Effect of Humic Acid Functionalized Bentonite on Heavy Metal Uptake by Spinach (Spinacia oleracea cv. All Green) Grown on Metal Contaminated Soil

A pot culture study was conducted to investigate the impact of applying humic acid functionalized bentonite (HA-B) on uptake heavy metals by spinach. When soil amended with 7.5 g kg-1 intercalated bentonite, there a significant improvement in plant growth. Specifically, growth increased 180.7%, 212%, and 231% during first, second, third cuttings, respectively. Additionally, concentration spinach decreased substantially, reductions 62.8, 69.7, 77.7% for Cd 34.7%, 45.2%, 64.7% Ni respectively, when applied. Furthermore, addition at rate significantly lowered bioconcentration factor (BCF) metals. The BCF 36.3%, 40%, 55.2% 15.2%, 13%, 34.7% indicating reduced these plants. Moreover, non-cancer health risk through hazard quotient (HQ) computation showed that due consumption application bentonite.