Application of insects in accelerating purification of soil heavy metal pollution
By planting broad beans and introducing aphids into heavy metal-contaminated soil, the feeding behavior of aphids can accelerate the transfer of heavy metals, thus solving the problem of low efficiency in phytoremediation and achieving a highly efficient and green remediation effect for heavy metal pollution.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511361703.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-09-23
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-26
AI Technical Summary
Current technologies for phytoremediation of heavy metal pollution are inefficient, risky, and costly, necessitating a more efficient, green, and harmless remediation method.
By planting broad beans on soil contaminated with heavy metals and introducing aphids during their growth, the feeding behavior of aphids can be used to accelerate the transfer and purification of heavy metals. The broad beans and aphids work together to accelerate the purification of heavy metals in the soil.
It significantly improves the remediation efficiency of heavy metal contaminated soil, reduces the content of heavy metals in the soil, avoids the pollution risk caused by plant decay, and achieves green and economical heavy metal pollution remediation.
Smart Images
Figure CN121198749A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of wastewater treatment technology, specifically to the application of an insect in accelerating the purification of heavy metal pollution in soil. Background Technology
[0002] The rapid urbanization and industrialization in recent years, coupled with long-term mining activities, have generated a large amount of heavy metal waste. Through long-term erosion by rainwater and weathering, these heavy metals gradually dissolve and infiltrate into the soil and water bodies. Heavy metals are characterized by toxicity, persistence, and bioaccumulation. Once in the soil, they cannot be degraded by soil microorganisms and remain there for extended periods, eventually releasing into liquids such as surface water or groundwater, causing severe heavy metal pollution. Remediation of heavy metal pollution often relies on traditional physicochemical methods, which are frequently costly, complex, and may cause environmental impacts and secondary pollution to the soil ecosystem. Considering the cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and environmental safety of remediation, there is an urgent need to develop efficient, green, and harmless new remediation technologies.
[0003] Among various remediation technologies, green and harmless bioremediation, especially phytoremediation, has become a new option for solving pollution problems. Phytoremediation is a more widely used method that utilizes plants to clean up contaminated soil. This technology has advantages such as low cost, ease of post-remediation recycling and treatment, and minimal environmental disturbance, making it more readily accepted by the public. However, its shortcomings include long processing times, low remediation efficiency, and the fact that plant stabilization only limits the migration of heavy metals, posing certain risks and requiring continuous optimization.
[0004] Herbivorous insects can be exposed to heavy metals through various means, including transmission via the soil-plant-insect food chain and exposure in the field. Broad beans, belonging to the legume family and the genus *Vicia*, are the world's third most important winter legume crop. They can work with rhizobia to remediate heavy metals in the soil, and the pea aphid is a major pest found on its spiders. Experiments have shown that insect feeding influences the absorption of heavy metals by plants and can "accelerate" the remediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals. This provides new insights into the management of heavy metal pollution, thereby improving sustainable development and the protection of the ecological environment. Summary of the Invention
[0005] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies by providing an application of insects in accelerating the remediation of heavy metal pollution in soil. This invention is a potential target for phytoremediation; the introduction of pests can further enhance the remediation efficiency of plants, providing a theoretical basis for phytoremediation of heavy metal pollution.
[0006] This invention provides the application of insects in accelerating the remediation of heavy metal pollution in soil.
[0007] Preferably, the application involves planting plants on heavy metal-contaminated soil to purify the soil through plant growth. Simultaneously, insects to be cultivated are introduced onto the grown plants. This prevents the plants from rotting at the end of their life cycle and polluting the soil, while providing a sufficient food source for the insects. The growth of the insects further promotes the purification of the heavy metal-contaminated soil.
[0008] Preferably, the heavy metal is cadmium or lead.
[0009] Preferably, the plant is broad bean and the insect is aphid, more preferably pea pruning aphid. The pea pruning aphid of this invention can further reduce the heavy metal content in the soil where broad beans are planted, thereby accelerating the remediation of heavy metal pollution by broad beans. This is a very promising method for transferring or eliminating certain pollutants.
[0010] Preferably, the broad beans are planted 25 days after planting. Aphids are introduced 10 days after planting.
[0011] Preferably, the planting conditions are: temperature 18-20℃, humidity 65-75%, and photoperiod of 14h light / 10h darkness.
[0012] The beneficial effects of this invention are mainly reflected in the following aspects: This invention purifies the soil containing heavy metals by planting broad bean seedlings in soil containing cadmium and lead through the growth of the seedlings. Simultaneously, aphids are introduced into the grown broad bean seedlings, preventing the seedlings from rotting at the end of their life cycle and polluting the soil, while providing a sufficient food source for the aphids. The growth of the aphids further promotes the purification of the cadmium and lead-containing soil, thereby accelerating the purification process. The pea aphid, by feeding on the broad bean seedlings, accelerates the transfer of heavy metals from the soil to the broad beans as the seedlings grow, thus accelerating the transfer of heavy metals such as cadmium and lead from the soil to the broad beans. Attached Figure Description
[0013] Figure 1 Changes in cadmium content in soil treated with different cadmium concentrations and inoculated with aphids and untreated broad bean seedlings: * indicates P<0.05, significant difference; ** indicates P<0.01, extremely significant difference.
[0014] Figure 2 Changes in lead content in soil after treating broad bean seedlings with different lead concentrations and after inoculation with aphids and without aphids: * indicates P<0.05, significant difference; ** indicates P<0.01, extremely significant difference. Detailed Implementation
[0015] As a result of human activities such as industrial operations, metal mining, smelting, and the use of wastewater sludge, pesticides, and fertilizers in agriculture, global farmland soils are increasingly contaminated with heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, chromium, and arsenic. These toxic elements are typically introduced through industrial wastewater, fertilizers, and excrement, accumulate in crops, and threaten human health through the food chain. Long-term exposure is linked to kidney damage, osteoporosis, and even cancer. Therefore, finding a friendly method for heavy metal remediation is urgently needed. The invention is described in detail below using broad beans as an example.
[0016] Example 1
[0017] Changes in cadmium and lead content in soil after broad bean seedlings were treated with different concentrations of cadmium and lead, and after inoculation with aphids and without aphids.
[0018] 1. Experimental materials: The broad bean (Vicia faba L.) used in the experiment was the blue silkworm, and the aphid species was the pea aphid (Megoura crassicauda). The rearing conditions for the broad beans and aphids were: temperature 19±1℃, humidity 70±5%, and photoperiod 14L:10D.
[0019] 2. Broad bean cultivation: Cd concentrations of 3.125, 6.25, 12.5, 25, and 50 mg / kg were set respectively. 2+ Solutions of Pb at concentrations of 12.5, 25, and 50 mg / kg. 2+ The solutions were used as experimental groups. Different concentrations of Cd were prepared using cadmium chloride. 2+ Solutions were prepared using lead nitrate to obtain different concentrations of Pb. 2+ Solution. First, soak the broad bean seeds for 24 hours, then plant them in soil (nutrient soil:vermiculite:perlite = 12:4:2). Based on the growth requirements of the broad beans, administer 400 mL of the corresponding concentration of Cd every 3 days. 2+ Pb 2+ Solution watering. Seeds were soaked in tap water (0 mg / kg) and watered as controls.
[0020] 3. Based on the growth of the broad beans, determine that on the 10th day after the broad beans are planted in the soil, transplant the reared adult aphids that have not been treated with heavy metals onto the broad bean seedlings. After 10 days of infection, collect the adult aphids (designated as the first generation) and transfer them to a new soil containing the corresponding concentration of Cd. 2+ The solution was applied to broad bean seedlings. Ten days after the first generation of adult aphids infected the seedlings, the adult aphids (second generation) were collected and transferred to new broad bean seedlings treated with the corresponding concentration. This process was repeated to continue infecting the seedlings.
[0021] 4. Soil collection for the experiment: Based on the growth status of the broad beans, soil samples were collected from each group on the 25th day after the broad beans were planted in the soil (during which time they were watered 8 times). Two soil samples were collected: one sample had aphids transferred to the broad bean seedlings on the 10th day after planting, and the other sample had no aphids feeding on the broad bean seedlings.
[0022] 5. Determination of Heavy Metal Content: The heavy metal content in the experimental materials was detected using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Weigh 0.5g of sample, place it in a digestion vessel, add 4mL of nitric acid, pre-oxidize at 80℃ for 1h, then digest using a microwave digester. After digestion, transfer to a 50mL volumetric flask with primary water and bring to volume before ICP-MS analysis. Method for determining heavy metal content in soil: Weigh 0.1000g into a 40mL polytetrafluoroethylene crucible, add 5mL of hydrofluoric acid, 3mL of nitric acid, and 1mL of perchloric acid. Cover and react at 120℃ for 3h. Uncover, remove acid at 180℃ until nearly dry, add 5mL of 10% aqua regia, bring to a gentle boil, remove, transfer to a 50mL volumetric flask, bring to volume, and analyze using ICP-MS. Each experiment was performed in triplicate.
[0023] 6. Broad bean seedlings were planted in the soil for cultivation, and a comparative experiment was conducted with and without inoculation of pea aphids on the broad bean seedlings. Cadmium and lead solutions of various concentrations were collected and tested in the soil after 25 days of purification. The data on the changes in wastewater purification are shown in [reference needed]. Figure 1 , Figure 2 , where 0 represents tap water from group ck. From Figure 1 The results show that broad bean seedlings cultured on cadmium-containing wastewater, after being inoculated with pea pruning aphids, significantly promoted the treatment of cadmium ions in the wastewater compared to the control group without pea pruning aphids. Figure 2 The results show that broad bean seedlings cultured on lead-containing wastewater, after being inoculated with pea pruning aphids, significantly promoted the treatment of lead ions in lead-containing wastewater compared to the control group without pea pruning aphids.
Claims
1. Application of insects in accelerating the remediation of heavy metal pollution in soil.
2. The application of the insects according to claim 1 in accelerating the remediation of heavy metal pollution in soil, characterized in that, The application involves planting plants on soil contaminated with heavy metals, which purify the soil through plant growth; simultaneously, insects to be cultured are introduced onto the grown plants.
3. The application of the insects according to claim 1 in accelerating the remediation of heavy metal pollution in soil, characterized in that, The heavy metals mentioned are cadmium and lead.
4. The application of the insects according to claim 2 in accelerating the remediation of heavy metal pollution in soil, characterized in that, The plant in question is a broad bean, and the insect is an aphid.
5. The application of the insects according to claim 4 in accelerating the remediation of heavy metal pollution in soil, characterized in that, The aphid in question is the pea aphid.
6. The application of the insects according to claim 2 in accelerating the remediation of heavy metal pollution in soil, characterized in that, Broad beans have a planting time of 25 days.
7. The application of the insects according to claim 6 in accelerating the remediation of heavy metal pollution in soil, characterized in that, Aphids were introduced 10 days after the broad beans were planted.
8. The application of the insects according to claim 2 in accelerating the remediation of heavy metal pollution in soil, characterized in that, The planting conditions are: temperature 18-20℃, humidity 65-75%, and photoperiod of 14 hours of light / 10 hours of darkness.