Phytoremediation Potential of Some Indigenous Herbaceous Plant Species Growing on Metalliferous Mining Sites At Nahuta, Bauchi State, Nigeria
Journal Title: IOSR Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology (IOSR-JESTFT) - Year 2018, Vol 12, Issue 4
Abstract
Heavy metals constitutes a serious threats because unlike most organic pollutants they are not easily degraded through natural process and therefore remain in the environment for a very long time. Soil contamination resulting from mining activities affects surrounding flora and fauna and presents a large cleanup challenge to the mining industry. One alternative biological approach to deal with this problem is phytoremediation – which involves the extraction or inactivation of these metals in soils by plants. Compared to other technologies, phytoremediation is less expensive and is particularly suitable for treatment of large volumes of soil in abandoned mining site. The extent of soil contamination by heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd) and potentials of herbaceous plant species to remediate the soil at Nahuta spoiled mining site in Bauchi State, Nigeria was assessed. Herbaceous plants and their associated soils were collected from three sites namely Jijigari, Jijidaba and Gamagari. There were generally higher concentrations of the heavy metals in plants than in soils which indicate the ability of the plants to tolerate and accumulate these metals. Considering the definition of a hyperaccumulator – plants that accumulate >1000mg kg−1 of Cu, Co, Cr, Ni or Pb, or >10,000mg kg−1 of Mn or Zn, none of the plants investigated attained the status of hyperaccumulator. However considering their high metals Bioconcentration Factor (BCF) and Enrichment Factor (EF), Cenchrus biflorus, Cyperus rotundus and Cynodon dactylon, are potential phytostabilizers. It may be concluded that the indigenous herbaceous plant species growing on soils of the spoiled mining sites at Nahuta have phytoremediation potentials.
Authors and Affiliations
*Sabo, A. 1 ladan, M. 2
Keywords
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