1109 Evaluation of Ornamental Plants as Metals Bioaccumulators in Urban Low Contaminated Soils F. Larcher, W. Gaino and M. Devecchi Department Agronomy, Forest and Land Management University of Turin Grugliasco (TO) Italy F. Ajmone-Marsan Department of Valorization and Protection of the Agricultural and Forestry Resources University of Turin Grugliasco (TO) Italy Keywords: urban ecology, landscape architecture, phytoremediation, soil quality, PTEs Abstract The importance of green areas is increasingly considered for the restoration of polluted urban ecosystems. This subject represents an emerging area of research gaining a commercial significance in the field of environmental biotechnology. In this context, phytoremediation appears to be a promising technique for metal soil cleanup especially where the area has little or no alternative uses. Ornamental plants can be used for this purpose in urban design, where both environmental and aesthetical solu- tions are needed. A two years pilot study for evaluating the suitability of herbaceous ornamental species to evaluate the attitude of some herbaceous ornamental species as metals bioaccumulators in urban low contaminated soils was carried out. The experiment was carried out in Asti (Italy). Eight species and cultivars have been tested: Helianthus annuus L. ‘Zebulon’, Helianthus annuus L. ‘Nano Semplice – Mix’, Silene vulgaris (Moench) Garcke, Alyssum argenteum All., Alyssum saxatile L. ‘Sulphureum’, Brassica juncea L., Pelargonium sp. ‘Frensham’ and Pelargonium zonale L. Three plots for each species were planted. Physical-chemical characteristics of top soil before and after the experiment were determined. After harvesting, metals contents in plants were measured. Results indicated that metal concentration varied according to the different part of the plants and to the different species and cultivars. Alyssum, Pelargonium ‘Frensham’ and Helianthus appeared to be the most suitable. The use of phytoremediation techniques in urban soils can be an interesting method to control metals accumulation in time. Further studies are required in order to find new ornamental species useful in urban green areas and to evaluate proper methods for their disposal. INTRODUCTION In recent years numerous studies concerning people needs in urban settings have highlighted the fundamental role carried out by green areas in the cities for social, aesthetical and environmental reasons (Matsouka and Kaplan, 2008). The main environmental functions assigned to green areas in urban contexts are related to increasing biodiversity, influencing meso- and microclimate, absorbing noise and promoting air and soil quality. Soil is an essential compartment of the urban ecosystem and human activities such as industry, traffic, fuel combustion and waste disposal, often result in soil pollution by potentially toxic elements (PTEs). Therefore remediation methods are to be devised (Wong et al., 2006). Phytoremediation is a set of remediation methodologies that are based on the use of plants to remove pollutants, especially metals, from the soil or to reduce their impact on the environment (Lasat, 2002; Arshad et al., 2008). It has the advantages to be a low cost and environment friendly technique, but it usually requires a long duration and careful disposal of the metals removed (Alkorta et al., 2004). It appears to be particularly appropriate for use in urban settings. In general, however, efficient accumulators have little esthetical value. In order to combine the remediation action and a decorative effect, a phyto- remediation pilot study was conducted in the city of Asti (northwestern Italy) to evaluate Proc. XXVIII th IHC – IS on Adv. in Ornamentals, Landscape & Urban Hort. Ed.: G. Groening Acta Hort. 937, ISHS 2012