Dynamics Phytoremediation of Zn and Diesel Fuel in Co-contaminated Soil using Biowastes

Abstract

In phytoremediation of co-contaminated soil, developing strategies is a major challenge for simultaneous and efficient remediation of multiple pollutants. A lab-scale experiment was set up to investigate the efficiency of adding 5% (w/w) individually of three different organic waste amendments [tea leaves, soycake and potato skin] to enhance the phytoaccumulation of Zinc and diesel fuel co-contaminated soil by Dracaena reflexa for a period of 180 days. Soil contaminated with Zn (80 mg kg-1DW) was spiked with an initial concentration of diesel fuel (25000 mg kg-1DW). Application of biowastes demonstrates significant degradation of DF compared to control soil. The highest rate of oil degradation was recorded in co-contaminated soil planted with D. reflexa and amended with SC (85%) followed by PS and TL (60 and 53.3%). Although the plants did not accumulate any hydrocarbon from the contaminated soil but there was significant bioaccumulation of Zn in the root and stem of Dracaena plant which was observed. At the end of 180 days, 16.5 mg/kg and 12.2 mg/kg of Zn in the root and the steam of D. reflexa was recorded. Results indicated that the D. reflexa could effectively extract Zn from Zn-contaminated soils even in the presence of diesel fuel concentration.