International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences

authors
Akshaya Prakash C, Delse P Sebastian, Nayana KM, Satheesh George

abstract
Lead and Zinc phytoaccumulation potential of eight ornamental plants Begonia sarmentacea Brilmayer, Bidens sulphurea Sch. Bip., Episcia cupreata Hanst., Impatiens walleriana Hook.f., Kalanchoe blossfeldiana Poelln, Tagetes erecta L., Tradescantia spathacea Sw. and Turnera subulata Sm. were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. It was found that, among the selected plants Begonia sarmentacea Brilmayer accumulated the highest amount of Lead and Episcia cupreata Hanst. accumulated the highest amount of Zinc. Concentration of Lead in acid dissolved dry plant material of Begonia sarmentacea was 16.61mg/kg and that of Zinc in Episcia cupreata was 36.72mg/kg. The study revealed that B.sarmentacea and E.cupreata were capable of removing the heavy metal contaminants, Lead and Zinc respectively from polluted soil, suggesting their potential for the reclamation of lands contaminated with these heavy metals.