Heavy metal enrichment and remediation potential of <i>Jatropha curcas</i> Linn seedlings in dumpsite contaminated soil

Abstract

Heavy metals contamination in water, soil, and plants is a frightening portent around the globe and their bio- amplification through the food chain can cause dangerous health hazards. This study assessed the ability of Jatropha curcas seedlings to uptake and distributes heavy metals totheir tissue parts from dumpsite soil. Heavy metals concentration in dumpsite soils before plantings were Cu (48.01 – 356.71), Zn (39.99 – 437.88), Pb (28.42 – 260.48), Cd (0.69 – 9.75), Co (16.89 – 27.22) and Cr (20.01 – 30.11) while their concentration after planting were Cu (7.01 - 221.22), Zn (6.22- 301.99), Pb (10.26 – 225.98), Cd (0.48 – 4.01), Co (7.09 – 14.61) and Cr (9.56 – 15.89) in mg/kg. Concentration of heavy metal (mg//kg) in roots were Cu (12.99 - 28.99), Zn (11.97 – 30.22), Pb (9.51 – 17.31). Cd (0.19 - 0.99), Co (6.01 – 8.56) and Cr (8.22 – 9.56) and shoots wereCu (25.22- 46.21), Zn (26.09 – 48.01), Pb (11.46 – 17.31), Cd (0.25 – 1.23). Co (9.22 – 12.98) and Cr (10.98 – 14. 01) showed the uptake and enrichment level of heavy metals in the plants. Enrichment and distribution factors were 0.10 to 1.92 and 1.21 to 2.17 respectively. Reduction in the concentration of heavy metals after planting indicated their enrichment in the plant tissues. Medium to high values of enrichment and distribution factors indicated ability of Jatropha carcass seedlings to uptake heavy metals from the soil and distributes them into its parts. This study has further proven the potency of Jatropha curcas seedlings as phytoextractor plants.

Keywords: Contamination, enrichment, heavy metals, soil