Zinc absorption in two-year old Poplar seedlings (Populus deltoids) in the environment

Phytoremediation is the use of green plants to reduce contaminant levels such as heavy metals in the environment. Some plants can uptake and store (accumulate) environmental contaminants within their tissue and organs. Due to their sustainability in the environment, heavy metals are of particular significance. This study was, therefore, conducted to evaluate the phytoremediation potential of zinc by Populus deltoids.
Biennial seedlings of populous deltoids were provided from plantations with arrangements made well in advance with the directors of the Department of Natural Resources. Zinc chloride solutions (0, 10, 20 and 40 mg /L) were prepared, added into the soil and the seedlings were thereafter placed in pots. The seedlings were grown for three months exposing to various zinc concentrations. Seedlings aerial organs (stems and leaves) and roots as well as the soil were sampled and analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Duncan’s multiple comparisons (P The highest level of Zn in aerial organs, root and the soil structure of Populous deltoids was 142.86, 85.94, 12.002 mg/kg, respectively. Similarly, the corresponding lowest level of Zn was 44.61, 21.20, and 0.124 mg/kg. The high-zinc (40 mg/L) treated plants showed the lowest levels of 4.14 and 1.03 g/L in aerial organs and root dry weights, respectively. The maximum values of 20.61 and 3.066 were also respectively determined at control experiments.
The results suggest that Populous deltoids is an appropriate alternative for phytoremediation of zinc- polluted soils.