Enhanced phytoextraction of lead by indian mustard using electric field

A phytoextraction treatment enhanced by electric field to decontaminate a heavily Pb polluted soil has been tested in a greenhouse-scale experiment. Brassica juncea was selected as Pb-hyperaccumulator plant. The influence of the application of two Electric Potential Difference values (0.6 and 1.1 V cm -1) and the addition of EDTA (2.5 mmol kg-1) on biomass production, plant uptake, contaminant leaching and migration was investigated, monitoring pH, temperature and electric current through the soil. The investigated treatments were applied for 8 weeks. For the treatment with EPD application and EDTA addition, a slight decrease in biomass production, a 4-fold increase of the plant uptake and a significant Pb leached reduction compared to control were observed. The combined use of electrokinetic and phytoextraction treatments can therefore contribute to reduce significantly the remediation time and the risk of groundwater pollution, possibly representing a very promising approach to decontaminating metalpolluted soil. Copyright © 2013, AIDIC Servizi S.r.l.