Pb detoxification in Equisetum diffusum

Current research highlights the use of aquatic macrophyte Equisetum diffusum (Himalayan horsetail) for lead detoxification. This plant species can grow in waste cathode ray tube (CRT) powder and absorbs its Pb. X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) analysis of plant ash shows that 68 mg/kg lead concentration in the untreated plant was improved to 7600 mg/kg in CRT powder after 90 days. The role of monosilicic and/or monoplumbic acid as reaction intermediates for Pb detoxification and associated bioaccumulation is proposed. Pb detoxification in E. diffusum is mainly rendering around the iso-electronic nature of Pb and Si and forms similar phytochelatin (PC) complexes with available family of peptide ligands. The study focuses on the underlying functions of silicon containing plants in metal detoxification.