PS 42-56 - Variations in Metal Tolerance and Accumulation by Ornamental Plants Duranta repens and Duranta erecta Exposed to Arsenic and Nickel

Background/Question/Methods

The present study investigated the phytoremediation potential of two ornamental plants Duranta repens (Yellow Bush) and Duranta erecta (Golden duranta) to remove Arsenic and Nickel in contaminated soil over a period of 8 weeks. The survival and growth, bioconcentration factor (BCF), translocation factor (TF) and the activities of antioxidant enzymes (Catalase and Superoxide dismutase) in the tissues of the ornamental plants exposed to various soil As and Ni levels (0, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160 mg/kg) were carried out according to standard methods.

Results/Conclusions

The results showed that Golden duranta had high biomass compared to Yellow bush as revealed by the weight of the plants after the experiment. Yellow bush showed more tolerance index capacity for As and Ni than Golden duranta as it increases with concentrations except at the highest concentration. Both plants had their root length tolerance index above 50% for both As and Ni at all concentrations level. Golden duranta and Yellow bush had BCF and TF less than 1 and greater than 1 for As respectively. Both plants had BCF and TF greater than 1.0 for Ni. The activities of catalase and SOD in the tissues of both plants for As were higher than that of the control plant. The study concluded that while Yellow Bush is a hyperaccumulator and excellent for phytostabilization of As in As-contaminated soils, both plants are hyperaccumulators and excellent for phytoextraction of Ni in Ni-contaminated soils.