Woody biomass and elements uptake in phytoremediation of compost leachate

Abedi T, Avani N. 2018. Woody biomass and elements uptake in phytoremediation of compost leachate. Asian J For 2: 20-24. This study examined the performance of absorption and growth of Alnus glutinosa and Taxodium distichum which underwent leachate irrigation of Rasht Compost Plant. In mid-March 2013, one year old seedlings of Alnus glutinosa and Taxodium distichum were planted in a greenhouse at Safrabaste Poplar Research Station and since then, this study began. The compost leachate was taken from the collection reservoir of leachate coming from open composting of organic municipal wastes and various gardening and plant wastes. Three treatments were applied to the plants, namely the irrigation using: tap water (control/C), pure leachate (P) and the mixture of one volume unit of leachate with one volume unit of running water (1: 1). It was concluded that leachate had a positive influence on the growth of A. glutinosa and T. distichum namely an increase in diameter and height of seedlings in the measurement period which occured to be caused by fertilization properties of leachate. Statistically, there was no difference in the development of aboveground biomass in the treatment of P, 1: 1 and C. This indicated that both irrigation by pure leachate and mixture liquid stimulate growth in the same way as irrigation by water. The dry mass of root showed the same result as aboveground mass. The total dry mass of the leachate treatment for A. glutinose and T. distichum were, respectively, 83.89 g and 78.68 g. The total root dry mass of leachate treatment for A. glutinosa and T. distichum was, respectively, 11.98 g and 9.09 g. The results of elements absorption showed no statistical difference between the aboveground species. The absorption of Ca concentration in root was higher than the absorption of other elements and showed significant difference in 1: 1 treatment.