Phytoremediation of stable Cs from solutions by Calendula alata, Amaranthus chlorostachys and Chenopodium album

Uptake rate of 133Cs, at three different concentrations of CsCl, by Calendula alata, Amaranthus chlorostachys and Chenopodium album plants grown outdoors was studied. These plants grow abundantly in semi-arid regions and their varieties exist in many parts of the world. When exposed to lowest Cs concentration 68 percent Cs was remediated by Chenopodium album.133Cs accumulation in shoots of Amaranthus chlorostachys reached its highest value of 2146.2 mg kg−1 at a 133Cs supply level of 3.95 mg l−1 of feed solution. The highest concentration ratio value was 4.89 for Amaranthus chlorostachys, whereas for the other tests it ranged from 0.74 to 3.33. Furthermore uptake of 133Cs by all three species increased with increasing metal concentrations. The results also indicated that hydroponically grown Calendula alata, Amaranthus chlorostachys and Chenopodium album could be used as potential candidate plants for phytoremediation of solutions contaminated with Cs.

► Phytoremediation of solutions contaminated with cesium.
► Calendula alata, Chenopodium album, Amaranthus chlorostachys grown hydroponically.
► The percentage uptake of cesium is highest for Chenopodium album.
► Metal accumulation in shoots is always significantly higher than those in roots.