Phytoremediation Potential of Shallots (Allium ascalonicum L.) in Iron-Contaminated Mudflow Sites: A Case Study from Lapindo, Indonesia

Abstract

This research investigates the potential of shallots (Allium ascalonicum L.) for phytoremediation in land areas contaminated with high levels of iron (Fe) metal due to the 2006 Lapindo mudflow in Indonesia. The study was conducted in the Jetis Village, Sidoarjo District, from December 2021 to February 2022, employing the Randomized Complete Block Design (RAK) method. The methodology involved the addition of different concentrations of Lapindo mud (0% as control, 10%, 20%, and 30%) to the planting medium. Our findings reveal a significant relationship between the concentration of Lapindo mud and several plant metrics, such as plant height, leaf count, and wet and dry weight, all of which were assessed using regression and correlation analysis. Additionally, we observed that a 30% concentration of the mud led to physical stunting in the shallot plants, implying that excessive absorption of heavy metals can inhibit growth. Notably, in the 30% mud concentration scenario, the Fe content was reduced from an initial 11.82% to 4.52% post-planting. The study thus confirms the capacity of shallots to perform phytoremediation, specifically by decreasing Fe content, thereby offering a potential sustainable solution to manage metal-contaminated sites resulting from geological disasters.