Phytoremediation Potential of Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) in Absorbing Contaminants in Soil

Abstract

The continuous development of urbanization and industrialization has caused harmful effects to the environment. Soil had become contaminated by the accumulation of heavy metals which threaten ecosystems, water sources and human health. Phytoremediation is the use of plants to clean up contamination. It is a plant-based process of eliminating harmful chemicals that are found in soil using the natural ability of plants to absorb contaminants. Same amount of soil per set up was contaminated using Iron (III) Chloride solution with three different amounts (10 ml, 20mL and 30 ml). Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) was used as phytoremediation agent to absorb the Iron (III) in the soil. Fresh harvest roots were subjected to Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) after eight weeks of treatment. The result showed that the set-up with 10mL amount of iron solution yielded the highest amount of absorption 40, 931 mg/kg. The amount of iron absorbed by the roots in 20mL and 30mL is 39 823 mg/kg and 28 173 mg/kg respectively. In conclusion, Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) is an effective accumulator for high levels of Iron III contamination.