Rhizoremediation potential of spontaneously grown Typha latifolia on fly ash basins: Study from the field

Lesson of the phytoremediation from the field research is a current need. In this regard, we took a field study on the phytoremediation of fly ash (FA) basins. Increasing disposal area of FA is an environmental concern and poses a threat to various ecosystems worldwide. Luxuriant and spontaneous growth of Typha latifolia on FA basin revealed its toxitolerant characteristics and colonizer nature. The metal accumulation of Zn, Mn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Cr and Ni ranged from 72 to 133, 80 to 183, 8 to 43, 3 to 16, 2 to 8, 4 to 37 and 10 to 36 μg g−1in root, rhizome and middle part of leaf in T. latifolia plant grown under flooded and non-flooded conditions of FA basin, respectively. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) calculated under both flooded and non-flooded conditions for Zn, Mn and Ni in all plant parts were found to be greater than one. The BCF value for Cr was greater than one in root and rhizome parts of the plant, whereas BCF value for Pb was higher than one only in root part. This clearly shows the metal accumulation potential of T. latifolia. The translocation factors (TF) for all the metals were lower than one except for Mn metal under both the conditions. These field results revealed that T. latifolia is a suitable candidate for the rhizoremediation of heavy metals in FA basin because of its lower TF values than one. Being cosmopolitan and perennial nature it may be used for the rhizoremediation of FA basins worldwide.