Investigating the Effects of Plant Root Exudates on PAHs Bioavailability to Soil Microorganisms in Contaminated Brownfields : Research Methodology.

Abstract

As a result of heavy industrial past activities, an estimated 6,000 brownfields require remediation in Wallonia. This number rises to over 3.5 million in Europe. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) represent 17% of treated pollutants in Wallonia (Aldric et al., 2011). Current remediation techniques are rather expensive and technically demanding (Megharaj et al., 2011). Based on the observation that PAHs soil content decreases in the presence of plants (Cheema et al., 2010), the PhD aims at developing alternative PAHs remediation techniques in brownfields. It is articulated around three research axes. The first axis focusses on plant exudates and how they may improve PAHs bioavailability to soil microorganisms and enhance their degradation. This will be investigated by (i) characterizing several contaminated soils (physico-chemical parameters) and PAH content and factors of bioavailability, (ii) selecting a plant model and collecting root exudates, and (iii) evaluating the effects of exudates on PAHs bioavailability. The objective of the second axis is to evaluate the effects of plant exudates on PAHs degrading microorganisms by (i) comparing PAHs biodegradation in the presence/absence of exudates and (ii) assessing the potential toxic effects of exudate compounds on the microbial communities. The aim of the third axis is to study plant-pollutants interactions by (i) establishing the plant tolerance to several contamination levels and (ii) following PAHs bioavailability when facing real exudation rates, on the field