The use of phytoremediation, a new sustainable technology in the removal of some heavy metals (Ni and Zn) from polluted soils

Nowadays, phytoremediation technologies, which are widely used and an economical method, appear as a viable method for cleaning contaminated areas. Heavy metals that cause environmental pollution are transmitted to soil and water resources in various ways (traffic, industrialization, urbanization, human activities, improper agricultural practices, etc.) Due to its toxic effects, this pollution created by heavy metals poses a serious threat to the living things in the ecosystem. In this study, the effectiveness of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) and collard (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala) in removing heavy metals of nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn) and absorbing other plant nutrients, respectively, was determined by the presence of mycorrhiza in soil. The experiment conducted in Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University, Faculty of Agriculture, Soil Science and Plant Nutrition Department Laboratory was carried out according to the "Randomized Block Design". In the study, 2 plants + 2 pollutants (Zn and Ni) x 3 replications x 2 different doses (with mycorrhiza (+AM) / without mycorrhiza (-AM)) were applied and there was a total of 18 pots, including control pots for each plant. After planting in polluting pots, the adaptation of the plants has waited and 10 mmol/kg EDTA chelator was applied 1 week later. Zn and Ni applied as pollutants were applied as 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg, respectively. Ni heavy metal was taken from the water-soluble form of NiSO4.6H2O and Zn heavy metal was taken from the water-soluble form of ZnSO4.7H2O. Mycorrhiza application was carried out 10 days after planting. As a result of the study, the changes in plant height, plant root length and SPAD values were not found statistically significant in both plants. It has been determined that collard (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala) and peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) plants accumulate nickel and zinc heavy metals and remove these heavy metals from the soil by phyto-stabilisation.