Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2097
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2097
18 Dec 2023
 | 18 Dec 2023

Long-term legacy of phytoremediation on plant succession and soil microbial communities in petroleum-contaminated sub-Arctic soils

Mary-Cathrine Leewis, Christopher Kasanke, Ondrej Uhlik, and Mary Beth Leigh

Abstract. Phytoremediation can be a cost-effective method of restoring contaminated soils using plants and associated microorganisms. Most studies follow the impacts of phytoremediation solely across the treatment period and have not explored long-term ecological effects. In 1995, a phytoremediation study was initiated near Fairbanks, Alaska, to determine how the introduction of annual grasses and/or fertilizer would influence degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs). After one year, grass and/or fertilizer treated soils showed greater decreases in PHC concentrations compared to untreated plots. The site was then left for 15 years with no active site management. In 2011, we re-examined the site to explore the legacy of phytoremediation on contaminant disappearance, as well as plant and soil microbial ecology. We found that the recruited vegetation, along with current bulk soil microbial community structure and function were all heavily influenced by initial phytoremediation treatment. The number of diesel-degrading microorganisms (DDM) was positively correlated with increasing amounts of vegetation on the site, and inversely correlated with PHC concentrations. Even 15 years later, the initial use of fertilizer had significant effects on microbial biomass and microbial community structure activities. We conclude that phytoremediation treatment has long-term, legacy effects on the plant community, which, in turn, impacts microbial community structure, function, and continued TPH disappearance. It is therefore important to consider phytoremediation strategies that not only influence site remediation rates in the short-term, but that also prime the site for restoration of vegetation across the long-term.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

19 Aug 2024
Long-term legacy of phytoremediation on plant succession and soil microbial communities in petroleum-contaminated sub-Arctic soils
Mary-Cathrine Leewis, Christopher Kasanke, Ondrej Uhlik, and Mary Beth Leigh
SOIL, 10, 551–566, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-551-2024,https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-551-2024, 2024
Short summary
Mary-Cathrine Leewis, Christopher Kasanke, Ondrej Uhlik, and Mary Beth Leigh

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-2097', Eglantina Lopez Echartea, 05 Feb 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-2097', Anonymous Referee #2, 07 Feb 2024

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-2097', Eglantina Lopez Echartea, 05 Feb 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-2097', Anonymous Referee #2, 07 Feb 2024

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
ED: Revision (17 May 2024) by Rafael Clemente
AR by Mary-Cathrine Leewis on behalf of the Authors (17 May 2024)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (21 May 2024) by Rafael Clemente
RR by Anonymous Referee #2 (11 Jun 2024)
RR by Eglantina Lopez Echartea (20 Jun 2024)
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (20 Jun 2024) by Rafael Clemente
AR by Mary-Cathrine Leewis on behalf of the Authors (22 Jun 2024)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (26 Jun 2024) by Rafael Clemente
AR by Mary-Cathrine Leewis on behalf of the Authors (26 Jun 2024)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (29 Jun 2024) by Rafael Clemente
ED: Publish as is (03 Jul 2024) by Engracia Madejón Rodríguez (Executive editor)
AR by Mary-Cathrine Leewis on behalf of the Authors (03 Jul 2024)  Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

19 Aug 2024
Long-term legacy of phytoremediation on plant succession and soil microbial communities in petroleum-contaminated sub-Arctic soils
Mary-Cathrine Leewis, Christopher Kasanke, Ondrej Uhlik, and Mary Beth Leigh
SOIL, 10, 551–566, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-551-2024,https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-551-2024, 2024
Short summary
Mary-Cathrine Leewis, Christopher Kasanke, Ondrej Uhlik, and Mary Beth Leigh
Mary-Cathrine Leewis, Christopher Kasanke, Ondrej Uhlik, and Mary Beth Leigh

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The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.

Short summary
In 1995 an initial study determined that using plants & fertilizers increased degradation of petroleum in soil, the site was then abandoned. 15 years later we returned to find that initial choices of plant & fertilizer use continued to cause changes in the plants & soil microbiomes. We also found evidence for restoration of native vegetation with certain treatments, which indicates that this could be an important tool for communities that experience soil contamination.