Abstract

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ROLE OF SYNTHETIC CHELATORS IN PHYTOREMEDIATION OF HEAVY METALS BY INDIAN MUSTARD

Gaikwad Rupali S. and Khan Shahana J.


Phytoremediation is a low cost and effective soil treatment option for metal reclamation. The use of plants to remove heavy metals from soil is the phytoremediation. Heavy metals are among the most dangerous substances in the environment because of their high level of persistence and harmfulness to living organisms. The present study in the field deals with phytoremediation of heavy metals from contaminated soil around Steel industry at Boisar Industrial area, using Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) plant. The impact of addition of chelating agents like EDTA (Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid) and Citric acid on the bioaccumulation efficiency of the plant were investigated. Mustard plants were grown in soil around steel industry. The results indicated significant reduction of metals in the soil and increased accumulation in biomass. EDTA proved better than citric acid in extraction of metals from the soil. Order of percentage phytoextraction by plant was Fe+2 >Cd >Al > Zn > Cr > Cu > Mn.