and roots. Copper in bulk soils and rhizospheres was analyzed by a sequential extraction method. All species accumulated high concentration of Cu in roots (>300 mg kg−1), so they could be used as phytostabilizators for this metal. Copper mobilization increased in the rhizospheres, but it was mostly absorbed by roots. Cecropia sp., M. urundeuva and C. langsdorffii are hyperaccumulators of Cu (>300 mg kg−1 in shoots), so they are potential phytoextractor species. This study evidence the potential of seven tree species native from tropical regions for phytostabilizing copper-polluted soils.