EDTA and municipal solid waste compost effects on Pb and Cd phytoremediation management by sunflower

Soil contamination with toxic metals is a major danger for human health when these metals enter the food chain through plant uptake. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Ethylene Diamine Tetra acetic Acid (EDTA), Municipal Solid Waste Compost(MSWC) and their combined application with different levels of Pb and Cd in soil on Pb and Cd phytoremediation by sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Six seeds of sunflower were planted in pots and irrigateed with drinking water. This study was performed using three levels of Cd (0,50and100 mg/kg) as Cd(NO3)2.4H2O, three levels of Pb (0,100 and200 mg/kg) as Pb(NO3)2 and three chelating agents including EDTA, MSWC and combined application of MSWC and EDTA in a factorial experiment arranged in a completely random design. Results showed that the combined application of MSWC and EDTA resulted in the highest Cd and Pb bioaccumulation factor. EDTA at both levels of cadmium pollution resulted in the greatest transfer factor that was significantly different from the other chelating agents. Generally for the management of Cd contaminated soils remediation, MSWC is recommended, but no chelating agents is recommended for Pb remediation.