Potential of Acalypha wilkesiana in the Phytoremediation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons from Landfill Soil

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons make up a substantial portion of organic contamination in landfill soil. Environmental pollution caused by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is of great concern because hydrocarbons are toxic to all forms of life. The research work aimed at assessing the potential of Acalypha wilkesiana plant in the phytoremediation of PAHs from landfill soil. Primarily, the research focused on identification of pollutants in the soil and plant parts. Results showed that PAHs contamination in the landfill soil is low. A. wilkesiana was planted on landfill soil and harvested after 2, 4 and 6 months. A set of A. wilkesiana were planted on uncontaminated soil. The results indicate that A. wilkesiana, when cultivated in landfill soil, exhibited a slight reduction in stem diameter when compared to the control group of plants. But the root length and stem height were lower than that of the control. The dry biomass weight of the root and leaf of exposed plant were found higher compared to the control plant. It was noticed that higher accumulation occurred of Benzo [g.h.i] perylene at 2,4- and 6-months harvesting periods with concentrations of 5.15, 23.25 and 38.54 mg/kg, respectively. Anthracene was translocated to the leaves with concentrations 9.77, 16.35 and 27.16 mg/kg, at 2-, 4- and 6-months harvesting period, respectively. The analysis of A. wilkesiana parts confirmed that PAHs were accumulated and translocated and was an evident that the plant was able to survive on the landfill soil.