Evaluation of selected halophytes for phytoextraction of Co, Cu, Zn and capability of desalination of saline soil

This study reveals the phytoextraction of trace metals (cobalt ‘Co’, copper ‘Cu’ and zinc ‘Zn’) by selected plants Alhagi maurorum , Tamarix aphylla , Salvadora persica and Suaeda nigra in saline soil. The two parts (roots and shoots) of selected plants were collected from different sites and desalinated rhizospheric soil samples (adhering to the root of plants). The matrices of saline soil, desalinated rhizospheric soil samples and different part of selected plants were oxidized using the acid mixture. The metals were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry using different techniques. The mean values of Co, Cu and Zn in bulk saline soil of four sites termed as BS 1 , BS 2 , BS 3 and BS 4 were found to be (18.6, 186 and 188), (22.4, 112 and 189), (27.7, 161 and 193) and (29.1, 191 and 170) µg/g, respectively. The residual % of Co, Cu and Zn in soil after harvested plants was observed as (14.3, 45.3 and 16.5 %), (20.2, 22.6 and 20.4 %), (28.2, 35.7 and 14.4 %) and (28.7, 26.7 and 32.5 %), respectively. The bio-concentration factor (BCF), translocation factor (T F ) and the % of removal rate revealed that T. aphylla for Cu and Zn, A. maurorum for the Cu and S. Persica for Zn are suitable halophytes for the phytoremediation from the saline soil. Thus, it can be concluded that selected plant species may have the ability for the phytoextraction of Co, Cu and Zn from saline soil.