Comparing the potential of three dracaena species to remove lead (pb) from artificial aqueous media

Abstract

The study was undertaken to compare the lead accumulation and removal of Dracaena sanderiana, Dracaena reflexa, and Dracaena deremensis on artificial lead solutions to apply plants in lead pollution treatment. The experiment consisted of 6 treatments corresponding to 3 investigated species of Dracaena. Each treatment was grown on 2 types of solution with Pb and without Pb used as control. The results indicated that the growth of D. sanderiana, D. reflexa, and D. deremensis was not affected at Pb concentrations of 100 ppm. All three plant species had the ability to absorb and accumulate Pb. In which D. sanderiana was a typical lead excluder because the lead concentration in roots (1952.14 mg/kg), shoots (221.78 mg/kg), and leaves (166.46 mg/kg) of the plants were the highest among the three plants tested. The most of lead accumulated in the root, and transportation of lead in D. sanderiana, D. reflexa, and D. deremensis from root to shoot was restricted. Besides, the highest % removal of Pb was found at D. sanderiana (93.16%) and the minimum of 66.77% at D. reflexa. D. sanderiana is the best choice among the three Dracaena species used for phytoremediation of lead contaminated wastewater.