Phytostabilization of a contaminated military site using Miscanthus and soil amendments
Military activities can contaminate productive land with potentially toxic substances. The most common trace metal contaminant on military bases is lead (Pb). A field experiment was begun in 2016 at Fort Riley, KS, in an area with total soil Pb concentrations ranging from 900 to 1,500 mg kg–1 and near-neutral pH. The main objectives were to test the potential of Miscanthus sp. for phytostabilization of the site and to evaluate the effects of soil amendments on Miscanthus growth, soil–plant Pb transfer, bioaccessibility of soil Pb, and soil health.