Uptake-related parameters as indices of phytoremediation potential

Abstract

Phytoremediation is emerging as an alternative agriculture-based technology because remediation of metalpolluted sites can be brought about utilizing the ability of plants to uptake and store contaminants in them. A field study was conducted to assess the role of Indian mustard in phytoremediation of chromium-contaminated substrata. Uptake parameters, namely, bio-concentration factor, translocation index, Cr distribution within plant, and tolerance index were used in determining the remediation potential of the crop. A significant increase in Cr accumulation (0.64–4.19 mg g−1 DW, stem; and 0.77–1.1 mg Cr g−1 DW, root), coupled with high tolerance indices, was observed in response to Cr stress, thus showing that Indian mustard is a potential hyperaccumulator. Movement and subsequent distribution of metal ions in the plant were assessed by studying the translocation index which showed a consistent increase (27–87% at T5) with time, and bioconcentration factor, where also an increase over a time period was observed in stem (1.3–11.4, T1) and root (1.96–5.56, T1), thereby, depicting the strong ability of Indian mustard for phytoextraction. A significant decline, however, was observed in the bioconcentration factor with increase in the dose of Cr application.