aNuclear Agriculture and Biotechnology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai-400 085
bAnalytical Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai - 400 085
* Corresponding author. E-mail: knsuseelan@email.com
Efficiency of uptake of known pollutant heavy metals Hg, Cd, U and Zn by Mimosa pudica, a nonconsumable wild plant species, was evaluated. Various concentrations of heavy metals ranging from 110, 1–20, 5–20 and 50–200 mM were used and maximum uptake by the roots at 10, 20, 10 and 100 M recorded for Hg, Cd, U, and Zn, respectively. The translocation of metals from root to stem (48%) and leaves (8%) was highest for Zn, as compared to others. U showed only 35% translocation to stem, where as Cd and Hg translocation to both stem and leaves, was negligible. The results indicated differential uptake for different metals by Mimosa pudica. The roots showed maximum uptake capacity for heavy metals, implying the possible utility of Mimosa pudica for rhizofiltration.
Heavy metal uptake, Mimosa pudica, phytoremediation
