ABSTRACT

Phytoremediation potentials of Blyophyllum pinnatum and Starch ytarpheta indica were studied by cultivating raised samples of the plants on heavy metal contaminated soil. The amounts of heavy metals (Ni, Pb, Cr, V and Cd) absorbed by these plants over a period of six, months were determined by using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results indicated that the highest values of phytoextraction coefficients for S. md/ca with respect to sorption of Ni(1.11), Pb (3.36), Cr(1.25), V(1.00) and Cd (0.965) were obtained in the fifth, third, sixth, fifth and fifth months of exposure respectively while those obtained for B. pinnatum with respect to sorption of Ni(1.2), Pb(1.3), Cr(0.71), V(0.72) and Cd(1.04) were respectively obtained in the fourth month. Phytoremediation potentials of these plants are found to be time and concentrations related. Both plants exhibited good potentials for the removal of Ni, Pb, and Cd. S. indica exhibited outstanding potentials for the removal of V and Cr white B. pinnaturn exhibited outstanding potentials for the removal of Cd. The use of these plants in removing Ni, Pb, Cr, V and Cd from contaminated soils is therefore advocated.