Exploring the Efficiency of Native Tree Species Grown at Mine Tailings for Phytoextraction of Lead and Iron

Four (4) prominently growing tropical tree species were screened for their tolerance to heavy metals and evaluated for their suitability for remediation, at a contaminated site. The partitioning of Iron (Fe) and Lead (Pb) between roots and above-ground aerial parts of the trees, bioconcentration factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF) were used to determine the remediation potential of the studied trees. Ficus racemosa recorded the highest BCF for both the metals, Fe and Pb. The maximum TF was recorded in T. arjuna for Fe and F. racemosa had the highest TF value for Pb. The recorded BCF and TF values suggested that these tropical tree species can be classified as efficient metal trappers for Fe and Pb. The Pb accumulation was much higher in all the four (4) tree species than the described limit for a Pb-hyperaccumulator (0.1%), revealing the hyperaccumulator potency of all the screened trees.