Bioaccumulation of Cadmium and Lead by Lycopersicum Esculentum (L.): Impact on Uptake of Nutritional Elements

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Harikishan, Uma | Kumar, Ashok

Affiliations: School of Chemical Sciences, Department of Chemistry, St. John's College, Agra

Note: [] Corresponding author. E-mail: uma_harikishan@yahoo.co.in

Abstract: Phytoextraction is an important technique used for the decontamination of areas polluted by lead and cadmium. Consequently, an understanding of the physiological responses to tolerance of tropical species subjected to increasing levels of contamination is fundamental before considering their use as phytoextractors in contaminated areas. The objective of this study was to assess the lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) uptake and the tolerance of Lycopersicum esculentum L. The outcome of this study corroborate that L. esculentum is a suitable candidate for the phytoremediation of Cd(II) and Pb(II) contaminated soils. Furthermore, the concentration of Cd and Pb determined in the dry root tissue indicates that L. esculentum could be considered as a potential Cd and Pb hyperaccumulator.

Keywords: Phytoremediation, heavy metals, nutrient uptake, soil

Journal: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 97-101, 2010