Efficiency of Elephant Grass (Cenchrus purpureus) as Bioaccumulator Plant and Soil Weathering Enhancer

Authors

  • Naira A. Ibrahim

    Department of Biology, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS-39217, USA
  • Zavier Smith

    Department of Biology, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS-39217, USA
  • Hayleigh Harrison

    Department of Biology, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS-39217, USA
  • Subrata C. Roy

    Department of Chemistry, Physics and Atmospheric Sciences, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217, USA
  • Saiful M. Islam

    Department of Chemistry, Physics and Atmospheric Sciences, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217, USA
  • William B. Evan

    1. Department of Biology, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS-39217, USA; 2. WBE Ag and Environmental Training Center, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/jees.v7i5.8689
Received: 8 February 2025 | Revised: 5 March 2025 | Accepted: 13 March 2025 | Published Online: 15 May 2025

Abstract

The increasing challenges of environmental degradation, soil erosion, and climate change have driven interest in sustainable solutions like enhanced weathering (EW) and phytoremediation. Elephant Grass (Cenchrus purpureus), a fast-growing perennial species, shows promise as a bioaccumulator and agent for soil weathering. This study assessed the potential of C. purpureus to improve soil quality through heavy metal (HM) uptake and EW facilitation. A 60-day greenhouse pot experiment at Jackson State University evaluated plant performance in soils amended with metabasalt rock powder at 1:1 and 2:1 rock-to-soil ratios. Biomass, growth, and HM concentrations in roots and shoots were measured via ICP-MS after wet digestion. Soil pH and magnesium (Mg) release were also monitored to assess weathering and carbon drawdown. Results showed that C. purpureus accumulated more HMs in roots at higher amendment levels, while at lower levels, metals like As, Cd, and Cr were more translocated to shoots, enhancing phytoextraction potential. High treatment favored Fe and Al uptake, possibly reducing toxic metal accumulation in edible parts. Notably, C. purpureus contributed to the weathering of 38% of metabasalt rock, leading to a 42% increase in Mg release. With high biomass, HM tolerance, and weathering capacity, C. purpureus offers a sustainable strategy for soil remediation, improved soil health, and potential support for renewable energy systems.

Keywords:

Elephant Grass (Cenchrus purpureus); Phytoremediation; Heavy Metals; Bioenergy; Soil Enhancer

References

[1] UNEP, 2019. Emissions Gap Report 2019. United Nations Environment Programme.

[2] Longbottom, T.L., Arkley, K., Ellis, E.C., et al., 2022. Global topsoil erosion and the anthropogenic loss of fertile soils. Nature Sustainability, 5(9), 735–742.

[3] Ali, H., Khan, E., Sajad, M. A., 2013. Phytoremediation of heavy metals—Concepts and applications. Chemosphere, 91(7), 869–881.

[4] Haque, M. N., Islam, M.M., Hoque, M.S., 2021. Phytoremediation potentials of some fast-growing multipurpose trees. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 207, 111212.

[5] Pulford, I. D., Watson, C., 2003. Phytoremediation of heavy metal-contaminated land by trees—a review. Environment International, 29(4), 529–540.

[6] Fang, H., 2015. Utilization of Cenchrus purpureus in tropical forage systems: A review. Tropical Grasslands, 3, 1–10.

[7] Mapato, C., Wanapat, M., 2018. Potential use of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) for bioenergy production in tropical regions. Renewable Energy, 115, 1344–1350.

[8] Strezov, V., Evans, T.J., Hayman, C., 2008. Thermal conversion of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum): A biomass analysis for energy production. Bioresource Technology, 99(4), 839–842.

[9] Daud, W.M.A.W., Houshmand, A., et al., 2014. Lignocellulosic biomass for bioethanol: Potential, issues and solutions. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 30, 594–604.

[10] Cardona, C.A., Quintero, J.A., Paz, I.C., 2014. Production of bioethanol from sugarcane bagasse: Status and perspectives. Bioresource Technology. 101(13), 4754–4766.

[11] Zhran, A.F., Lotfy, S.M., 2014. The role of Pennisetum purpureum in improving degraded soil properties. International Journal of Agriculture and Biology, 16, 521–527.

[12] Buhari, M.A., Radziah, O., Mohd, R.A., et al., 2016. Phytoremediation potential of Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) in landfill leachate contaminated soils. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 23, 7679–7688.

[13] Ishii, S., Watanabe, M., Yamada, A., & Yoshinaga, M., 2015. Heavy metal tolerance and accumulation of Cenchrus purpureus in polluted soils. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 36, 102–110.

[14] Liu, L., Li, T., Zhang, Y., et al., 2009. Phytoremediation of copper-contaminated soil by Pennisetum purpureum. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 21(3), 406–412.

[15] Kang, S. M., Khan, A. L., Waqas, M., et al., 2012. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria reduce adverse effects of salinity and cadmium stress in cucumber (Cucumis sativus). Journal of Plant Interactions, 7(2), 213–222.

[16] Jones, J. B., Wolf, B., Mills, H.A., 1991. Plant Analysis Handbook: A Practical Sampling, Preparation, Analysis, and Interpretation Guide. MicroMacro Publishing.

[17] Abdullahi, A., Buhari, M.A., Yusuf, M.B.S., 2021. Phytoremediation potential of elephant grass in cadmium- and lead-contaminated soils. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28(6), 6849–6859.

[18] Ahmed, M.B., Zhou, J.L., Ngo, H.H., et al., 2019. Progress in the biological and chemical treatment technologies for emerging contaminant removal from wastewater: A critical review. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 373, 3–29.

[19] Mclean, E.O., 1982. Soil pH and lime requirement. In: Page, A. L. et al. (Eds.), Methods of Soil Analysis, Part 2: Chemical and Microbiological Properties. Agronomy Monograph No. 9 (2nd ed.), ASA and SSSA, Madison, WI, USA, pp. 199–224.

[20] Eckert, D.J., Sims, J.T., 1995. Recommended soil pH and lime requirement tests. In: Recommended Soil Testing Procedures for the Northeastern United States. Northeastern Regional Publication No. 493.

[21] Smith, P., Andrew, R., Calvin, K.V., et al., 2021. The climate mitigation potential of land management in agriculture and forestry. Nature Climate Change, 11, 234–246.

[22] ten Berge, H.F.M., Hijbeek, R., van Loon, M.P., et al., 2012. Soil nutrient limitations to crop production in sub-Saharan Africa. Nature Sustainability, 1(9), 404–411.

[23] Singh, R., Kumar, P., 2016. Phytoremediation of heavy metals: An eco-friendly approach. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 23(20), 20001–20011. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-7411-5

[24] Smith, S. R., Giller, K. E., & Dodd, I. C., 2021. Heavy metal stress and nutrient interactions in plants. Environmental and Experimental Botany, 188, 104518. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envexpbot.2021.104518

[25] Zhang, F., Liu, M., 2019. The role of iron and aluminum toxicity in affecting plant growth in acid soils: A review. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 65(3), 228–239. https://doi.org/10.1080/00380768.2019.1619392

[26] Flavio Henrique, A. M., da Silva, J. M., Mendes, D. R., et al., 2021. Phytoextraction and phytostabilization of potentially toxic elements by Crotalaria juncea and Canavalia ensiformis in mining-contaminated soil. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28(4), 4569–4580. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-10691-0

[27] Nascimento, C.W.A., Xing, B., 2006. Phytoextraction: A review on enhanced metal availability and plant accumulation. Science of the Total Environment, 368(1), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2006.01.020

[28] Brady, N.C., Weil, R.R., 2016. The nature and properties of soils (15th ed.). Pearson Education.

[29] Miller, A.J., Grant, R.J., 2022. The influence of organic acids on mineral weathering in plant rhizospheres: Implications for nutrient cycling and ecosystem function. Plant and Soil, 472, 75–90. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-021-05161-5

[30] Xie, X., Zhang, C., Yu, Z., et al., 2020. Energy crops for multiple uses: Current status and future prospects. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 132, 110046. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2020.110046

[31] Bastin, J. F., Finegold, Y., Garcia, C., et al., 2019. The global tree restoration potential. Science, 365(6448), 76–79. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aax0848

[32] Lal, R., 2018. Digging deeper: A holistic perspective of factors affecting soil organic carbon sequestration in agroecosystems. Global Change Biology, 24(8), 3285–3301. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.14054

[33] Paustian, K., Lehmann, J., Ogle, S., et al., 2016. Climate-smart soils. Nature, 532(7597), 49–57. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature17174

[34] Gomez-Casanovas, N., Zeri, M., Masters, M.D., et al., 2021. Carbon dynamics in bioenergy cropping systems. GCB Bioenergy, 13(4), 554–567. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12776

[35] Wu, L.H., Luo, Y.M., Xing, X.R., & Christie, P., 2011. EDTA-enhanced phytoremediation of heavy metal contaminated soil with Indian mustard and associated potential leaching risk. Agricultural Ecosystems & Environment, 102(3), 307–318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2003.09.006

[36] Cheng, M., Zeng, G., Huang, D., et al., 2014. Hydroxyl radicals based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) for remediation of soils contaminated with organic compounds: A review. Chemical Engineering Journal, 284, 582–598. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2015.08.014

[37] Porter, S.K., Scheckel, K.G., Impellitteri, C.A., et al., 2004. Toxic metals in the environment: Thermodynamic considerations for possible immobilization strategies for Pb, Cd, As, and Hg. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 34(6), 495–604. https://doi.org/10.1080/10643380490492319

[38] Tang, C., Rengel, Z., 2003. Role of plant cation/anion uptake ratio in soil acidification. In Rengel, Z. (Ed.), Handbook of Soil Acidity (pp. 57–81). Marcel Dekker.

[39] Pena, M.J., Darvill, A.G., Eberhard, S., et al., 2020. Structural features of plant cell wall polysaccharides and their role in growth and development. Annual Review of Plant Biology. 71, 341–370. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-arplant-050718-095504

[40] Yu, C., Chen, G., Xie, Q., et al., 2021. Enhancing cellulose biosynthesis for sustainable bioenergy production: Insights into transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation. Biotechnology for Biofuels, 14(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13068-021-01987-5

Downloads

How to Cite

Naira A. Ibrahim, Smith, Z., Harrison, H., Subrata C. Roy, Saiful M. Islam, & William B. Evan. (2025). Efficiency of Elephant Grass (Cenchrus purpureus) as Bioaccumulator Plant and Soil Weathering Enhancer. Journal of Environmental & Earth Sciences, 7(5), 520–533. https://doi.org/10.30564/jees.v7i5.8689

Issue

Vol. 7 , Iss. 5 (May 2025)

Article Type

Article

License

Copyright © 2025 Naira A. Ibrahim, Zavier Smith, Hayleigh Harrison, Subrata C. Roy, Saiful M. Islam, William B. Evan

Creative Commons License

This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.

Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC