Poplar Trees for Phytostabilization of Abandoned Zinc-Lead Smelter

Abstract

Poplar trees represent one vegetation option for phytostabilization of heavy metal-contaminated sites. The objective of this study was to investigate the suitability of deep-planted hybrid poplars for phytostabilization of a heavy metal-contaminated site. Tree survival was greatly improved when trees were planted using cattle manure as a soil amendment as compared to no amendment. Survival after 3 years with manure ranged from 18 to 56% for four poplar hybrids, while without manure, the range was 0–18%. Increases in trunk diameter and tree height were also greater with manure than without after the first growing season. Zinc, Cd, and Pb concentrations were as high as 3,606, 44, and 33 mg kg