REMEDIATION OF ZINC CONTAMINATED SOIL USING Acalypha wilkesiana

A study was premeditated to evaluate the phytoextraction potential of Acalypha wilkesiana for zinc (Zn) remediation. Sets of pot experiment were conducted. Stems of Acalypha wilkesiana were planted in five kilograms of soil placed in each plastic pot having 0 ppm, 5 ppm, 10 ppm, 15 ppm, 20 ppm and 25 ppm of Zn respectively. The study was carried out for a period of 12 weeks under natural conditions. Physicochemical properties of the soil were determined using standard methods. The results revealed that pH, phosphorous and moisture contents increased while nitrogen and organic carbon contents decreased in polluted soil remediated with Acalypha wilkesiana when compared to the zinc free soil. Leaves, stems and roots of the plant were analyzed for Zn uptake after 12 weeks. The plant mopped up substantial concentrations of Zn in the stem (6.21 ppm) and leaves (8.23 ppm) compared to concentrations in the roots (6.08 ppm). The phytoextraction ability of the plants was assessed in terms of its metal bioconcentration factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF). It was observed that the levels of the Zn in the roots and shoots after 12 weeks showed that more bio-available pool of Zn was translocated from the root to the leaves and stem in that order. The results obtained suggests that the plant have phytoextraction capability and could be used in re-establishing soil polluted with Zn.