title: Potential of Calendula alata for phytoremediation of stable cesium and lead from solutions.
abstract: Calendula alata plants were tested for their potential to remove stable cesium and lead from solutions in a 15-day period. The plants were grown hydroponically and placed in solutions containing CsCl and Pb(C₂H₃O₂)₂ at different concentrations (0.6, 2 and 5 mg l⁻¹). When plants were incubated in CsCl solutions 46.84 ± 2.12%, 41.35 ± 1.59%, and 52.06 ± 1.02% cesium was found to be remediated after 15 days. Moreover, more than 99% lead was removed from the Pb(C₂H₃O₂)₂ solution in all three concentrations after 15 days during the same period. When both CsCl and Pb(C₂H₃O₂)₂ were supplemented together in the solution, 9.92 ± 1.22%, 45.56 ± 3.52%, and 46.16 ± 1.48% cesium and 95.30 ± 0.72%, 96.64 ± 0.30%, and 99.02 ± 0.04% lead were removed after 15 days. The present study suggests that hydroponically grown C. alata could be used as a potential candidate plant for phytoremediation of cesium and lead from solutions; however, plants were found to be more efficient for the remediation of lead than cesium.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Management, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Borghei
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Arjmandi
authors.forename: Roxana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moogouei
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D020838:Calendula / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D002586:Cesium / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D012989:Soil Pollutants; D002586:Cesium; D007854:Lead