User:Dcaspar.PDX.edu/Mycorrhizal bioremediation

In 1993 artist Mel Chin collaborated with USDA agronomist Dr. Rufus Chaney in an effort to detoxify Pigs Eye Landfill, a superfund site in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The team planted Thlaspi which had been selected for increased uptake and sequestration of heavy metals. Analysis showed elevated cadmium concentrations in Thlaspi biomass. It has been found that Thlaspi has significant arbuscular mycorrhiza association.

Slovakia has many heavy metal mines which have caused significant regional soil contamination. Samples of Thlaspi harvested in Slovakia from contaminated soils near a lead mine showed increased levels of cadmium, lead, and zinc. Furthermore Thlaspi growing in contaminated regions had higher rates of certain arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi when compared to non contaminated Thlaspi. Since manual clean up is usually inefficient and expensive, mycorrhiza colonized Thlaspi may be useful in bioremediation efforts.