Phytoremediation of Heavy Metals (Pb, Cd) by Tamarix along the Temby (karon) River, Iran

Background & Aims of the Study: Heavy metals contaminate drinking water, air and soils. It is very harmful for humans and other live organisms. Phytoremediation is one of the direct bio-remediation methods for heavy metal removal from polluted water and soils. This method is accepted environmentally, economically and aesthetically. The purpose of this study was to assess Tamarix hispida capacity for heavy metals (lead and Cadmium) removal from Temby (Karon) river of Ahvaz, Iran. Materials and Methods: This study was performed in summer season. Water samples took from upstream (before municipal wastewater discharge point) and downstream (after municipal wastewater discharge point). Samples of Tamarix hispida tree leaf took from those grown in downstream (after municipal sewage discharge place). In this study, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) was used for analysis. Results: Results of this study showed that lead and cadmium mean in summer were 0.5 and 0.077 mg/l in upstream; and they were 0.66 and 0.12 in downstream, respectively. According to the result, absorption rate of lead and cadmium by Tamarix hispida was 0.03 and 0.013 mg/l, respectively. Conclusion: Results showed that Temby river water was polluted with Lead and Cadmium. Also,Tamarix hispida tree was effective for lead and cadmium removal. Lead was more uptake than Cadmium.