Title: Heavy metals' bio-accumulation and transfer in lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) irrigated with industrial wastewater

Authors: Ghasem Rahimi; Zahra Kolahchi; Sajad Bayat

Addresses: Soil Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Bu-Ali Sina University, P/C: 6517833131, Hamedan, Iran ' Soil Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Bu-Ali Sina University, P/C: 6517833131, Hamedan, Iran ' Soil Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Bu-Ali Sina University, P/C: 6517833131, Hamedan, Iran

Abstract: The aim of study was to assess some heavy metals' bioaccumulation in lemon balm and assess the risks involved. Pot experiments were conducted on lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) irrigated with industrial wastewater. The concentrations of Ni, Pb, Cd and Zn in the soil for all treatments were higher than root and aerial parts of the plant. In all treatments, Ni, Pb and Zn decreased-i.e soil >> root > stem > leaf > seed. Bioaccumulation factor for Ni, Pb, Cd and Zn were less than transfer factors among root, stem, leaf and seed of the plant, stressing on the high concentration of the metals in the soil compared to other organs. The absence of Cd in the plant leaves indicated that lemon balm was a suitable crop for contaminated soils, especially with Cd. The studied wastewater should not comprise more than 25 % of water used for agricultural purposes.

Keywords: bio-accumulation; environment; heavy metal; industrial wastewater; lemon balm; pollution; pot experiment; risk management; transfer factor; TF; uptake.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2019.099004

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2019 Vol.23 No.3, pp.238 - 256

Received: 04 Oct 2017
Accepted: 08 Jun 2018

Published online: 12 Apr 2019 *

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