World Journal of Engineering Research and Technology

Garba S. T.*, Gudusu M. and Tukur A.

ABSTRACT

This research was aimed at assessing the metal accumulation potential of the grass, Hordeum vulgare for effective phytoremediation. Laboratory pot experiment was conducted. Seed of the grass were seeded into 2.0 kg soil spiked with different concentrations of, 150, 500 and 1000ppm for Pb and Ni as Pb(NO3)2 and Ni(NO3)2.6H2O; 150, 250, and 400ppm for Cd as Cd(NO3)2; 150, 500 and 1000ppm for Se, as SeO2. Experiment was monitored with adequate irrigation for a period of eight weeks with the control. At the end, harvested plants were separated into roots and shoots, treated and analyzed along with the soil using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The enrichment (EF) and translocation factors (TF) of the metals were calculated. The results showed that, lead (Pb) has the TF values of 0.35, 0.85, 0.57 at the different concentrations respectively and 0.81 for the control. Its EF values are; 1.23, 1.02, 4.93 and 2.62 for the control respectively. Cadmium has the TF values of 0.82, 0.71, 1.11 respectively and 1.01 for the control. Its EF values are 0.88, 0.75, 0.97 respectively and 1.02 for the control. Nickel has 0.32, 0.42, 0.40 respectively and 0.86 for the control. Its EF values are; 0.59, 1.33, 1.17 respectively and 1.19 for the control. Selenium on the hand has the TF values of 1.45, 0.63, 0.58 and 1.01 for the control. These TF and EF values suggest that, Hordeum vulgare, may serve as a soil stabilizer for Pb, Ni and Se; one of the techniques of phytoremediation known as phytostabilization for having TF values less than one (1), and EF values greater than one (1) at most of the different concentrations. For cadmium, the control and at 400ppm Cd in the pot, has the TF value greater than one (1) and the EF values were all less than one which shows that Cd is stored at high level in the harvestable parts of the plant, the shoot. Thus can be harvested and disposed. The plant may therefore be defined as Cd phytoextractor. Phytoextraction, is also a technique of phytoremediation which involves the uptake and accumulation of contaminants in the shoot of plant species at higher level than the root without sign of toxicity.

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