Effect of Chelators and Substrates on Phytoremediation of Synthetic Leachate for Removal of Trace Elements

ABSTRACTThe present study deals with technique for improving phytoremediation of trace metals from synthetic leachate in the presence of recycled waste material (crushed brick and steel slag) as substrates. It is an economic and environment-friendly approach as compared to chelators. Chelators induce adverse effects on plant growth, which might affect the phytoextraction capability. This study was conducted to compare the removal of copper and zinc by Phragmites australis and Typha latifolia with chelators (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid ∼2.5 mmol, citric acid ∼2.5 mmol) and substrates (slag ∼2 kg, crushed brick ∼2 kg) for 21 days. Translocation of copper in T. latifolia and P. australis increased with increase in its applied concentration and this increase was higher in presence of slag as compared to crushed brick. In treatment systems with chelators, translocation decreased with increase in copper concentration. Principal component analysis revealed correlation between the removal of copper and zinc w...