Phytoextraction of Nickel Contaminated Soil Using Castor Phytoextractor

ABSTRACT

A field experiments was conducted to assess the performance of Ricinus communis and Tagetes erecta in nickel (Ni) contaminated soils at Nanjundapuram village of Coimbatore district (Tamil Nadu, India). The organic sources viz, farmyard manure (FYM) and poultry manure (PM) was added as amendments to increase the Ni bioavailability in soil. The results revealed that Ricinus communis accumulated more Ni than Tagetes erecta and it was enhanced with farmyard manure application over control and poultry manure application. Roots of both crops contained higher Ni concentration than aerial parts. The Ni accumulation ratio was higher in Ricinus communis than Tagetes erecta but both recorded the Ni accumulation ratio of more than one (4.40 and 1.64 respectively). Even though Ricinus communis was found to be effective in removing Ni from the soil, it would take much longer period (about 125 years) to remediate the soil contaminated with 165 mg Ni kg¹ soil. The time requirement was reduced when farmyard manure was added as soil amendment.

Keywords:

• Bioavailability
• Ricinus communis
• Tagetes erecta
• Phytoextraction
• Transfer co-efficient

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This study was funded by the Government of India—Ministry of Environment and Forests, New Delhi, India.