Rhizoremediation of Contaminated Soils by Comparing Six Roots Species in Al-Wafra, State of Kuwait

Abstract

Toxic heavy metals concentrations in soils are locally quite high in Kuwait due to the gulf war in 1991. There are many reasons that make heavy metals high in Kuwait soils such as massive oil spills and direct dumping of untreated sewage and hydrocarbons. Phytoremediation may offer a possible solution to this problem because it might treat the soils through the use of plants even without the demand of removing the contaminated material and disposing it elsewhere. This research project will discuss the best contribution among six types of plant (tree) species (Conocarpus, Tamarix, Phoenix, Rhamnus, Vitex Agnus-Castus and Salix) collected from Wafra 14 km south Kuwait and another six reference trees from the same plant species collected for correlation from Sabah Al -Salem residential area. The samples are divided into two sample categories (roots and soil). From the chemical analysis it was found that rhizoremediation is a unique process in decreasing the level of soil contamination of hydrocarbons and trace metals. The most effective part of the plant in accumulating hydrocarbons and heavy metals were the roots while the appropriate plant was Tamarix. As a recommendation there is a need for studying the fruits of Phoenix to detect accumulates of TPH and Trace Metals and to decrease the harmful effects of the fruits on the human.