The Roles of Diethylenetriamine Pentaacetate (DTPA) and Ethylenediamine Disuccinate (EDDS) in Remediation of Selenium from Contaminated Soil by Brussels Sprouts (Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera)

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of adding different rates of diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (DTPA) at different concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, and 5 mmol kg−1) and ethylenediamine disuccinate (EDDS) at 0, 5, 7.5, and 10 mmol kg−1 on the capacity of Brussels sprouts plants to take up Se from soils contaminated with 0, 5, 10, and 15 mg kg−1 NaSeO4, under a greenhouse conditions. Results indicated that the application of DTPA and EDDS to Se-contaminated soils significantly affect plant Se concentration, Se uptake, and dry matter yield of plants. Se concentration in the plant leaves, stems, and roots increased with increase in DTPA and EDDS application doses, but total Se uptake increased from 0 to 1.0 and 7.5 mmol kg−1 DTPA and EDDS application doses, respectively, and decreased after those levels due to toxic Se concentration for plant. Most plant available fractions and the carbonate, metal oxide, and organic matter-bound fractions increased linearly with Se application. At all DTPA and EDDS application rates, the Se concentrations in the leaves were about two to three times higher than those in the roots and about three to four times higher than those in the stems. This study suggests that the above-ground organs like leaf and shoots of Brussels sprouts can effectively be used in the removal of Se from soils contaminated with Se. Under the conditions in this experiment, Brussels sprouts were capable of removing 0.9–1.8 mg Se pot−1 when harvested at maturity without any chelating agent take into consideration one growing season per year. Based on the data of present experiment, it would be necessary to approximately 57–67 growing seasons without EDDS and EDTA to remove all total Se from polluted soil. Selenium removal can be further increased 12- to 20-fold with 7.5 mmol kg−1 EDDS and 1.0 mmol kg−1 DTPA application, respectively.