Fitoremediation method and removal of cadium accumulation: Example of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Phytoremediation is a plant-controlled application used in soil pollution, in areas contaminated with organic and inorganic pollutants, to achieve region-specific improvement targets. Perennial aromatic plants produce large biomass and have a high potential for the phytoremediation of areas contaminated with heavy metals. There is no comprehensive study on the total content of heavy metals in the soil, the number of exchange forms, their absorption by lavender and distribution in vegetative organs. This study aims to determine the toxic cadmium removal and cadmium accumulation capacity of the soil by using lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) plant in soils containing different doses of cadmium. It is also to investigate the effect of heavy metals on the uptake of plant nutrients. The experiment was carried out in Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University Agricultural Faculty Soil Science and Plant Nutrition Department Laboratory, using 5 replicate doses of Cd pollutants and control pots in 3 repetitions according to the "Luck-Based Complete Blocks" trial pattern. Water-soluble Cd (CdSO4.8H2O), selected as a contaminant, was applied at doses of 10, 20, 40, 80 and 100 mgkg-1. EDTA chelator (10 mmol.kg-1) was applied to pots with contaminants. After the 30-day incubation period, the trial plant was planted in pots and plants was harvested after 60 days. At the highest pollutant dose applied to pots, Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) wet weight was determined as 34 g, dry weight 12,30 g, plant root wet weight 22 g, plant dry root weight 7 g. Other plant characteristics, plant height, plant root length and number of branches, have decreased compared to control pots plants. The change in SPAD values is not found statistically significant. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) cadmium values were determined at a dose of 100 mgkg-1 applied to highest content in the plant as 10,33 mgkg-1 in the plant stem and 90,96 mgkg-1 in the root. When N, P, K, Ca and Mg values of the plant's macro plant nutrients are compared with control pots, there was a decrease in N and K values, but no change in P and Mg values. However, there was an increase in Ca values. This situation is found statistically significant. In plants, values of the Fe and Zn micro plant nutrients increased, and Cu and Mn values decreased. In the removal of heavy metals from contaminated areas, cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants is generally proposed instead of the cultivated plants as a profitable and easily applicable option. Key words: Phytoremediation, Cadmium, Hyperacumulator Plant, Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)