Potential of Calendula alata for phytoremediation of stable cesium and lead from solutions

Environ Monit Assess. 2011 Oct;181(1-4):63-8. doi: 10.1007/s10661-010-1813-9. Epub 2011 Jan 7.

Abstract

Calendula alata plants were tested for their potential to remove stable cesium and lead from solutions in a 15-day period. The plants were grown hydroponically and placed in solutions containing CsCl and Pb(C₂H₃O₂)₂ at different concentrations (0.6, 2 and 5 mg l⁻¹). When plants were incubated in CsCl solutions 46.84 ± 2.12%, 41.35 ± 1.59%, and 52.06 ± 1.02% cesium was found to be remediated after 15 days. Moreover, more than 99% lead was removed from the Pb(C₂H₃O₂)₂ solution in all three concentrations after 15 days during the same period. When both CsCl and Pb(C₂H₃O₂)₂ were supplemented together in the solution, 9.92 ± 1.22%, 45.56 ± 3.52%, and 46.16 ± 1.48% cesium and 95.30 ± 0.72%, 96.64 ± 0.30%, and 99.02 ± 0.04% lead were removed after 15 days. The present study suggests that hydroponically grown C. alata could be used as a potential candidate plant for phytoremediation of cesium and lead from solutions; however, plants were found to be more efficient for the remediation of lead than cesium.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Calendula / growth & development
  • Calendula / metabolism*
  • Cesium / analysis
  • Cesium / metabolism*
  • Lead / analysis
  • Lead / metabolism*
  • Soil Pollutants / analysis
  • Soil Pollutants / metabolism*

Substances

  • Soil Pollutants
  • Cesium
  • Lead