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Overview
A metal with a specific gravity greater than about 5.0, especially one
that is poisonous, such as lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), chromium (Cr), cadmium
(Cd),…
They can damage living things at low concentrations and tend to
accumulate in the food chain
2. Sources of heavy metal in the environment
There are some main sources of heavy metal in the environment
Plants, so called hyperaccumulators are usually used, they take up 100 times the
concentration of metals over other plants.
Heavy metals are removed from soil by moving up into plant roots, stems, and leaves.
The plant is then harvested and disposed of and the site replanted until heavy metals
in the soil is lowered to acceptable levels.
How can heavy metals move into the cell?
Heavy metal accumulation by Indian Mustard Brassica juncea
Brassica juncea: After
havested, average concentration of
lead from all the crops exceeded
1,000ppm
Haumaniastrum
Co 10,200 Brooks (1977)
robertii
Astragalus racemosus Se 14,900 Beath et al. (1937)
Approximately 400 plant species from at least 45 plant families have been
reported to hyperaccumulate metals.
Phytoremediation using Cash Crops Phytoremediation using Poplars
Wild mustard plant for metals phytoextraction
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Additional Considerations
Advantages Disadvantages
3. Dang Thi An et. al., Evaluation of the water quality of the Nhue-To Lich river
system; utilization of biological indices and bioaccumulation.
4. Mitch M. Lasat: The Use of Plants for the Removal of Toxic Metals from
Contaminated Soil
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