Global Journal of Human-Social Science, B: Geography, Environmental Science and Disaster Management, Volume 22 Issue 3

Ailanthus Altissima (Mill.) Swingle, Bioacumulated Specie of Contaminated Soils Corral Ribera, M. α , De Soto García, I.S. σ , Fidalgo Hijano, C. ρ , & García Giménez, R. Ѡ Abstract- Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle) is one of the most wides pread invasive alien species on a global s cale. Its current distribution is clearly linked to anthropized environments, where concentrations of heavy metals or trace elements in their soils can reach levels of toxicity to other plant organisms. The present research carried out in environments of the Community of Madrid (Spain) focuses on the relationship between the presence in soil components such as arsenic (As), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), boron (B), vanadium (V), cobalt (Co), etc., harmful to some plant organisms, and the existence of Ailanthus altissima. The results obtained identify that the species modifies the content of some minority elements, a fact that must be taken into account for future soil fertility studies. Secondly, ailanto is capable of absorbing toxic elements present in the soil environment, which shows its value as a phytoremediator of contaminated soils. Keywords: ailanthus altissima, soil contamination, heavy metals, bioconcentration, phytoremediation, fertility. I. I NTRODUCTION he last centuries are characterized by the increase in the quantity, typology and dangerousness of the waste that ends up being incorporated into the soil. The soil transformation of certain chemical compounds causes, on numerous occasions, its disturbance. This translates into a loss of quality and suitability for certain uses, unless the soil is subjected to phytoremediation treatments (Porta-Casanellas et al. 1999). Among the chemical contaminants of the soil component, heavy metals such as copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), vanadium (V), cobalt (Co), among others, stand out. Although these elements are natural components, in high concentrations, they are potentially harmful to the natural environment. Without forgetting that the incorporation of contaminants into the soil implies an increase in the concentrations of trace elements that can be toxic and cause irreversible damage to plant organisms (Kumar, 2013; Kleckerova and Dočekalová, 2014). In this context Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle could be used as an indicator species and bioaccumulator of harmful elements in disturbed environments. Hu et al. (2014) determines that in the city of Yan'an (Loess Plateau, China) ailanthus acts as a signifier bioaccumulating species of lead, copper and cadmium. In addition, it also has the capacity to store, in its aerial part, chromium and zinc. Lin et al. (2017) establishes that, in different of Beijing, A. altissima absorbs a large number of toxic elements (highlighting metals) in its leaf surface. In the same sense, recent research shows that the existence or degree of concentration of certain chemical substances in the soil is related to the proliferation of Ailanthus altissima (Corral, 2022). These investigations identify the importance that the use of Ailanthus altissima as a remedying species of contaminated soils may have. Considering the capacity of Ailanthus altissima to bioaccumulate toxic elements in its leaves, which will then be returned to the soil after the loss of the leaf surface, the present research has as a preliminary hypothesis the study of the soil composition modification in which this species develops. Previous research (Corral, 2021; Corral, 2022; Corral et al., 2022) seem to indicate the importance of the existence of a significant number of specimens of Ailanthus altissima to be able to originate this modification. Therefore, the objective of this article is to study the possible differences between soils with the presence and absence of Ailanthus altissima and to study the possible modifications into the soil due to the presence of this plant species. II. A ILANTHUS A LTISSIMA AS B IOACCUMULATING S PECIES Plant organisms play a major role as bioaccumulators of chemicals, transferring harmful elements from the abiotic environment to their plant tissues (Alcoba et al. 2014; Martínez-López et al. 2014). It is important to define the concept of bioaccumulator species as that organism that stores heavy metals or other environmental pollutants in its tissues. These pollutants are absorbed from the environment when species perform their biological functions. Plant organisms present two adaptive strategies against soil contamination: - On the one hand, exclusion strategies, which prevent the assimilation of the element, restrict its transport to the plant itself, produce exudates by the T © 2022 Global Journals Volume XXII Issue III Version I 1 ( ) Global Journal of Human Social Science - Year 2022 B Author α ρ : Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Dpto. Geografía. e-mails: mario.corral@uam.es, concepcion.fidalgo@uam.es Author σ : Universidad Pública de Navarra. Dpto. Ciencias. e-mail: isabelsonsoles.desoto@unavarra.es Author Ѡ : Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Dpto. Geología y Geoquímica. e-mail: rosario.garcia@uam.es