Effect of Nano-Particle Compounds and P. Indica on Bio-Degradation of Petroleum Compounds in the Soil Contaminated with Cd under Cultivation of Triticale Plant

Phytoremediation efficiency of heavy metals is an important factor in environmental studies. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), zeolite, and P.indica on bio-degradation of mazut in a soil treated with Cd and mazut.

Treatments consisted of applying zeolite (0, 1 and 2% (W/W)), MWCNTs (0, 1 and 2 % (W/W)) in the presence and absence of P.Indica in the Cd (0 , 5 and 10 mg/kg soil) polluted soil that was simultaneously polluted with mazut (0 and 6 % (W/W)). After 70 days, plants were harvested, and plant and soil Cd were measured using AAS. In addition, the degradation percentage of mazut in soil was determined.

 The addition of 2 % (W/W) MWCNTs and zeolite to the soil polluted with 6 % (W/W) mazut significantly increased the bio-degradation percentage of mazut in the soil by 11.3%. For soil and plant Cd concentration, it was decreased by 10.6 and 12.8%, respectively. In addition, plant inoculation with P.indica significantly increased the biodegradation of mazut in the Cd polluted soil (10 mg Cd/kg soil) by 14.3%. Increasing soil pollution to mazut from 0 to 6 % (W/W) significantly increased the soil microbial respiration by 14.4%.

Based on the results, the addition of MWCNs and zeolite in the soil and plant inoculation with P.indica significantly increased the mazut bio-degradation in the soil. However, the amount and type of pollutant had a significant effect on phytoremediation efficiency.