Phytoextraction of Lead Using a Hedge Plant [ Alternanthera bettzickiana (Regel) G. Nicholson]: Physiological and Biochemical Alterations through Bioresource Management

Urooj Kanwal, Muhammad Ibrahim, Farhat Abbas, Muhammad Yamin, Fariha Jabeen, Anam Shahzadi, Aitazaz A. Farooque, Muhammad Imtiaz, Allah Ditta and Shafaqat Ali
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Urooj Kanwal: Department of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
Muhammad Ibrahim: Department of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
Farhat Abbas: School of Climate Change and Adaptation, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3, Canada
Muhammad Yamin: Department of Farm Machinery & Power, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering & Technology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
Fariha Jabeen: Department of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
Anam Shahzadi: Department of Zoology, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
Aitazaz A. Farooque: School of Climate Change and Adaptation, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3, Canada
Muhammad Imtiaz: Environmental Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Faisalabad 44000, Pakistan
Allah Ditta: Department of Environmental Sciences, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University Sheringal, Upper Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 18000, Pakistan
Shafaqat Ali: Department of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 9, 1-13

Abstract: Phytoremediation is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach that can be used for the remediation of metals in polluted soil. This study used a hedge plant–calico ( Alternanthera bettzickiana (Regel) G. Nicholson) to determine the role of citric acid in lead (Pb) phytoremediation by exposing it to different concentrations of Pb (0, 200, 500, and 1000 mg kg −1 ) as well as in a combination with citric acid concentration (0, 250, 500 µM). The analysis of variance was applied on results for significant effects of the independent variables on the dependent variables using SPSS (ver10). According to the results, maximum Pb concentration was measured in the upper parts of the plant. An increase in dry weight biomass, plant growth parameters, and photosynthetic contents was observed with the increase of Pb application (200 mg kg −1 ) in soil while a reduced growth was experienced at higher Pb concentration (1000 mg kg −1 ). The antioxidant enzymatic activities like superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) were enhanced under lower Pb concentration (200, 500 mg kg −1 ), whereas the reduction occurred at greater metal concentration Pb (1000 mg kg −1 ). There was a usual reduction in electrolyte leakage (EL) at lower Pb concentration (200, 500 mg kg −1 ), whereas EL increased at maximum Pb concentration (1000 mg kg −1 ). We concluded that this hedge plant, A. Bettzickiana , has the greater ability to remediate polluted soils aided with citric acid application.

Keywords: lead; Alternanthera bettzickiana; citric acid; phytoremediation; antioxidants (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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