Enhancing metal extraction potential of Coronopus didymus using some biodegradable chelating agents

Abstract

Heavy metal contamination has become a significant issue lately owing to the ability of heavy metals to inhibit biodegradation processes, and thus, encourage environmental pollution and bio-toxicity problems. The present study was conducted on exploring the potential of Coronopus didymus (a wild, unpalatable herb with higher biomass) to hyperaccumulate cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) from soil in the presence of various biodegradable chelating agents. Various chelants used for the study were ethylene diamine disuccinate (EDDS), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), citric acid (CA), oxalic acid (OA), and tartaric acid (TA). The results indicated that chelants supplementation brought a modulating effect on the morphology and physiology of the plant and also enhanced the accumulation of metal content (Cd or Pb) in the roots of the plants. Furthermore, Cd or Pb alone or newlinein combination with chelating agents altered the ROS production and activities of antioxidant enzymes in C. didymus plants. The macromolecular content and the activities of some hydrolases and oxidoreductases in C. didymus was also altered in the presence of Cd or Pb alone or in combination with chelating agents. Based on the study, it can be said that supplementation of various chelating agents in metal concentrations, especially Cd can bring about significant changes in the newlinestudied parameters, which point towards the improvement in the metal extraction ability of C. didymus. Thus phytoextraction potential of C. didymus with the biodegradable chelating agents can be tested under actual field conditions. This would help in the commercialization of this technology. newline newline newline