Soil Bioremediation of lead (Pb) polluted paddy field using Mendong (Fimbristylis globulosa), Rhizobium SpI3, compost, and inorganic fertilizer

Industrial developments cause an increase in lead (Pb) pollution in the paddy field because irrigation water is mixed with industrial liquid waste. This problem needs to be handled. Without proper treatment, lead can enter the human body either directly or indirectly through the food chain cycle, thus endangering human health. One method that can be used is bioremediation; a technology to restore the environment (paddy field) polluted by heavy metals using biological agents. The purpose of this research is to analyze the ability of Mendong plants (Fimbristyli globulosa) combined with inorganic fertilizers and chelators (Rhizobium spI3 and compost) in absorbing lead in the paddy field. The research was conducted in Jaten Sub-district, Karanganyar Regency in April-October 2016. Randomized block design experimental method completed with the factorial pattern was applied as the research method. There were three treatment factors, namely inorganic fertilizer, chelator, and plant with three replications. The results show that some soil characteristics such as soil pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), Organic Material (OM), and total microbes impact the availability of lead in the soil to be absorbed by plants. The highest uptake of lead occurred in the treatment of inorganic fertilizer + bacteria + Mendong plants (P1B1T1) amounting to 52.01 mg/kg at the root and 38.6 mg/kg in the shoot section. The Mendong plants combined with Rhizobium spI3 has the potential to be an alternative bioremediation technology on lead-polluted paddy field soils.