This list covers hyperaccumulators, plant species which accumulate, or are tolerant of, radionuclides (Cd, Cs-137, Co, Pu-238, Ra, Sr, U-234, 235, 238), hydrocarbons and organic solvents (Benzene, BTEX, DDT, Dieldrin, Endosulfan, Fluoranthene, MTBE, PCB, PCNB, TCE and by-products), and inorganic compounds (Potassium ferrocyanide).

See also:

hyperaccumulators and contaminants: Radionuclides, Hydrocarbons and Organic Solvents – accumulation rates
ContaminantAccumulation rates (in mg/kg of dry weight)Latin nameEnglish nameH-Hyperaccumulator or A-Accumulator P-Precipitator T-TolerantNotesSources
CdAthyrium yokoscense(Japanese false spleenwort?)Cd(A), Cu(H), Pb(H), Zn(H)Origin Japan
Cd>100Avena strigosa Schreb.New-Oat Lopsided Oat or Bristle Oat
CdH-Bacopa monnieriSmooth Water Hyssop, Waterhyssop, Brahmi, Thyme-leafed gratiola, Water hyssopCr(H), Cu(H), Hg(A), Pb(A)Origin India; aquatic emergent species
CdBrassicaceaeMustards, mustard flowers, crucifers or, cabbage familyCd(H), Cs(H), Ni(H), Sr(H), Zn(H)Phytoextraction
CdA-Brassica juncea L.Indian mustardCr(A), Cu(H), Ni(H), Pb(H), Pb(P), U(A), Zn(H)cultivated
CdH-Vallisneria americanaTape GrassCr(A), Cu(H), Pb(H)Origins Europe and N. Africa; extensively cultivated in the aquarium trade
Cd>100Crotalaria junceaSunn or sunn hempHigh amounts of total soluble phenolics
CdH-Eichhornia crassipesWater HyacinthCr(A), Cu(A), Hg(H), Pb(H), Zn(A). Also Cs Sr, U and pesticidesPantropical/Subtropical, 'the troublesome weed'
CdHelianthus annuusSunflowerPhytoextraction & rhizofiltration
CdH-Hydrilla verticillataHydrillaCr(A), Hg(H), Pb(H)
CdH-Lemna minorDuckweedPb(H), Cu(H), Zn(A)Native to North America and widespread
CdT-Pistia stratiotesWater lettuceCu(T), Hg(H), Cr(H)Pantropical, Origin South U.S.A.; aquatic herb
CdSalix viminalis L.Common Osier, Basket WillowAg, Cr, Hg, Se, petroleum hydrocarbons, organic solvents, MTBE, TCE and by-products; Pb, U, Zn (S. viminalix); Potassium ferrocyanide (S. babylonica L.)Phytoextraction. Perchlorate (wetland halophytes)
CdSpirodela polyrhizaGiant DuckweedCr(H), Pb(H), Ni(H), Zn(A)Native to North America
Cd>100Tagetes erecta L.African-tallTolerance only. Lipid peroxidation level increases; activities of antioxidative enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and catalase are depressed.
CdThlaspi caerulescensAlpine pennycressCr(A), Co(H), Cu(H), Mo, Ni(H), Pb(H), Zn(H)Phytoextraction. Its rhizosphere's bacterial population is less dense than with Trifolium pratense but richer in specific metal-resistant bacteria.
Cd1000Vallisneria spiralisEel grass37 records of plants; origin India
Cs-137Acer rubrum, Acer pseudoplatanusRed maple, Sycamore maplePu-238, Sr-90Leaves: much less uptake in Larch and Sycamore maple than in Spruce.
Cs-137Agrostis spp.Agrostis spp.Grass or Forb species capable of accumulating radionuclides
Cs-137up to 3000 Bq kg-1Amaranthus retroflexus ( cv. Belozernii, aureus, Pt-95)Redroot AmaranthCd(H), Cs(H), Ni(H), Sr(H), Zn(H)Phytoextraction. Can accumulate radionuclides, ammonium nitrate and ammonium chloride as chelating agents. Maximum concentration is reached after 35 days of growth.
Cs-137BrassicaceaeMustards, mustard flowers, crucifers or, cabbage familyCd(H), Cs(H), Ni(H), Sr(H), Zn(H)Phytoextraction. Ammonium nitrate and ammonium chloride as chelating agents.
Cs-137Brassica junceaIndian mustardContains 2 to 3 times more Cs-137 in his roots than in the biomass above ground Ammonium nitrate and ammonium chloride as chelating agents.
Cs-137Cerastium fontanumBig ChickweedGrass or Forb species capable of accumulating radionuclides
Cs-137Beta vulgaris, Chenopodiaceae, Kail? and/or Salsola?Beet, Quinoa, Russian thistleSr-90, Cs-137Grass or Forb species capable of accumulating radionuclides
Cs-137Cocos nuciferaCoconut palmTree able to accumulate radionuclides
Cs-137Eichhornia crassipesWater hyacinthU Sr (high % uptake within a few days). Also Cd(H), Cr(A), Cu(A), Hg(H), Pb, Zn(A) and pesticides.
Cs-137Eragrostis bahiensis (Eragrostis)Bahia lovegrassGlomus mosseae as amendment. It increases the surface area of the plant roots, allowing roots to acquire more nutrients, water and therefore more available radionuclides in soil solution.
Cs-137Eucalyptus tereticornisForest redgumSr-90Tree able to accumulate radionuclides
Cs-137Festuca arundinaceaTall fescueGrass or Forb species capable of accumulating radionuclides
Cs-137Festuca rubraFescueGrass or Forb species capable of accumulating radionuclides
Cs-137Glomus mosseae as chelating agent (Glomus (fungus))Mycorrhizal fungiGlomus mosseae as amendment. It increases the surface area of the plant roots, allowing roots to acquire more nutrients, water and therefore more available radionuclides in soil solution.
Cs-137Glomus intradices (Glomus (fungus))Mycorrhizal fungiGlomus mosseae as chelating agent. It increases the surface area of the plant roots, allowing roots to acquire more nutrients, water and therefore more available radionuclides in soil solution.
Cs-1374900-8600Helianthus annuusSunflowerU Sr (high % uptake within a few days)Accumulates up to 8 times more Cs-137 than timothy or foxtail. Contains 2 to 3 times more Cs-137 in its roots than in the biomass above ground.
Cs-137LarixLarchLeaves: much less uptake in Larch and Sycamore maple than in Spruce. 20% of the translocated caesium into new leaves resulted from root-uptake 2.5 years after the Chernobyl accident.
Cs-137Liquidambar styracifluaAmerican Sweet GumPu-238, Sr-90Tree able to accumulate radionuclides
Cs-137Liriodendron tulipiferaTulip treePu-238, Sr-90Tree able to accumulate radionuclides
Cs-137Lolium multiflorumItalian RyegrassSrMycorrhizae: accumulates much more Cs-137 and Sr-90 when grown in Sphagnum peat than in any other medium incl. Clay, sand, silt and compost.
Cs-137Lolium perennePerennial ryegrassCan accumulate radionuclides
Cs-137Panicum virgatumSwitchgrass
Cs-137Phaseolus acutifoliusTepary BeansCd(H), Cs(H), Ni(H), Sr(H), Zn(H)Phytoextraction. Ammonium nitrate and ammonium chloride as chelating agents
Cs-137Phalaris arundinacea L.Reed canary grassCd(H), Cs(H), Ni(H), Sr(H), Zn(H) Ammonium nitrate and ammonium chloride as chelating agents.Phytoextraction
Cs-137Picea abiesSpruceConc. about 25-times higher in bark compared to wood, 1.5–4.7 times higher in directly contaminated twig-axes than in leaves.
Cs-137Pinus radiata, Pinus ponderosaMonterey Pine, Ponderosa pineSr-90. Also petroleum hydrocarbons, organic solvents, MTBE, TCE and by-products (Pinus spp.Phytocontainment. Tree able to accumulate radionuclides.
Cs-137Sorghum halepenseJohnson Grass
Cs-137Trifolium repensWhite CloverGrass or Forb species capable of accumulating radionuclides
Cs-137HZea maysCornHigh absorption rate. Accumulates radionuclides. Contains 2 to 3 times more Cs137 in his roots than in the biomass above ground.
Co1000 to 4304Haumaniastrum robertii (Lamiaceae)Copper flower27 records of plants; origin Africa. Vernacular name: 'copper flower'. This species' phanerogamme has the highest cobalt content. Its distribution could be governed by cobalt rather than copper.
CoH-Thlaspi caerulescensAlpine pennycressCd(H), Cr(A), Cu(H), Mo, Ni(H), Pb(H), Zn(H)Phytoextraction
Pu-238Acer rubrumRed mapleCs-137, Sr-90Tree able to accumulate radionuclides
Pu-238Liquidambar styracifluaAmerican Sweet GumCs-137, Sr-90Tree able to accumulate radionuclides
Pu-238Liriodendron tulipiferaTulip treeCs-137, Sr-90Tree able to accumulate radionuclides
RaNo reports found for accumulation
SrAcer rubrumRed mapleCs-137, Pu-238Tree able to accumulate radionuclides
SrBrassicaceaeMustards, mustard flowers, crucifers or, cabbage familyCd(H), Cs(H), Ni(H), Zn(H)Phytoextraction
SrBeta vulgaris, Chenopodiaceae, Kail? and/or Salsola?Beet, Quinoa, Russian thistleSr-90, Cs-137Can accumulate radionuclides
SrEichhornia crassipesWater HyacinthCs-137, U-234, 235, 238. Also Cd(H), Cr(A), Cu(A), Hg(H), Pb, Zn(A) and pesticides.In pH of 9, accumulates high concentrations of Sr-90 with approx. 80 to 90% of it in its roots
SrEucalyptus tereticornisForest redgumCs-137Tree able to accumulate radionuclides
SrH-?Helianthus annuusSunflowerAccumulates radionuclides; high absorption rate. Phytoextraction & rhizofiltration
SrLiquidambar styracifluaAmerican Sweet GumCs-137, Pu-238Tree able to accumulate radionuclides
SrLiriodendron tulipiferaTulip treeCs-137, Pu-238Tree able to accumulate radionuclides
SrLolium multiflorumItalian RyegrassCsMycorrhizae: accumulates much more Cs-137 and Sr-90 when grown in Sphagnum peat than in any other medium incl. clay, sand, silt and compost.
Sr1.5-4.5 % in their shootsPinus radiata, Pinus ponderosaMonterey Pine, Ponderosa pinePetroleum hydrocarbons, organic solvents, MTBE, TCE and by-products; Cs-137Phytocontainment. Accumulate 1.5-4.5 % of Sr-90 in their shoots.
SrApiaceae (a.k.a. Umbelliferae)Carrot or parsley familySpecies most capable of accumulating radionuclides
SrFabaceae (a.k.a. Leguminosae)Legume, pea, or bean familySpecies most capable of accumulating radionuclides
UAmaranthusAmaranthCd(A), Cr(A), Cu(H), Ni(H), Pb(H), Pb(P), Zn(H)Citric acid chelating agent and see note. Cs: maximum concentration is reached after 35 days of growth.
UBrassica juncea, Brassica chinensis, Brassica narinosaCabbage familyCd(A), Cr(A), Cu(H), Ni(H), Pb(H), Pb(P), Zn(H)Citric acid chelating agent increases uptake 1000 times, and see note
U-234, 235, 238Eichhornia crassipesWater HyacinthCs-137, Sr-90. Also Cd(H), Cr(A), Cu(A), Hg(H), Pb, Zn(A), and pesticides.
U-234, 235, 23895% of U in 24 hours.Helianthus annuusSunflowerAccumulates radionuclides; At a contaminated wastewater site in Ashtabula, Ohio, 4 wk-old splants can remove more than 95% of uranium in 24 hours. Phytoextraction & rhizofiltration.
UJuniperusJuniperAccumulates (radionuclides) U in his roots
UPicea marianaBlack SpruceAccumulates (radionuclides) U in his twigs
UQuercusOakAccumulates (radionuclides) U in his roots
UKail? and/or Salsola?Russian thistle (tumble weed)
USalix viminalisCommon OsierAg, Cr, Hg, Se, petroleum hydrocarbons, organic solvents, MTBE, TCE and by-products; Cd, Pb, Zn (S. viminalis); potassium ferrocyanide (S. babylonica L.)Phytoextraction. Perchlorate (wetland halophytes)
USilene vulgaris (a.k.a. Silene cucubalus)Bladder campion
UZea maysMaize
UA-?
RadionuclidesTradescantia bracteataSpiderwortIndicator for radionuclides: the stamens (normally blue or blue-purple) become pink when exposed to radionuclides
BenzeneChlorophytum comosumspider plant
BenzeneFicus elasticarubber fig, rubber bush, rubber tree, rubber plant, or Indian rubber bush
BenzeneKalanchoe blossfeldianaKalanchoeseems to take benzene selectively over toluene.
BenzenePelargonium x domesticumGermanium
BTEXPhanerochaete chrysosporiumWhite rot fungusDDT, Dieldrin, Endodulfan, Pentachloronitro-benzene, PCPPhytostimulation
DDTPhanerochaete chrysosporiumWhite rot fungusBTEX, Dieldrin, Endodulfan, Pentachloronitro-benzene, PCPPhytostimulation
DieldrinPhanerochaete chrysosporiumWhite rot fungusDDT, BTEX, Endodulfan, Pentachloronitro-benzene, PCPPhytostimulation
EndosulfanPhanerochaete chrysosporiumWhite rot fungusDDT, BTEX, Dieldrin, PCP, Pentachloronitro-benzènePhytostimulation
FluorantheneCyclotella caspiaApproximate rate of biodegradation on 1st day: 35%; on 6th day: 85% (rate of physical degradation 5.86% only).
HydrocarbonsCynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.Bermuda grassMean petroleum hydrocarbons reduction of 68% after 1 year
HydrocarbonsFestuca arundinaceaTall fescueMean petroleum hydrocarbons reduction of 62% after 1 year
HydrocarbonsPinus spp.Pine spp.Organic solvents, MTBE, TCE and by-products. Also Cs-137, Sr-90Phytocontainment. Tree able to accumulate radionuclides (P. ponderosa, P. radiata)
HydrocarbonsSalix spp.Osier spp.Ag, Cr, Hg, Se, organic solvents, MTBE, TCE and by-products; Cd, Pb, U, Zn (S. viminalis); Potassium ferrocyanide (S. babylonica L.)Phytoextraction. Perchlorate (wetland halophytes)
MTBEPinus spp.Pine spp.Petroleum hydrocarbons, Organic solvents, TCE and by-products. Also Cs-137, Sr-90 (Pinus radiata, Pinus ponderosa)Phytocontainment. Tree able to accumulate radionuclides (P. ponderosa, P. radiata)
MTBESalix spp.Osier spp.Ag, Cr, Hg, Se, petroleum hydrocarbons, organic solvents, TCE and by-products; Cd, Pb, U, Zn (S. viminalis); Potassium ferrocyanide (S. babylonica L.)Phytoextraction, phytocontainment. Perchlorate (wetland halophytes)
Organic solventsPinus spp.Pine spp.Petroleum hydrocarbons, MTBE, TCE and by-products. Also Cs-137, Sr-90 (Pinus radiata, Pinus ponderosa)Phytocontainment. Tree able to accumulate radionuclides (P. ponderosa, P. radiata)
Organic solventsSalix spp.Osier spp.Ag, Cr, Hg, Se, petroleum hydrocarbons, MTBE, TCE and by-products; Cd, Pb, U, Zn (S. viminalis); Potassium ferrocyanide (S. babylonica L.)Phytoextraction. phytocontainment . Perchlorate (wetland halophytes)
Organic solventsPinus spp.Pine spp.Petroleum hydrocarbons, MTBE, TCE and by-products. Also Cs-137, Sr-90 (Pinus radiata, Pinus ponderosa)Phytocontainment. Tree able to accumulate radionuclides (P. ponderosa, P. radiata)
Organic solventsSalix spp.Osier spp.Ag, Cr, Hg, Se, petroleum hydrocarbons, MTBE, TCE and by-products; Cd, Pb, U, Zn (S. viminalis); Potassium ferrocyanide (S. babylonica L.)Phytoextraction. phytocontainment . Perchlorate (wetland halophytes)
PCNBPhanerochaete chrysosporiumWhite rot fungusDDT, BTEX, Dieldrin, Endodulfan, PCPPhytostimulation
Potassium ferrocyanide8.64% to 15.67% of initial massSalix babylonica L.Weeping WillowAg, Cr, Hg, Se, petroleum hydrocarbons, organic solvents, MTBE, TCE and by-products (Salix spp.); Cd, Pb, U, Zn (S. viminalis); Potassium ferrocyanide (S. babylonica L.)Phytoextraction. Perchlorate (wetland halophytes). No ferrocyanide in air from plant transpiration. A large fraction of initial mass was metabolized during transport within the plant.
Potassium ferrocyanide8.64% to 15.67% of initial massSalix matsudana Koidz, Salix matsudana Koidz x Salix alba L.Hankow Willow, Hybrid WillowAg, Cr, Hg, Se, petroleum hydrocarbons, organic solvents, MTBE, TCE and by-products (Salix spp.); Cd, Pb, U, Zn (S. viminalis).No ferrocyanide in air from plant transpiration.
PCBRosa spp.Paul's Scarlet RosePhytodegradation
PCPPhanerochaete chrysosporiumWhite rot fungusDDT, BTEX, Dieldrin, Endodulfan, Pentachloronitro-benzènePhytostimulation
TCEChlorophytum comosumspider plantSeems to lower the removal rates of benzene and methane.
TCE and by-productsPinus spp.Pine spp.Petroleum hydrocarbons, organic solvents, MTBE. Also Cs-137, Sr-90 (Pinus radiata, Pinus ponderosa)Phytocontainment. Tree able to accumulate radionuclides (P. ponderosa, P. radiata)
TCE and by-productsSalix spp.Osier spp.Ag, Cr, Hg, Se, petroleum hydrocarbons, organic solvents, MTBE; Cd, Pb, U, Zn (S. viminalis); Potassium ferrocyanide (S. babylonica L.)Phytoextraction, phytocontainment. Perchlorate (wetland halophytes)
Musa (genus)Banana treeExtra-dense root system, good for rhizofiltration.
Cyperus papyrusPapyrusExtra-dense root system, good for rhizofiltration
TarosExtra-dense root system, good for rhizofiltration
Brugmansia spp.Angel's trumpetSemi-anaerobic, good for rhizofiltration
CaladiumCaladiumSemi-anaerobic and resistant, good for rhizofiltration
Caltha palustrisMarsh marigoldSemi-anaerobic and resistant, good for rhizofiltration
Iris pseudacorusYellow Flag, paleyellow irisSemi-anaerobic and resistant, good for rhizofiltration
Mentha aquaticaWater MintSemi-anaerobic and resistant, good for rhizofiltration
Scirpus lacustrisBulrushSemi-anaerobic and resistant, good for rhizofiltration
Typha latifoliaBroadleaf cattailSemi-anaerobic and resistant, good for rhizofiltration

Notes

  • Uranium: The symbol for Uranium is sometimes given as Ur instead of U. According to Ulrich Schmidt and others, plants' concentration of uranium is considerably increased by an application of citric acid, which solubilizes the uranium (and other metals).
  • Radionuclides: Cs-137 and Sr-90 are not removed from the top 0.4 meters of soil even under high rainfall, and migration rate from the top few centimeters of soil is slow.
  • Radionuclides: Plants with mycorrhizal associations are often more effective than non-mycorrhizal plants at the uptake of radionuclides.
  • Radionuclides: In general, soils containing higher amounts of organic matter will allow plants to accumulate higher amounts of radionuclides. See also note on Lolium multiflorum in Paasikallio 1984. Plant uptake is also increased with a higher cation exchange capacity for Sr-90 availability, and a lower base saturation for uptake of both Sr-90 and Cs-137.
  • Radionuclides: Fertilizing the soil with nitrogen if needed will indirectly increase the take-up of radionuclides by generally boosting the plant's overall growth and more specifically roots' growth. But some fertilizers such as K or Ca compete with the radionuclides for cation exchange sites, and will not increase the take-up of radionuclides.
  • Radionuclides: Zhu and Smolders, lab test: Cs uptake is mostly influenced by K supply. The uptake of radiocaesium depends mainly on two transport pathways on plant root cell membranes: the K+ transporter and the K+ channel pathway. Cs is likely transported by the K+ transport system. When external concentration of K is limited to low levels, le K+ transporter shows little discrimination against Cs+; if K supply is high, the K+ channel is dominant and shows high discrimination against Cs+. Caesium is very mobile within the plant, but the ratio Cs/K is not uniform within the plant. Phytoremediation as a possible option for the decontamination of caesium-contaminated soils is limited mainly by that it takes tens of years and creates large volumes of waste.
  • Alpine pennycress or Alpine Pennygrass is found as Alpine Pennycrest in (some books).
  • The references are so far mostly from academic trial papers, experiments and generally of exploration of that field.
  • Radionuclides: Broadley and Willey find that across 30 taxa studied, Gramineae and Chenopodiaceae show the strongest correlation between Rb (K) and Cs concentration. The fast-growing Chenopodiaceae discriminate approx. 9 times less between Rb and Cs than the slow-growingGramineae, and this correlate with highest and lowest concentrations achieved respectively.
  • Caesium: In Chernobyl-derived radioactivity, the amount of contamination is dependent on the roughness of bark, absolute bark surface and the existence of leaves during the deposition. The major contamination of the shoots is from direct deposition on the trees.

Annotated References

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