| Previous studies indicate that fast growing plants with high biomass could be employed for the remediation of lead (Pb) contaminated sites. Phytoextraction of Pb in a contaminated substrate was evaluated. To evaluate a possible phytotoxicity; physiological indicators such as chlorophyll content and electrolyte leakage were studied. Also, the growth, tolerance index and translocation index of Cucurbita moschata, Capsicum chinense and Cajanus cajan were evaluated. Finally, the effect of the chelating agent (EDTA) on Pb availability and potential translocation was examined. The metal content in the substrate was analyzed using a Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (F-AAS) while the Pb content in vegetal tissues (root, stem, leaf and fruit) was estimated using a Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (GF-AAS). To the eighth week of exposure, the highest absorption of lead was observed in the treatment of 60 mg/kg of Pb with 200 mg/kg of EDTA. Root tissue samples of C. moschata and C. cajan leaves samples accumulated 24.82 and 28.94 mg of Pb/kg of dry weight, respectively. The chlorophyll content, electrolyte leakage, length of roots and stems, and biomass content were unaffected by the exposure to lead or EDTA. |
