Monosilicic acid potential in phytoremediation of the contaminated areas

The contamination of agricultural areas by heavy metals has a negative influence on food quality and human health. Various remediation techniques have been developed for the removal and/or immobilization of heavy metals (HM) in contaminated soils. Phytoremediation is innovative technology, which has advantages (low cost, easy monitoring, high selectivity) and limitations, including long time for procedure and negative impact of contaminants on used plants. Greenhouse investigations have shown that monosilicic acid can be used for regulation of the HM (Cd, Cr, Pb and Zn) mobility in the soil-plant system. If the concentration of monosilicic acid in soil was increased from 0 to 20 mg L−1 of Si in soil solution, the HM bioavailability was increased by 30–150%. However, the negative influence on the barley by HM was reduced under monosilicic acid application. If the concentration of monosilicic acid was increased more than 20 mg L−1, the HM mobility in the soil was decreased by 40–300% and heavy metal uptake by plants was reduced 2–3 times. The using of the monosilicic acid may increase the phytoremediation efficiency. However the technique adaptation will be necessary for phytoremediation on certain areas. •Monosilicic acid concentration controls heavy metals mobility in soil matrix.•Monosilicic acid at low concentration increases heavy metals adsorption by barley.•The negative influence of heavy metals on barley is alleviated by monosilicic acid.•Monosilicic acid at high concentration reduces heavy metals adsorption by barley.