Phytoremediation of Carbon Tetrachloride Using Poplar Trees

The phytoremediation of CCl₄ using poplar trees was studied. Poplar cells were capable of mineralizing CCl₄ and suggested that a P450-2E1-like enzyme was involved in an oxidative way of CCl₄ transformation in poplar trees. CT biodegradation was not significantly enhanced in poplar-vegetated soils compared with non-vegetated soils, suggesting that the microorganisms in the rhizosphere of poplar trees were not responsible for the CCl₄ removal observed in the field experiment. There was no significant accumulation of organic chlorine in the tissue of poplar trees exposed to CCl₄ treatment, About 56% of the total lost CCl₄-chlorine in the planted bed was recovered as non-toxic chloride ions in the soil.