Assessing the phytoremediation potential of a flowering plant Zinnia angustifolia for arsenic contaminated soil

Abstract

Arsenic (As)-based chemicals, insecticides, herbicides, rodenticides and irrigation with As containing water have resulted in As contamination in farmland, lawns and residential areas. This study focused on phytoremediation potential of a seasonal flowering plant Zinnia angustifolia for As removal from contaminated soil. Plants were subjected to As stress (100 mg kg−1 soil) in field conditions for 60 days and their tolerance was evaluated through growth and antioxidant assays. Root tissue was found to accumulate more As (1085.42 µg g−1 dry weight (DW)) in comparison to shoot (279.28 µg g−1 DW) and flowers (228.67 µg g−1 DW) at 60 d. © 2018, CRC Press/Balkema. All rights reserved.