Preliminary test and monitoring of lead accumulation using hydrophyte hibiscus cannabinus L. as metal accumulator for potential phytoremediation

The plant monitored for its lead accumulation was the Hibiscus cannabinus L., commonly known as kenaf. The simulated lead contaminated solution in which the kenaf was subjected to ranged from 5 mg/L to 25 mg/L with increments of 5 mg/L. The kenaf plants were observed and tested everyday for 16 days wherein destructive sampling was conducted. For the uptake, the plant was most efficient in the 10 mg/L lead solution considering all the data from day 1 to day 16, with a maximum ration of 0.31. Tests showed that roots accumulated more than 77%, and some up to 96%. The ability of kenaf to tolerate lead could be attributed to the immobilization of the lead absorbed in the roots and restricted the upward movement towards the stems and the leaves, meaning low translocation factor. Kenaf plants passed 2 out of the 4 features that were needed for it to be considered as a hyperaccumulator. Although kenaf cannot be considered a hyperaccumulator of lead, it still has the potential for phytoremediation process