Chelate assisted Phytoremediation of Pb, Cd and B by sunflower, maize and canola

Phytoremediation is a relatively recent technology with research conducted mostly during the last twenty years. Research in this field is shifted towards the selection of more effective plant species and chelating agents to enhance element uptake. In this study, EDTA enhanced phytoremediation performance of Pb, Cd and B from soil by sunflower, maize and canola crops was studied. The transfer processes of elements from root to stem and leaves were also discussed. Although canola has the maximum accumulation capacity, all crops showed a high uptake performance. Addition of chelate to the soil considerably increased Cd and Pb uptake till 5 mmol chelate dosages and then it started to decrease. This trend was described by second order polynomial equation (y=ax²+bx+c). Maximum and minimum accumulated elements were B and Pb, respectively. All crops had an efficient transfer of the elements from roots to top organs and they are evaluated as good collectors according to Baker Theory. Although, accumulation of high heavy metal concentration by edible plants, such as maize and sunflower, is a major risk for public health, the results are positive from a phytoremediation perspective.