Determination of the phytoremediation potential of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) plant, naturally distributed in Sinop, in fighting against environmental pollution

In this study, the phytoremediation potential of Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.), which naturally occurs in Sinop province, has been investigated. To assess the phytoremediation potentials of fennel, metal analyses (Zn, Mn, Cu, and Fe) were conducted in the roots, stems, leaves, and root zone soils of the plants. Heavy metal concentrations were obtained using an ICP-MS device, and bioaccumulation factor (BAF), enrichment factor (EF), and translocation factor (TF) values were calculated. The plants were evaluated for their phytostabilization and phytoextraction capabilities based on these factors. The pollution levels of the soil samples were determined using the Geoaccumulation Index. The results of the study revealed that the BAF, TF, and EF values for Mn and Cu heavy metals were higher than the threshold value of 1, suggesting that fennel could be utilized in the phytoextraction method for these two heavy metals. According to the analysis results of Cu and Mn elements, the accumulation and translocation of these elements from the soil indicate the hyperaccumulator potential of fennel for these metals. While Fe was identified as the element with the highest accumulation in the samples, the majority of the extracted amount from the soil was found to be retained in the roots. Considering the significantly high BAF value, it can be concluded that fennel acts as a "phytoextractor" and "phytostabilizer" for Fe. Furthermore, based on the parameters used in the calculations and the analysis results, the study suggests that fennel has the "phytoextractor potential" (accumulator or hyperaccumulator) for the Zn element.