Original Articles: 2015 Vol: 7 Issue: 12
Assessment of the potential of Prosopis cineraria seedlings in uptake of lead and zinc
Abstract
In order to investigate the tolerance and impacts of Pb and Zn absorption on P. cineraria 4-month-old seedlings were exposed to Pb(NO3)2 (in five different concentrations: 0, 50, 250, 500 and 1000 (mg/ L) and ZnSO4 (in 4 different concentrations: 0, 50, 250 and 500 (mg/L) for 45 days. Then, the samples were harvested and some morphological attributes and bioaccumulations of Pb2+ and Zn2+in different plant tissues were assessed. Results for Pb showed that some attributes were affected by Pb. Morphological symptoms of Pb effects on the leaf were appeared with thin, yellow and brown spots on the leaf in high concentration (1000 mg/L) and more than 70% of total accumulated Pb (2518 mg/kg) were accumulated root tissues. Results for zinc indicated that most of attributes were affected by Zn. Morphological symptoms of Zn effects were observed with decreasing in root diameter, height and biomass in high concentration (500 mg/L) and almost 80% of Zn (3046/2mg/kg) was accumulated in root tissues. With respect to bioaccumulation factor, transfer factor and a strong root system, A. victoriae can be suggested as Pb and Zn stabilizing and according amount of accumulated Pb in above ground parts in high concentration (1000 mg/L) can be considered as Pb hyperaccumulators species. Therefore, A. victoriae can be used as a suitable species for remediation of Pb and Zn contaminated areas after complementary studies.