Phytoextraction Potential of Sesbania grandiflora L. (Katurai) in Lead Contaminated Soil: Biological Method to Decontaminate Soil from Polluted Rivers

Abstract

The study determines the phytoextraction of Sesbania grandiflora L. or commonly known as Katurai in lead contaminated soil. The lead contaminated soil was collected from barangays Tabing-Ilog and Patubig in Marilao, Bulacan last October 2010. The soil from both sites was air-dried initially and treated with ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) at a concentration of 3mmol/kg. After the treatment, the katurai seedlings were placed on the pots filled with EDTA treated soil. The soil samples were analysed for lead content after one month and two months of phytoextarction. The results of the lead content analysis of the soil samples show that the soil from Tabing-Ilog initially had a lead content of 165 mg/kg of soil and this was reduced to 120 mg/kg after a month and further reduced to 77.6 mg/kg after 2 months of phytoextraction. The sample from Patubig initially had a lead content of 33.7 mg/kg and was reduced to 25.03 mg/kg after a month and reduced further to 17.77 mg/kg after 2 months of phytoextraction. The lead content of the katurai samples were also determined. The seedlings from Tabing Ilog accumulated an average lead concentration of 83 mg/kg while those from Patubig had an average concentration of 11.4 mg/kg. The study showed that katurai, scientifically known as Sesbania grandiflora L. has phytoextraction potential that decreases the amount of lead from contaminated soils.

Keywords: Phytoextraction, Katurai, Lead content, Soil, EDTA