ASSESSMENT OF PHYTOEXTRACTION EFFICIENCY OF NATURALLY GROWN PLANT SPECIES AT THE FORMER TIN MINING CATCHMENT

Removal of heavy metals from soil and water by plants (phytoremediation) has appeared as a promising cost-effective technology. Nine plant species (Cyperus rotun-dus L., Imperata cylindrica, Lycopodium cernuum, Me-lastoma malabathricum, Mimosa pudica Linn, Nelumbo nucifera, Phragmites australis L., Pteris vittata L. and Salvinia molesta) were selected and analyzed to assess the phytoextraction potential for remediation of lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As) and tin (Sn) from contaminated tin tailings. Results showed that Cyperus rotundus L. accumulated 658 mg kg-1, Imperata cylindrica 245 mg kg-1, Nelumbo nucifera 288 mg kg-1, Phragmites australis L. 345 mg kg-1, and Pteris vittata L. 278 mg kg-1 (dry weight), with bioconcentration factors up to 0.40, 0.32, 0.57, 0.71, and 0.65, respectively, as well as phyto