Abstract

Phytoremediation of Lead Contaminated Soil by using Sorghum Bicolor

Author(s): Gandhi N, Sirisha D and Smita Asthana

Heavy metal pollution in the soils is increasing due to the industrialization, urbanization and transportation. Lead pollution in the urban areas is increased due to increased number of vehicles on the roads. The heavy metal lead is a non-biodegradable and easily enters into the food chain. From the food chain, they accumulate into human bodies causing many health abnormalities. The present study deals with phytoremediation of soil by Sorghum bicolor (jowar) seeds. The ability of plants to extract the metals from the soil and ability of plant to move the metals to aerial parts of plant are expressed as Bioaccumulation factor ((BCF) and translocation factor (TF) respectively. The percentage removal of Sorghum bicolor plants are given in the study. The physicochemical characteristic of soils is evaluated before and after phytoremediation. Present study revealed that Sorghum bicolor is a phytoextractor and it is suitable phytoextraction process.