Green Global
Foundation   Journal
...an emerging window for scientific research and publication across the globe

ASSESSMENT OF ARSENIC ACCUMULATION EFFICIENCY BY SELECTED NATURALLY GROWN WEEDS (Pages : 24 - 31)

A pot experiment was conducted at the Bangladesh Agricultural University on the year 2003 for studying the effect of different levels of added arsenic on growth of and arsenic accumulation by nine naturally grown weeds for the possible development of phytoremediation technology. The experiment comprised seven arsenic doses viz. 0, 10, 20, 30, 50. 70 and 100 ppm as added as NaAsO2 in solution. Out of nine selected weed species, Water cress (Enhydra fluctuans) absorbed highest amount (42.76 µg pot -1 of arsenic followed by Joina (Fimbristylis miliacea) (36.73 µg pot - 1 ), Barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli) (36.04 µg pot -1 ) and Malancha (Alternanthera philoxeroides) (29.80 µg pot -1 ). Arsenic absorption was in the order of root > shoot. Joina accumulated higher amount of arsenic in root (32.37 ppm) than in shoot (1.80 ppm). Barnyard grass absorbed 30.25 ppm As in root and 1.90 ppm As in shoot. This sequence of As absorption would presumably naturally safeguard our domestic herbivorous animals as well as human from As- poisoning. Water cress was the best arsenic accumulator. But considering the intensity of infestation rate in rice field, Joina and Barn yard grass are more appropriate for mitigating arsenic contaminated rice fields. This two plant species may be proposed for detoxification of arsenic contaminated soil. On the other hand, Water cress and Malancha may be proposed for the remediation of arsenic from contaminated stagnant water. Download