Effect of sewage sludge on the phytoremediation of Muteh gold factory tailings by quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa L.)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of sewage sludge on the uptake of some heavy metals by Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa L.) from the tailings of Mouteh Gold Mine. For this purpose, the effects of 0, 20 and 40 ton ha-1 sewage sludge on the concentration, uptake, bioconcentration and translocation factor of Pb, Cd and Ni in the three cultivars of Quinoa (Q29, Red carina and Titicaca) were investigated. According to the results, the effect of Quinoa cultivar, different levels of sewage sludge and the interaction effects of treatments on the Pb and Ni concentration of roots and shoots, root Cd concentration and bioconcentration and translocation factor of Pb were significant. In the Titicaca cultivar, application of 40 ton ha-1 of sewage sludge significantly increased root and shoot Ni concentration and root Cd concentration, and significantly decreased shoot Pb concentration and bioconcentration and translocation factor o Pb. In the Red carina cultivar, the concentration of root and shoot Pb, biological accumulation factor of Pb, root Cd concentration and shoot Ni concentration of plants treated with 40 ton ha-1 of sewage sludge were significantly higher than control treatment. Also, application of sewage sludge significantly reduced translocation factor of Cd and increased total uptake and biological accumulation factor of Ni. In general, the highest shoot Pb concentration, total Pb uptake, biological accumulation factor of Cd, and translocation factor of Cd and Ni were observed in cultivar Q29. Whereas, shoot Cd and root Ni concentrations of the Red carina and Titicaca cultivars were significantly higher than the Q29 cultivar. Based on the results, Q29 cultivar has good accumulation ability for the studied heavy metals and can be a suitable species for the remediation of contaminated soils.