Document Type : Original Research Paper
Authors
1
Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Environment and Energy, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2
Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
3
Department of Forestry and Forest Economic, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
4
Islamic Azad University, Shahrerey Branch, Tehran, Iran
5
Forestry and Forest Economic Department, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj – Iran
Abstract
Metal pollution has become one of the most serious environmental problems resulting from
human activity. Phytoremediation utilizes plants to uptake contaminants and can potentially be used to remediate metal-contaminated sites. The present study investigates heavy metal uptake (Cd, Cr, and Ni) from soil by different organs of Populus alba and Morus alba. For this purpose, Cd (40, 80, and 160 mg/kg), Cr (60, 120, and 240 mg/kg) and Ni (120, 240, and 480 mg/kg) were added to the soil in pot experiments over the course of a growing season in open air. The total concentration of these metals was measured in the roots, stems, green leaves, fallen leaves, and the corresponding soil. Our results show that the highest accumulation of all studied metals was found in the leaves. Furthermore, the fallen leaves had higher concentrations of Cd and Cr in P. alba and Cr and Ni in M. alba when compared to the green leaves. In the two species, Cd and Ni did not transport from the leaves to the roots and stems, or vice versa, in the fall season, but Cr was transported from the roots and stems to the leaves in the 240 and 480 mg/kg treatments.In addition, the determination of a bioconcentration factor and a translocation factor showed that P. alba and M. alba were suitable for phytoextraction of Cd and Ni in all treatments respectively; however, none of the plants was suitable for phytostabilization.
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