Evaluation of lead phytoremediation potential of Rumex dentatus: a greenhouse experiment

Phytoremediation is a recent approach that employs the use of plants for the removal of pollutants from the environment. This approach is cost effective and environment friendly in comparison of other conventional remediation techniques. A greenhouse experiment was conducted in pots to evaluate the lead phytoremediation potential of Rumex dentatus. Pots were divided into six groups and seeds of the plant were grown in them. Plant parts were analysed for the concentration of Pb. The highest concentration of Pb (423.33 mg/kg) was found in the root of group D plants (grown in 250 ppm Pb-contaminated soil) while the minimum concentration of Pb (296 mg/kg) was found in the root of group C plants (grown in 100 ppm Pb-contaminated soil). The maximum concentration of Pb (467.33 mg/kg) in the shoot of the plants was found in group D plants while its minimum concentration (85.33 mg/kg) was found in the shoot of group A plants. Bioconcentration factor (BCF) of the plants for Pb was found higher (18.39) in control group while minimum (0.61) in the plants of group E (0.61). The calculated translocation factor (TF) value of the plants for Pb was found maximum (1.10) grown in group D pots while its minimum value (0.25) was found in the plants grown in group A soil. The maximum bioaccumulation coefficient (BAC) was 6.74 for the Pb in the plants of control group while its minimum value (0.50) was found in the plants grown in group E soil. Only the plant of the R dentatus grown in 270.77 ppm Pb-contaminated soil showed BCF, BAC and TF values > 1 for Pb. Based on BCF, BAC and TF values, R. dentatus was found feasible for the phytoextraction of Pb from contaminated soil having Pb concentration up to 270.77 mg/kg.