engleski

Removal of heavy metals from soil by phytoremediation using dandelion (Taraxacum officinale agg.) in the area of the city of Varaždin

Phytoremediation is a relatively new method for the removal of different types of contaminants from the environment using plants. It is especially suitable for the removal of heavy metals from soil. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of removal heavy metals from the soil by wild plant species (Taraxacum officinale agg.) on green urban areas that are exposed to various anthropogenic impacts. During June and July of 2013, the samples of soil and plants were collected on 16 sites of Varaždin region in order to determine concentration of the following heavy metals: cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn). Determination of heavy metals content was performed by using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The results of research have shown that dandelion has a great ability to accumulate heavy metals ; accumulation for cadmium 0.945 mg/kg, for copper 23.45 mg/kg, for iron 218.33 mg/kg, for manganese 49.60 mg/kg, for nickel 5.498 mg/kg, for lead 0.910 mg/kg and for zinc 142.20 mg/kg. Obtained values could have practical purpose in the process of removal of heavy metals from contaminated soil by phytoremediation. The highest values of phytoaccumulation factors have obtained for cadmium (1.0), zinc (0.83) and copper (0.39), and lower values for manganese (0.064), iron (0.0047), nickel (0.0041) and lead (0.0034). The advantage of using dandelion is that it is a common wild plant species, it is not necessary to sow it, and it can be mow down several times a year from urban green surfaces. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the dandelion can be used in phytoremediation of contaminated soil with heavy metals, such method is relatively inexpensive and environmentally friendly, but its application needs a longer period of time.

dandelion; heavy metals; phytoaccumulation; phytoremediation; Varaždin

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