Phytoremediation method and Brassica family: Removal of chromium, cadmium and lead accumulation with broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica)

Phytoremediation is the most cost effective and applicable technique to clean contaminated soils. The study was carried out in controlled conditions. Cadmium was applied as only cadmium (30 mgkg−1), and together with a chelator as Cd (30 mgkg−1) + EDTA, in triplicates. Chromium was applied as only chromium (10 mg/kg−1), and together with a chelator as Cr (10 mgkg−1) + EDTA. Similarly, lead was applied as only lead (100 mgkg−1), and together with a chelator as Pb (100 mgkg−1) + EDTA. The highest root and shoot dry weights were detected in lead and chromium applied pots. The highest lead, cadmium and chromium concentrations in the shoot of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var.italica) were found to be 14.0 mgkg−1, 6.67 mg kg-1and, 5.17 mg kg−1, respectively, in the chelated applications. The order of accumulation in the root was Cr > Pb > Cd. Broccoli was shown to be effective in phytoextraction of Pb Chromium was especially accumulated in the roots of broccoli which indicated that this plant was successful for phytostabilization of Cr. Broccoli can be employed for both phytostabilization and phytoextraction of cadmium. The results revealed that broccoli played a role in the remediation of lead, chromium and cadmium heavy metals as a hyper accumulator plant.