Potential of catharanthus roseus (L.) in phytoremediation of heavy metals

Abstract

Phytoremediation is an environmental-friendly technology that exploits a plant's ability to remove contaminants for pollution prevention, control, and remediation from the environment. Plants are unique organisms equipped with remarkable metabolic and absorption capabilities as well as transport systems that can take up nutrients or contaminants selectively from the growth matrix, soil, or water. Plant species selection is a critical management decision for phytoremediation. Biosolutions are the best tools for all types of pollutions in future. Phytoremediation is one of the promising biosolutions for soil pollution. The earlier studies emphasize need for selecting more and more species for reclamation of soil quality through phytoremediation. The present study is an attempt to test the potential of the Catharanthus roseus species in the removal of heavy metals from the soil. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the metal accumulation capacity of the selected plant species. The heavy metals (lead, nickel, zinc, cadmium, and chromium) were used. Aqueous solutions of these metals added to the plant samples on alternate days for 60 days (2 months). After every 20 days, plant samples were collected from each pot, then dried in a hot air oven and powdered by a mortar and pestle. About 1 g of the powder from each part of the sample was taken for metal analysis by AAS. Catharanthus roseus was found to be a good accumulator of lead, nickel, zinc, cadmium and chromium. On consolidation of the results obtained the species can be recommended for the phytoextraction of lead, nickel, zinc, cadmium, and chromium contaminated soils.