Chelating agent and chemical fertilizer effect on copper uptake by Helianthus annuus

Abstract

Phytoremediation has shown great potential as an alternative treatment for the remediation of heavy metal contaminated soils. The objective of this research was to investigate the ability of chelating agent and chemical fertilizer for enhancing the phytoremeditaion of copper. Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) were applied to the soil at various dosages to elevate metal mobility. It was found that maximum copper extraction was observed by high dosage of chelating agent and chemical fertilizer alone with respect to control. The best treatment for maximum uptake of copper was noted in pots applied with combination of 9 mM EDTA/kg and 300 mg/kg of NH4Cl with respect to chelating agent and chemical fertilizer alone and control. Chelating agent was much better for phytoextraction of copper than ammonium chloride but ammonium chloride in combination with chelating agent gave the better results.