Potentiality of Weed Plants for Phytoremediation of Heavy Metal Polluted Soil

Abstract

Phytoremediation, which utilizes the remarkable ability of plants to concentrate elements and compounds from the environment and metabolize various molecules in their tissues, appears very promising for the removal of pollutants from the environment. In this study, the soil was altered by continuously adding industrial waste, affecting factors like pH, electrical conductivity, soil organic carbon, and metal concentrations. The Contamination factor for metals in the Metoda soil sample was Cu (1.98), Mn (1.58), Cr (1.58), Cd (7.67), and Pb (166.72), while the Pollution load index was 397.51. In comparison, the Shapar soil sample had a Contamination factor of Cu (2.24), Mn (1.58), Cr (1.23), Cd (12.67), and Pb (167.44), with a Pollution load index of 480.49. The contaminated sites showed higher micronutrient and trace element concentrations in weed plants compared to non-contaminated sites. Withania somnifera L. and Calotropis gigantea L. had the highest concentrations of Cd 2.08±0.05 and 2.60±0.05, respectively. Amaranthus spinosus L. accumulated the most Pb (36.34±0.2) and Cr (64.30±0.50), while Withania somnifera L. accumulated the most Mn (28.08±0.43), and Ipomoea aquatica Forssk accumulated the most Cu (43.68±0.37).This article addresses key research, potential benefits and the potential future needs for phytoremediation. Results indicated that uptake patterns of heavy metals by weed plant tissues were more or less related with nature of metals and species specifications. All the studies suggested that each weed plant could be used as a modern tool as a biomonitor.