Phytoremediation potential of three plant grown in monoculture and intercropping with date palm in contaminated soil

ABSTRACT: High levels of heavy metals in soil can be phytotoxic. Poor plant growth and soil cover caused by metal toxicity can lead to metal mobilization in runoff water and subsequent deposition into nearby bodies of water. In such conditions goal of remediation is to reclaim the site by establishing a vegetative cover to minimize soil erosion and pollution spread. Some of plants extract large concentrations of heavy metals into their roots, translocation the heavy metals to surface biomass. The aim of this study was to evaluate the removal of heavy metals viz; Cd, Cu, Pb, and Mn by root and shoot of different plants in monoculture and diculture. Alfalfa, sunflower and maize were sowed with or without date palm for the natural heavy metals hyper accumulation. Total concentrations of heavy metals in the soils, root and shoot were determined. The results showed copper and manganese in root and shoot did not change statistically differences. Sunflower had more transport pb from root to shoot than alfalfa and maize. Alfalfa with or without date palm had potential to accumulate Cd. All the treatments showed very high BCF values for Cu and Mn which was indicating these treatments retains metals in their roots and limit metal mobility from roots to shoots.