Evaluation of phytoextracting cadmium and lead by sunflower, ricinus, alfalfa and mustard in hydroponic culture.
Soil contaminated with heavy metals cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) is hard to be remediated. Phytoremediation may be a feasible method to remove toxic metals from soil, but there are few suitable plants which can hyperaccumulate metals. In this study, Cd and Pb accumulation by four plants including sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), mustard (Brassica juncea L.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), ricinus (Ricinus communis L.) in hydroponic cultures was compared. Results showed that these plants could phytoextract heavy metals, the ability of accumulation differed with species, concentrations and categories of heavy metals. Values of BCF (bioconcentration factor) and TF (translocation factor) indicated that four species had dissimilar abilities of phytoextraction and transportation of heavy metals. Changes on the biomass of plants, pH and Eh at different treatments revealed that these four plants had distinct responses to Cd and Pb in cultures. Measurements should be taken to improve the phytoremediation of sites contaminated with heavy metals, such as pH and Eh regulations, and so forth.
Zhi-xin
Niu
N
Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China. jesonniu@hotmail.com
Sun
Li-na
LN
Sun
Tie-heng
TH
Li
Yu-shuang
YS
Wang
Hong
H
D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002104:Cadmium / Q000378:metabolism*; D006368:Helianthus / Q000378:metabolism*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D018527:Hydroponics; D007854:Lead / Q000378:metabolism*; D000455:Medicago sativa / Q000378:metabolism*; D009149:Mustard Plant / Q000378:metabolism*; D012278:Ricinus / Q000378:metabolism*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism
D012989:Soil Pollutants; D002104:Cadmium; D007854:Lead