Phytoremediation potential of seedlings: comparing heavy metal accumulation in Ailanthus, Acer, and Fraxinus species.

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the phytoremediation potential of non-productive seedlings of Ailanthus altissima, Acer pseudoplatanus, and Fraxinus excelsior for lead, cadmium, and zinc accumulation in contaminated soils of Zanjan Province, an industrial area with significant pollution. The evaluation employed a completely randomized design, with three treatment levels for each element, alongside a control treatment, replicated three times over a two-year period. A total of 810 one-year-old seedlings from the three species were involved in the study. Soil contamination levels, ranging from 0 to 2000 mg/kg for lead and zinc and from 0 to 200 mg/kg for cadmium, were administered through soil pot irrigation. Sampling of seedling stems and pot soils was conducted in November of 2021 and 2022. The absorption levels of elements in the samples were determined using the dry acid digestion method and an ICP-OES atomic absorption spectrometer. Results indicate species-specific variations in metal absorption, with Ailanthus showing the highest accumulation rates. Findings suggest Ailanthus as a promising candidate for soil improvement in polluted environments, particularly in contaminated soils of Zanjan Province.