Phytoremediation of soil contaminated with nickel, cadmium and cobalt

Abstract

This pot experiment analyzed the use of Brassica napus, Elymus elongatus and Zea mays in the removal of Cd²⁺ Co²⁺ and Ni²⁺ from the soil. The utility of the plants under study for phytoremediation was analyzed based on the biomass of the aboveground parts and roots and the accumulation of metals, bioaccumulation, bioconcentration and translocation capability in the above-ground parts and roots. The effect of heavy metals on the soil enzyme activity and soil physicochemical properties was also determined. Among the species under study, only E. elongatus was found to be suitable for Cd²⁺ phytoextraction, whereas E. elongatus and Z. mays proved to be suitable for phytostabilisation of Cd²⁺ and Co²⁺ because the criterion of the accumulation of metals in the roots at a sufficient level was fulfilled. The index of bioaccumulation in roots was greater than one. Both plant species met the second condition which determined the utility for phytostabilisation, as since the transport of Cd²⁺ Co²⁺ and Ni²⁺ from the roots to the above-ground parts was limited.

Keywords:

• Bioaccumulation index
• physicochemical properties
• plant yield
• soil contamination
• soil enzymes activity

Additional information

Funding

This paper was financed by the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn (Poland) as part of the topic No. [20.610.014-110]. The project was financially supported by Minister of Science and Higher Education in the range of the program entitled “Regional Initiative of Excellence” for the years 2019–2022 [Project No. 010/RID/2018/19], amount of funding 12.000.000 PLN.