Heavy metals are known to have adverse effect on ecosystem and human health when ingested beyondtolerant limit as such phytoremediation utilizes plants to remediate metal polluted areas. The objectives of this study is to evaluate the potentials of sunflower in phytoremediation of chromium and lead from contaminated soil and to examine the rate of accumulation in roots, stems and leaves of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Results showed that the plant has high concentration of Pb (1.77 mg/kg) at 10 and 12 (WAP) and there was no significant difference in the absorption rate throughoutthe experimental period, while at 2 WAP low concentration of Pb (1.52 mg/kg) was observed. The accumulation rate in the plant parts shows significant difference (p<0.05) at 2 and 6 WAP. The roots recorded the highest accumulation rate of both Pb and Cr 2.04 mg/kg and 1.60 mg/kg respectively, while the leaves recorded the least values 1.12 mg/kg and 0.09 mg/kg of Pb and Cr respectively. From results obtained heavy metal accumulation in sunflower was observed to be in the form leaves<stems<roots. Finally, sunflower has demonstrated to be a good absorber of Pb and Cr. Hence, it can be used in the phytoremediation of heavy metal contaminated soils.
Abstract. Indiscriminate discharge of industrial effluent particularly pharmaceutical effluent on agricultural soils poses serious health risk to plants, animals and ultimately humans. This study was carried out to predict the mobility of two of the most lethal soil pollutants (Cadmium and Lead). As such, the concentrations of Cadmium and Lead in soil at the initial point of effluent disposal and at subsequent points 4m, 8m, 12m, 16m and 20m away from the point source were determined. A simplified version of transport equation was used to simulate the mobility of Cadmium and Lead in the soil using polymath professional version 6.1. The simulated result showed a good level of agreement with the experimental data with correlation coefficients of 0.92 and 0.96 for Pb and 0.89 and 0.97 for Cd mobility respectively. Thus the model can be considered as a good representation of the phenomenon of mobility of heavy metals in the soil.
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