Indian mustard ( brassica juncea ) can be used for phytoremediation of lead in s

Question

Indian mustard (brassica juncea) can be used for phytoremediation of lead in soil because it has the ability to hyperaccumulate lead by a factor of 17. The average crop yield is about 4.0 kg per square metre.

1) Calculate the expected plant concentration of lead if the soil contains 280 ppm lead.

2) What mass of lead would potentially be recovered from a crop planted on one square kilometre of soil with 280 ppm lead?

3) Another plant has a lead hyperaccumulation factor of 34, but the crop yield is 2.8 kg per square metre. Is this plant a better alternative to Indian mustard for phytoremediation of lead? Show calculations.

Explanation / Answer

1)Calculate the expected plant concentration of lead if the soil contains 280 ppm lead.

The the ability of plant to hyperaccumulate lead is 17 times

so plant concentration of lead expected = 280 x 17 = 4760 ppm

2) The average crop yield is about 4.0 kg per square metre.

The concentration in plant = 4760 ppm = 4760 mg / Kg

So in 4 Kg the mass of lead will be = 4760 X 4 = 19040 mg

3) the lead accumulation factor for other plant = 34

So lead concentration will be = 34 X 280 = 9520 ppm = 9520 mg / Kg

And crop yield is 2.8 kg per square metre

So mass of lead accumulated = 9520 X 2.8 mg = 26656 mg

so the other crop will be better for phytoremediation of lead.

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