Research

Publications
Title: Effects of vermiculite on the growth process of submerged macrophyte Vallisneria spiralis and sediment microecological environment
First author: Bai, Guoliang; Luo, Feng; Zou, Yilingyun; Liu, Yunli; Wang, Rou; Yang, Hang; Liu, Zisen; Chang, Junjun; Wu, Zhenbin; Zhang, Yi
Journal: JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
Years: 2022
Volume / issue: /
DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2021.08.0381001-0742
Abstract: Ecological restoration is one of the hot technologies for the reconstruction of eutrophic lake ecosystems in which the restoration and propagation of submerged plants is the key and difficult step. In this paper, the effect of vermiculite on the growth process of Vallisneria spiralis and sediment microenvironment were investigated, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the application of vermiculite in aquatic ecological restoration. Results of growth indexes demonstrated that 5% and 10% vermiculite treatment groups statistically promote the growth of Vallisneria spiralis compared to the control. Meanwhile, the results of eco-physiological indexes showed that photosynthetic pigment, soluble sugar content, super -oxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activity of 5% and 10% group were increased compared with the control while the malondialdehyde (MDA) content exhibited the oppo-site result ( p < 0.05), which illustrated that vermiculite can improve the resistance of plants and delay the aging process of Vallisneria spiralis. In addition, result of PCA (Principal Com-ponent Analysis) demonstrated 5% and 10% group has improved the sediment physical con-ditions and create more ecological niche for microorganisms directly, and then promoted the growth of plants. The dissolution results showed that vermiculite can dissolve the con-stant and trace elements needed for plant growth. Furthermore, the addition of vermiculite increased the diversity of microorganisms in the sediments, and promoted the increase of plant growth-promoting bacteria and phosphorus-degrading bacteria. This study could provide a technique reference for the further application of vermiculite in the field of ecological restoration. (c) 2022 The Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V.