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Phytoremediation Potential of Some Naturally Grown Weeds for Arsenic Contaminated Soils of Bangladesh

R Sultana
Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymcnsingh

M W Zaman
Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymcnsingh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

With the aim of verifying a phytoremediation option for the farmers of arsenic affected areas of Bangladesh, a study was undertaken in the field laboratory of Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh with eight weed species commonly grown in Bangladesh. The weeds are barnyard grass, Yellow nut sedge, 'joina', 'chesra', 'topapana '. Water taro, Water cress and 'malancha'. Initially the soil was treated With seven As levels viz. 0, 10, 20, 30, 50, 70 and 100 mg/kg arsenic from sodium arsenite (NaAs0₂) and used for phytoremediation study by the weeds. The soils after two steps of phytoremediation stud y were used for the present experiment. In all the weeds, the concentration of arsenic increased stgnificantly with increasing soil arsenic levels. On the other hand , the biomass of all weeds gradually decreased with increased soil As level. Among the weeds, the highest As concentration was found in the root of barnyard grass (Echinvchloa crusgalli) (53.1 mg/kg) when soil arsenic concentration was 6.8 mg/kg. In all the weeds , the concentration of arsenic was found much higher in root than in shoot. The highest recovery of arsenic (21 1.97 g/pot) was found in water taro (Monochoria hastata) followed by barnyard grass (E. crusgalfi) (125.40 g/pot) and water cress (Enhydra jluctucms) (110.10 ).lg/pot). The reason of highest As absorption by water taro might be due to its highest biomass production. Constdering the present findings, it could be tentatively said that, among the weeds under study, barnyard grass and water taro have the potentiality to remedy As from contaminated soils.

Keywords: Arsenic, Pytoremediation, Biomass, Weed.

Location: Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymcnsingh

Start Date: 00-02-2004

End Date: 00-04-2005

Program Area: Risk Management in Agriculture

Non-commodity: Performance

Objectives:

To find out potential weeds for the remediation of arsenic contaminated soils and the assessment of arsenic accumulating pattern in the weeds.

Methodology:

The present phytoremediation study was the last step of an on going research program. In the initial study, the soil was collected from Vabokhali Union , Sadar Upazilla, Mymensingh , Bangladesh , which is known as arsenic free area. The soil was collected from 0-15 em soil depth and 5 kg air-dried soil was put into each pot. In the initial phytoremediation study, there were seven treatments of arsenic viz 0, I 0, 30, 50, 70 and 100 mg/kg Arsenic (Soil basis) from NaAs0₂ (Na-Arsenite). After a series of phytoremediation study, the residual soil arsenic content s were considered as treatments for the present study. In the present study eight weed species were used. These weeds were chosen on the basis of the work 'Identification of As hyperaccumulating plant s' (Zaman et al ., 2005), where IS weeds were selected as potential for arsenic remediation out of 65 weed species collected from different As affected areas of Bangladesh .

Source of Information: Ann. Bangladesh Agric. (2008) 12(2): 97- 105

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1. Government

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The weed species used in the stud y effectively reduced the As concentration from As added soil. Among the weeds under stud y, the highest arsenic concentration was found in the root of barnyard grass. The highest uptake of As was found by water taro (M. hastata) followed by barnyard grass (E. crusgalli) and water cress (E.fluctuans) at highest soil As level. ln all cases, the accumulation of As was higher in root than in shoot. However the total uptake of As was increased with the increase of soil As in case of all the weeds. Considering the As accumulation capacity and the nature of infestation in the rice field, it could be said that , barnyard grass and water taro have the potentiality to remedy As contaminated field . Watercress could be used for the remediation of' A s contaminated shallow surface water.

Knowledge Management: Journal