Applying rhizobacteria consortium for the enhancement of Scirpus grossus growth and phytoaccumulation of Fe and Al in pilot constructed wetlands

Pilot-scale constructed wetlands planted with Scirpus grossus, were used to investigate the effects of applying a three-rhizobacterial consortium (Bacillus cereus strain NII, Bacillus subtilis strain NII and Brevibacterium sp. strain NII) on the growth of S. grossus and also on the accumulation of iron (Fe) and aluminium (Al) in S. grossus. The experiment includes constructed wetlands with the addition of 2% of the consortium rhizobacteria and without the consortium rhizobacteria addition (acting as control). During each sampling day (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 42, 72 and 102), plant height, concentration of Fe and Al and sand microbial community were investigated. The results for the constructed wetland with the addition of consortium rhizobacteria showed the growth of S. grossus increased significantly at 26% and 29% for plant height and dry weight, respectively. While the accumulation of Fe and Al in S. grossus were enhanced about 48% and 19% respectively. To conclude, the addition of the rhizobacteria consortium has enhanced both the growth of S. grossus and the metal accumulation. These results suggesting that rhizobacteria has good potential to restore Fe and Al contaminated water in general and particularly for mining wastewater. [Display omitted] •This is a first report on PGP bacteria-Fe-Al-Scirpus grossus interactions.•Consortium of B. cereus, B. subtilis and Brevibacterium sp. promotes the growth of S. grossus.•Consortium rhizobacteria enhanced the Fe and Al accumulation in S. grossus.•S. grossus boosts the phytostabilization of Fe and Al from mining wastewater.