Geranium cultivation: Potential use for arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) removal from contaminated soils

Obeso-Obando A.; Vejarano R. · Proceedings of the LACCEI international Multi-conference for Engineering, Education and Technology (2020) · DOI: 10.18687/laccei2020.1.1.144

Resumen

Phytoremediation refers to the use of plants to absorb, accumulate, stabilize or reduce pollutants from contaminated soils, including some heavy metals. The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential of geranium (Pelargonium zonale) to remove metals, such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and copper (Cu), from contaminated soils. For this, geranium plants cultivation was carried out in a system in ex situ conditions over a 6-week treatment period, in soil samples extracted from El Milagro dump, of the city of Trujillo (Peru). Concentrations of As, Cd and Cu decreased in soil samples through the cultivation period, showing a significant tolerance of the geranium plants towards these metals, with a decrease of As and Cd, up to 74% and 79%, respectively, with respect to the initial concentration, whereas for Cu decreased of up to 55%. The results suggest the removal potential of As, Cd, and Cu by geranium cultivation, as an interesting alternative for the recovery of contaminated soils with this kind of metals.

Instituciones: Universidad Privada del Norte