A field experiment was conducted to understand the potential of vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides) in heavy metal uptake from the soil and wastewater. Four main irrigation treatments including T1 (treated industrial wastewater), T2 (1:1 ratio of municipal:industrial wastewater), T3 (treated municipal wastewater) and T4 (fresh water) were applied. Moreover, the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF), Glomus mosseae, on plant growth and heavy metal concentration was evaluated. Three main criteria including bioconcentration factor (BCF), translocation factor (TF) and heavy metal uptake were applied to assess the potential of vetiver grass in accumulation and translocation of heavy metals to aerial parts. The highest concentration of heavy metals was found in plant and soil irrigated with T1 treatment followed by T2, T3 and the lowest concentrations were found in T4 treatment. Irrigation with treated municipal wastewater led to a significant increase in plant biomass and heavy metal uptake compared to other treatments. In T1 treatment (industrial wastewater), vetiver grass caused a significant decrease in Zn, Fe, Cu, Cd and Pb concentrations in soil as compared to no-plant treatment (without planting vetiver grass). Therefore, vetiver grass, irrigated with treated industrial wastewater, is a promising method for the development of urban and industrial green space.
Keywords: heavy metals; phytoremediation; vetiver grass; wastewater.