Effects of the halophyte Salsola crassa on remediation of industrial environment

Due to the increasing number of pollutants, the use of plants for the purpose of environmental refinement has been considered for some time. In this research we used the halophyte Salsola crassa M.B. with the aim of reducing industrial pollutants with an emphasis on heavy metals (Zn, Cd, Cu, Ni and Pb), and to determine the aggregation organs. For this purpose, a total of 60 control and treatment plants were identified and enclosed at the beginning of germination in the area of the industrial city of Shiraz. They were irrigated twice a week for three months by industrial wastewater (treatment) and tap water (control), then collected. In order to calculate the amount of heavy metals in the plant tissues, the shoots and roots were separated and prepared for analysis by ICP (by the method of solubility in hydrochloric acid). The results showed that the concentration of Cu in the treated to the control root was 2.07, Ni was 1.68, Pb was 1.06 and Zn was 1.14; while their concentrations in the treated to the control shoots were as follow: Cu (1.61), Ni (1.78), Pb (1.84) and Zn (1.63). The Cd concentration in both the treated and control samples had no significant changes. It can be concluded that the shoots and roots of Salsola crassa have been successful in absorbing heavy metals Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn. The roots have been successful in absorbing Cu and Ni, and the shoots absorbed Ni, Pb and Zn effectively. Therefore, this plant could be a good candidate for industrial remediation in the environment

Keywords:

Phytoremediation , S. crassa , Heavy metals , ICP