Short communicationPotential of Arundo donax to treat chromium contamination

The ability of Arundo donax against chromium pollution was tested. A. donax plants were grown under greenhouse conditions in nutrient solution having Cr (0, 50, 100, 200, 400, 600, and 900 μg L−1) for three weeks. Shoots and roots dry matter production, growth parameters, plant physiological and morphological characters were measured. The maximum Cr content in roots was 206.33 μg g−1. Likewise, Cr concentration in stem was 262.6 μg g−1 at 900 μg L−1 supplied Cr. In case of leaves, the maximum Cr concentration was 206.33 μg g−1 at 900 μg L−1 supplied Cr. The IC50 values of antioxidants using ABTS and DPHH standards showed that both time and increasing Cr concentrations affected the production of antioxidants indicated by lower IC50 value on 21st day. A. donax may be used in remediation of Cr contaminated wastewaters.