The ability of the Erodium cicutarium plant to absorb lead from lead-contaminated soils

Author

Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract
Mining activities and metal extraction are major factors in soil pollution, and generally surface soils around mines contain high amounts of these metals. The purpose of this research is to investigate the ability of lead absorption by Erodium cicutarium plant from lead contaminated soils. After identifying the collected plant samples, the samples were prepared for relevant analysis. Then, the amount of lead element, electrical conductivity, pH was measured and the ability of plant samples to absorb and accumulate lead was investigated by calculating the bioconcentration factor (BCF) and displacement factor (TF). According to the results, the total amount of lead in the soil ranges from 377 to 1250 mg-1kg of dry weight. Also, it can be seen that the exchangeable amount of lead elements in the soil ranges from 4 to 15 mg-1kg of dry weight. The average pH of the soil samples ranged from 6.8 to 7.1. Also, the results showed that the highest average amount of lead in Erodium cicutarium plant is 1516 mg-1kg in the roots, 110 mg-1kg in the aerial parts and 637 mg-1kg in the soil. Plants with bioconcentration factor (BCF) greater than one and displacement factor (TF) less than one are suitable for plant stabilization. Investigations showed that the bioconcentration factor in Erodium cicutarium plant is 2.3 and the transfer factor is 0.2. Therefore, according to the results, the plant shows BCF more than one and TF less than one. Therefore, Erodium cicutarium plant is a suitable species for phytoremediation in the form of plant stabilization of lead.

Keywords


  • Receive Date 25 February 2024
  • Revise Date 08 April 2024
  • Accept Date 15 April 2024
  • First Publish Date 15 April 2024
  • Publish Date 20 March 2024