Zinc (Zn) mitigates copper (Cu) toxicity and retrieves yield and quality of lettuce irrigated with Cu and Zn-contaminated simulated wastewater.

Owing to a competitive interaction, zinc (Zn) contained in highly Cu-contained wastewater was hypothesized to mitigate Cu toxicity-induced negative effects on the growth and quality of lettuce. Thus, growth, metal accumulation and biochemical responses of lettuce irrigated with simulated wastewater (SW, control), Cu-contaminated SW (CuSW, 20 mg Cu L), Zn-contaminated SW (ZnSW, 100 mg Zn L) and both Cu- and Zn-contaminated SW (CuZnSW, 20 mg Cu and 100 mg Zn L) were evaluated. Results revealed that irrigation with CuSW negatively affected growth (dry matters, root length and plant height) and quality (low mineral concentrations) of lettuce, which were associated with higher Cu uptake.

Comparing chromium phyto-assessment in Brachiaria mutica and Leptochloa fusca growing on chromium polluted soil.

Industrial discharge of chromium (Cr) into environment puts serious threat on living beings due to its potent toxicity. Phytostabilization, a type of in-situ phytoremediation is aimed to immobilize and stabilize the toxic elements in soil using root system of metal resistant potential plants. To evaluate the phytostabilization potential of two grass species Brachiaria mutica and Leptochloa fusca, a pot study was conducted using soil spiked with different concentrations of Cr (control, 25, 50 and 100 mg kg).