Greenhouse study on the phytoremediation potential of vetiver grass, Chrysopogon zizanioides L., in arsenic-contaminated soils

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2011

Department

Department of Biological Sciences

Abstract

The purpose of this greenhouse study was to assess the capacity of vetiver grass to accumulate arsenic from pesticide-contaminated soils of varying physico-chemical properties. Results indicate that vetiver is capable of tolerating moderate levels of arsenic up to 225 mg/kg. Plant growth and arsenic removal efficiency was strongly influenced by soil properties. Arsenic removal was highest (10.6%) in Millhopper soil contaminated with 45 mg/kg arsenic, which decreased to 4.5 and 0.6% at 225 and 450 mg/kg, respectively. High biomass, widespread root system and environmental tolerance make this plant an attractive choice for the remediation of soils contaminated with moderate levels of arsenic.

Publisher's Statement

© 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. Publisher’s version of record: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-010-0185-8

Publication Title

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology

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