Phytoremediation of urban contaminated soils using two ornamental plants

Abstract

The phytoremediation potential of ornamental plants Coleus sp. and Petunia sp. towards heavy metals and some trace elements was preliminary assessed in a short-term laboratory experiment. Plants were planted into soil with high content of V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, As, Br, Cs, Zr, and Th. The content of elements in soils and plants was determined using neutron activation analysis. After 30 day—experiment, the content of Cr, Fe, Co, As, Cs, and Th in the soils decreased by 11–29%. Petunia sp. was effective in translocation of Cr, Mn, Fe, Br, with translocation factors ranging from 1.6 to 10, and Coleus sp.—in translocation of Mn and Br, with translocation factors in the range of 1.4–6.2. The biochemical changes in the plant leaves under action of heavy metals were assessed. Phytoremediation potential of Coleus sp. and Petunia sp. should be investigated in a long-term experiment.