Research Article Open Access

Phytoremediation of Zinc Contaminated Soils by Physalis minima Linn

Abstract

Contamination of the biosphere by heavy metals has increased sharply at the beginning of the 20th century, posing major environmental and human health problems worldwide. Metal pollution is considered hazardous to biological systems because of their oxidative and carcinogenic potential. Phytoremediation technology has been receiving attention lately as an innovative, cost-effective, and long-term alternative to the more established engineering methods used at hazardous waste sites. Plants have the ability to take up harmful substances and then store or metabolize them. This suggests the possibility of phytoremediation of soil contaminated with organic, inorganic, and radioactive substances, all of which are difficult to remove from soil with conventional methods. In the present study Physalis minima Linn a weed plant species used for zinc contaminated soils. This species belong to Solanaceae family of perennial herbs. The plant Physalis minima Linn was grown in pots filled with soil and solution of Zinc was administered to the plants for 60 days. The uptake of heavy metals was estimated at 20 days intervals in roots, stem and leaves. A set of control experiment without application of heavy metal solution was also maintained. The order of accumulation of Zinc in Physalis minima was recorded as root> leaves> stem. The Bioconcentration factor and Translocation factor was also calculated. Based on the BCF and TF the weed plant species is a zinc accmulator.

V. Subhashini, Dr. A. V. V. S. Swamy

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