Greenhouse Study of Cadmium and Lead phytoextraction by five Pelargonium spices

Due to the vast industrial waste materials and sewages from a lot of industrial factories which have caused contamination of soils, decontamination of environment especially soil has become a global concern. The use of plants to decontaminate soils, known as phytoremediation can offer an environment –friendly solution to soil remediation. The aims of this research were to study of five Pelargonium spices for cleaning up contaminated soil which was mixed by remaining and separating after infusion black and green tea leaves (8:1) and their potential ability of to phytoextract different metals (Nickel, Chrome, Lead and Cadmium). Results indicated that the rate of heavy metals uptake by this plant is significantly affected by the spice of plant (p < 0.01). Translocation factor in all conditions were higher than one which indicates that metal concentrations in shoots were higher than roots and the plant is suitable for phytoremediation . Pelargonium domesticum in pH 6.5 in the contaminated soil shows higher transfer factor (TFS) for cr, while Pelargonium hortorum , peltatum and citrosum shows the best TFS for Pb ,Cd and Ni respectively. The evidence of this study showed that adding tea leaves in the contaminated soil increase metal transfer factors and potential ability of phytoextraction.