Phytoremediation of a Polluted Soil by Purple Plant (Tradescantia pallida L.) Under Different Organic Amendments

Abstract

Present investigation was performed to determine the ability of purple plant (Tradescantia pallida L.) for removing heavy metals from a contaminated soil particularly nickel, with the aid of different types of organic amendments. Results of soil heavy metal content after application of different fertilizers were: maximum values (ppm) of V, Cr, Ni, Mn, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Cd, Pb and Ag were respectively: 275.437, 284.807 (control 1), 265.073, 1071.32, 60.0671 (control 2), 77.8288, 9.5162, 8.5267 (control 1), 5.7943 (control 1), 7.5076 (control 2) and 37.8868 (control 1). Whereas, the minimum values (ppm) of V: 104.644, Cr: 85.7222 (commercial fertilizer), Ni: 164.92, Mn: 711.155 (cow dung), Cu: 15.5141 (cow dung), Zn: 43.3929 (commercial fertilizer), As: 3.7819 (cow dung), Mo: 0.000 (plant residue composite and bird manure), Cd: 0.000 (plant residue composite and bird manure), Pb: 4.1535 (bird manure) and Ag: 2.9181 (plant residue composite). This indicate that the use of organic amendment induce the phytoremediation of polluted soils.