Assessment of Phytoremediation Potential of Alyssum Maritimum in Remediation of Lead-Contaminated Soils

Background and Aim: Phytoremediation is a promising method for improving soils that can easily absorb heavy metals, resulting in decontamination of the soil. The objective of this study was to assess the phytoremediation potential of Alyssum maritimum in the remediation of lead-contaminated soil. Materials and Methods: A randomized complete block design was used with five levels of lead (Pb) concentration (as lead nitrate) and Alyssum maritimum with six treatments in the research greenhouse of Malayer University, Malayer, Iran.  After growth and flowering of the plant, lead concentration in its different organs was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. The bioaccumulation factor (BCF) and the translocation factor (TF) were used to determine the potential of plant species selected for removing heavy metals from the soil in the environment. Results: Analysis of the data showed that the highest accumulation of lead nitrate was in the leaf. It could be expected, then, that an increase in the concentration of Pb in the soil would result in the accumulation of Pb in the organs of Alyssum maritimum. Generally the degree of Pb accumulation in various plant organs followed the pattern: leaf > root > stem pattern. The BCF and TF indices of Alyssum maritimum species were greater than 1, which would indicate a high potential for transfer and accumulation of lead in the above-ground parts of the plant. Conclusion: The selected plant species has, based on defined criteria for a heavy metal hyperaccumulator plant and its bioaccumulation factor and translocation factor values, a high potential for remediation of lead-contaminated soil and can be included in the group of hyperaccumulator plants.