Biochemical and Heavy Metal Analysis of selected Plant Species collected from Solid Waste Dumping Site, Rawalpindi

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the degree of heavy metal contamination and impact of open solid waste dumping site, Rawalpindi on heavy metal contents of surface soils and wild medicinally important plants. Antioxidant enzymes such as Peroxidase (POD), Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT) were used as biomonitor of heavy metal contamination. Heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Ni, Cr, Mn, Co, Pb, Zn, Cd, Na, K, Ca, Mg ) in soil and plant samples from solid waste dumping and control sites were analyzed by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Varian FAAS-240). Heavy metal concentrations in solid waste soils were significantly higher as compared to control sites. The heavy metals in soil from dumping site were in the order Co< Cd <Mn< Ni < Cr < Cu < Pb < Zn<Fe. Mean concentrations of Cd (4.7 mg/kg) and Ni (56.5 mg/kg) in soils from solid waste dumping sites exceeded permissible limits (50 mg/kg for Ni and 3.0 for Cd). Cu concentration was highest in M. coromandelianum (23.55 mg/kg) and was above the permissible limits of 20 mg/kg. Relatively higher concentration of Ni in T. officinale (34.58 mg/kg), Cr in C. album (46.85 mg/kg), Zn in P. hysterophorus (24.73 mg/kg) and Pb in C. sativa leaves collected from dumping sites. The enzymatic activities of POD, CAT, SOD and carotenoid contents, chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll (a+b) showed significant increase in plants collected from dumping sites. T. officinale showed greater BCF value in roots than leaves for Pb, Cr, Co, Cd, Cu and Fe indicating its suitability for phytostabilization. Higher TF (root to shoot) values of P. hysterophorus (1.52, 1.92, 1.58), M. coromandelianum (1.24, 2.13, 1.08) and C. sativa (1.03, 2.01, 1.14) for Pb, Cu and Zn at dumping sites highlighted its potential for phytoextraction.

The study was conducted to assess the degree of heavy metal contamination and impact of open solid waste dumping site, Rawalpindi on heavy metal contents of surface soils and wild medicinally important plants. Antioxidant enzymes such as Peroxidase (POD), Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT) were used as biomonitor of heavy metal contamination. Heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Ni, Cr, Mn, Co, Pb, Zn, Cd, Na, K, Ca, Mg ) in soil and plant samples from solid waste dumping and control sites were analyzed by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Varian FAAS-240). Heavy metal concentrations in solid waste soils were significantly higher as compared to control sites. The heavy metals in soil from dumping site were in the order Co< Cd <Mn< Ni < Cr < Cu < Pb < Zn<Fe. Mean concentrations of Cd (4.7 mg/kg) and Ni (56.5 mg/kg) in soils from solid waste dumping sites exceeded permissible limits (50 mg/kg for Ni and 3.0 for Cd). Cu concentration was highest in M. coromandelianum (23.55 mg/kg) and was above the permissible limits of 20 mg/kg. Relatively higher concentration of Ni in T. officinale (34.58 mg/kg), Cr in C. album (46.85 mg/kg), Zn in P. hysterophorus (24.73 mg/kg) and Pb in C. sativa leaves collected from dumping sites. The enzymatic activities of POD, CAT, SOD and carotenoid contents, chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll (a+b) showed significant increase in plants collected from dumping sites. T. officinale showed greater BCF value in roots than leaves for Pb, Cr, Co, Cd, Cu and Fe indicating its suitability for phytostabilization. Higher TF (root to shoot) values of P. hysterophorus (1.52, 1.92, 1.58), M. coromandelianum (1.24, 2.13, 1.08) and C. sativa (1.03, 2.01, 1.14) for Pb, Cu and Zn at dumping sites highlighted its potential for phytoextraction.