Phytoremediation efficiencies of Brassica napus and Chenopodium quinoa in soils contaminated with Pb using chelator complexes

Abstract

Heavy metal pollution is one of the essential pollutions, and phytoremediation is one of the preferred methods to eliminate this pollution. The use of the degradable chelating agent for phytoremediation efficiency is a promising and low-cost method for removing soil contaminated with heavy metals. In this study, it was investigated whether phenanthroline and humic acid increase phytoremediation activities for Brassica napus L. and Chenopodium quinoa Wild. species and their applicability. The study was carried out under greenhouse conditions with 3 replications according to a complete random block trial design by applying 4 doses of each of the (i) control (without chelate), (ii) EDTA, (iii) nitro, (iv) pyridine, (v) 1-10 phenanthroline and (vi) humic acid treatments (0, 2.5, 5 and 10 mmol kg-1 The obtained results showed that the highest tolerance indices (TI) for B. napus was found at 2.5 mmol kg-1 nitro chelate. TI of C. quinoa was highest at 5 mmol kg-1 pyridine chelate. Maximum Pb accumulations were found at 5 mmol kg-1 1-10 phenanthroline and 5 mmol kg-1 pyridine chelates in B. napus and C. quinoa, respectively. In both species, while Pb accumulations were high in roots, they were low in stems and leaves. Bioconcentration factors (BCF) were calculated highest at 2.5 mmol kg-1 nitro and 1-10 phenanthroline for B. napus and C. quinoa, respectively. These species were used as hyperaccumulator plants in many studies. Increasing the performance of hyperaccumulator plants to be used in cleaning the habitats exposed to heavy metal pollution will increase the efficiency of phytoremediation.