The Potential of Native Plants for Phytoextraction in Phytoremediation of Lead and Nickel from the Soil of Mohammadabad Qazvin Landfill

Abstract

Background: Heavy metals are dangerous environmental pollutants that cause health hazards to humans, plants, and other living organisms by entering the food chain. Objectives: This research was carried out around Mohammadabad Qazvin landfill with the aim of measuring the concentration of lead and nickel metals in three plant species, including Artemisia sieberi, Salsola orientalis, and Halimocnemis pilifera, as well as the soil of the region. Methods: In order to study three plots of 50 × 50 meters with distances of 500 meters from each other in the direction of the prevailing wind in the area, sampling of soil, roots, and aerial organs of plant species was performed. After preparing the samples, the concentrations of lead and nickel metals were measured using an atomic absorption spectrometer. Results: The results showed that the soil of the three plots did not differ significantly in terms of the concentrations of lead and nickel. Also, there was no significant difference between the aerial organs and roots of the studied species in terms of the concentration of these elements. This difference was statistically significant only in H. pilifera in terms of nickel concentration at the level of 5%. Conclusions: Considering the factors of accumulation and transportation of lead and nickel metals in the studied plants, it can be suggested that H. pilifera and A. sieberi species are suitable for remediation of lead metal from contaminated soils, while none of these species are suitable for nickel phytoremediation.