Phytoremediation of hexavalent chromium polluted soil using Pterocarpus indicus and Jatropha curcas L.

Abstract: This paper reports an assessment of hexavalent chromium removal from soil with and without compost amendment by Pterocarpus indicus and Jatropha curcas. Greenhouse experiment was conducted and consisted of range finding test and definitive test for various concentrations of hexavalent chromium. Result of range finding test showed that both plants were able to remediate hexavalent chromium polluted soil of less 1 than 90 mg Kg. At a given concentration of hexavalent chromium and to achieve 50 % removal, the removal half time (t-50) of Jatropha was about twice shorter than Pterocarpus. Effect concentration fifty (EC-50) of hexavalent chromium for plant dry matter (PDM) Jatropha was higher than for PDM Pterocarpus. No significant effect was found for aerial plant parts of Jatropha. Compost amendment was preferable when Jatropha was planted in hexavalent chromium polluted soil because Jatropha could remediate higher concentration than Pterocarpus. These suggested that Jatropha was more effective than Pterocarpus to remediate hexavalent chromium polluted soil.