INVESTIGATION OF ORGANIC AMENDMENTS ASSISTED PHYTOREMEDIATION POTENTIALS OF LEAD CONTAMINATED SOILS BY MUSTARD (Brassica napus)

Abstract

Phytoremediation technology is an eco-friendly technology. Because of its low cost, sustainability, ease of application, and less detrimental effects on the environment, phytoremediation is becoming more and more popular as a remediation method. It involves using plants to remove or stabilize heavy metals from the soil. This study evaluated the synergistic effect of organic amendments to enhance phytoextraction of heavy metal lead (Pb) from artificially polluted soil by Brassica napus. The objective of this study was to investigated how the altered soil chemical properties (soil pH, OM, cation exchange capacity, electrical conductivity, base cation Ca, Mg, N, P, k) due to application of various amendments influence on phytoremediation of Pb contaminated soil. The treatments were a) control with 200 mg Pb, b) Pb contaminated soil with compost (10%), c) Pb contaminated soil with ash (10%), d) Pb contaminated soil with biochar (10%), e) Pb contaminated soil with poultry litter (10%), f) Pb contaminated soil with co-compost (10%) (COMBI), and replicate three times in a completely randomized design. The compost and poultry litter amendment enhance the growth and survival of Brassica napus under Pb contaminated environment. Compost and poultry litter significantly increased the plant height of B. napus and significantly increased total amount of plant available phosphorous. Application of compost, ash, and co-compost biochar enhanced total amount of soil available nitrogen. The highest Pb uptake was found in compost, poultry litter and co-compost biochar application. The maximum activity of soil nutrient element supplies (base cation Ca, K, Na, Mg) was obtained in the application of compost, poultry litter and co-compost biochar. The application of compost, biochar, ash, poultry litter and co-compost biochar (COMBI) significantly increased soil pH. Compost and poultry litter amendments enhanced soil organic matter (OM). Compost, poultry litter and COMBI significantly increased soil cation exchange capacity (CEC). Therefore, the obtained result revealed that application of organic amendments (poultry litter > compost > co-compost biochar (COMBI) > biochar > ash) was the most advantageous choice for the treatment of Pb contaminated soil phytoremediation.