Abstract
Heavy metal pollution is one of the biggest environmental issues at present. The study was conducted with the objectives of evaluation of soil contamination of heavy metals with Cu, Zn, Pb, Mn, Cr and Fe by automobile repairing, painting and service centres in Kandy area, Sri Lanka, and the phytoremediation potential of using Ipomoea aquatica and Colocasia esculenta in such soils. Soil and plant samples from ten sites associated with these industries were analyzed for the Cu, Zn, Pb, Mn, Cr and Fe concentrations and Bioconcentration (BCF) and the translocation factors (TF) were determined.The soils associated with these nutrients were highly contaminated with all the heavy metals studied and both plant species accumulated these heavy metals in different concentrations. The automobile repairing centres caused highest pollution by Cu, Mn and Cr, automobile painting centres caused highest pollution by Pb and Zn, and automobile service stations caused highest pollution by Cr and Fe. Fe concentration was the highest in contaminated soils. Heavy metals were accumulated in all plant parts, roots containing the highest concentrations. Considering the TF and BCF, I. aquatica was identified to be suitable for phytoextraction of Cu and Mn, while C. esculenta was found to be suitable for phytostabilization of Cu, Pb, Mn, Fe and Zn. Uncontrolled release of waste containing heavy metal pollutants, and consequences of I. aquatica and C. esculenta growing in such contaminated sites may cause heavy health hazards.
Highlights
Heavy metals are amongst the most toxic contaminants in the environment
I. aquatica and C. esculenta were used in this study, since these were the only common species to the sites examined
I. aquatica and C. esculenta should be used for phytoremediation purposes with caution, since both are edible species
Summary
Heavy metals are amongst the most toxic contaminants in the environment. They are defined as elements with metallic properties and an atomic number more than 20 (Tangahu et al, 2011).Anthropogenic activities such as industries, energy production, constructions, vehicle exhaust, waste disposal, as well as coal and fuel combustion cause production of heavy metals (Li et al, 2001; Bai et al, 2008).Dispersion of these heavy metals to non contaminated areas occurs in many different ways, while contributing towards contamination of the ecosystem (Gaur and Adholeya, 2004). They are defined as elements with metallic properties and an atomic number more than 20 (Tangahu et al, 2011) Anthropogenic activities such as industries, energy production, constructions, vehicle exhaust, waste disposal, as well as coal and fuel combustion cause production of heavy metals (Li et al, 2001; Bai et al, 2008). A large number of sites worldwide have already been contaminated with high concentrations of heavy metals, making these sites unsuitable for any potential use. This problem is more severe in developing countries such as Sri Lanka, where strict monitoring mechanisms on the waste disposal to the environment from industries do not exist. It is an urgent matter to find effective and affordable remediation technologies to clean the contaminated environment
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