Evaluation of Ornamental Plants for Phytoremediation of Contaminated Soil

Abstract

A completely randomized design with three replicates was conducted at the Screen house of the Department of Crop Soil and Pest Management, Federal University of Technology Akure, Ondo State, to examine the phytoremediation potential of Codiaeum variegatum and Basella alba on contaminated soils from four locations. Soils were collected from the Mechanic workshop, Dumpsite, Forest Topsoils, and Effluent site, and filled into the buckets. Initial soil analysis was conducted on all the soils to determine heavy metal concentration (Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb, and Zn). At 12 weeks after planting, soil and plant (root and shoot) samples were analyzed to determine the heavy metals accumulated. WHO permissible limit value for heavy metal concentration in soil and plant were used as a standard to evaluate plant phytoremediation potential. Results from the study confirm the phytoreme-diation potential of C. variegatum and its high tolerance for the accumulation of heavy metals. B. alba plant also shows its potential in removing heavy metals from the soil, but it was not as tolerant as C. variegatum as B. alba planted in soils from mechanic workshop and effluent site had stunted growth.