PHYTOREMEDIATION OF AGRICULTURAL SOILS POLLUTED WITH NICKEL AND CHROMIUM USING FLUTED PUMPKIN PLANT (Telfairia occidentalis)

Abstract

Phytoremediation is a new remediating technology which gives a great prospect for cleanup of many harmful wastes, including heavy metals on agricultural land. This research work aimed at evaluating the potential of fluted pumpkin plant (Telfairia occidentalis) for phytoremediation of nickel and chromium from soil. Soil sample collected at a depth of 20 cm were used for the experiment. The pH, organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content of the soil were determined. The experimental design for this study consist of 5 treatments, each of these treatment were divided into 3 replicates, each containing 4 kg of soil including soil without concentration of Ni and Cr to serve as control. Three (3) polythene bags, each contaminated with 1 g/dm3 and 3 g/dm3 concentration of Ni and Cr. Three (3) fresh fluted pumpkin seeds were planted on each of the soil sample at a depth of 5cm and the setup was monitored properly in crop production department nursery garden. Samples were taken for analysis at every 2 weeks interval for a period of 8 weeks. Results obtained at every 2 weeks interval showed reduction in the concentration of Ni and Cr in the soil. The analytical results of the plant assessment upon harvest confirmed an uptake and accumulation in the aerial parts and root of the plant. It can thus be concluded that fluted pumpkin plant is a good phytoplant having undistorted growth in the presence of Ni and Cr, and be used for remediating soils polluted Ni, Cr and their compounds. The implication is that fluted pumpkin meant for consumption should not be planted on soil rich in heavy metal to avoid uptake of heavy metals by man.