Bisphenol-A removal by the halophyte Juncus acutus in a phytoremediation pilot: characterization and potential role of the endophytic communityBisphenol-A removal by the halophyte Juncus acutus in a phytoremediation pilot: characterization and potential role of the endophytic community Peer-Reviewed Journal Publication Δημοσίευση σε Περιοδικό με Κριτές 2018-05-292017enA phytoremediation pilot emulating a shallow aquifer planted with Juncus acutus showed to be effective for remediating Bisphenol-A (BPA) contaminated groundwater. Biostimulation with root exudates, low molecular weight organic acids, of J. acutus did not improve BPA-degradation rates. Furthermore, the endophytic bacterial community of J. acutus was isolated and characterized. Many strains were found to possess increased tolerance to metals such as Zn, Ni, Pb and Cd. Moreover, several endophytic bacterial strains tolerated and even used BPA and/or two antibiotics (ciprofloxacin and sulfamethoxazole) as a sole carbon source. Our results demonstrate that the cultivable bacterial endophytic community of J. acutus is able to use organic contaminants as carbon sources, tolerates metals and is equipped with plant-growth promoting traits. Therefore, J. acutus has potential to be exploited in constructed wetlands when co-contamination is one of the restricting factors.http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Journal of Hazardous Materials323part 1350-358 Syranidou Evdokia Συρανιδου Ευδοκια Christofilopoulos Stavros Χριστοφιλοπουλος Σταυρος Polítī, María Weyens Nele Venieri Danai Βενιερη Δαναη Vangronsveld, Jaco Kalogerakis Nikos Καλογερακης Νικος Elsevier Antibiotics Bisphenol-A Endophytic bacteria Halophyte Juncus acutus Phytoremediation