Abstract

CONCENTRATIONS OF HEAVY METALS IN CLEOME GYNANDRA FROM THE TAMIL NADU COAST, SOUTHERN INDIA

A. Annadurai, and S. Ahmed John*

Abstract

The aim of this work was determination of trace metals (Pb, Zn, Ni, Cu and Fe) in different parts (Leaves, stem and root) of the plant (Cleome gynandra), ground water and surface soil samples collected in the vicinity of Manamedu village which is situated along the banks of river Cauvery in Tiruchirappalli district, Tamil Nadu state during summer and monsoon seasons of 2014. The concentrations of trace metals cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) were determined by AAS (atomic absorption spectrometry). Enhanced levels of iron were observed in all the analyzed samples. In order to compare with and assess the metalaccumulating ability of the different parts of the plant and to find the interaction of trace metals between the three different samples (plant, surface soil and ground water). The metal contents of water and soil such as Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ne Pb and Zn concentrations were between 0.06 – 0.10, BDL – BDL, 0.15 – 0.22, 378 – 554, BDL – 0.06, 0.08 – 0.12 and 0.24 – 0.29 mg L-1, and 0.52 – 0.76, 0.06 – 0.08, 0.98 – 1.06, 1346 – 1568, 0.06 – 0.10, 0.20 – 0.28 and 4.56 – 7.72 mg kg-1, respectively. The elevated level of trace metals concentrations were proved that the study site were contaminated by the trace metals due to the sewage waste and the waste from massive industrial and improper agricultural practices. The orders of decreasing trace metal values were: Surface soil > Cleome gynandra > Ground water. The metal contents of Cleome gynandra such as Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ne Pb and Zn concentrations were between BDL – 0.08, BDL – 0.04, 0.04 – 0.18, 0.10 – 0.32, BDL – 0.04, BDL – 0.10 and 0.12 – 0.28 mg kg-1, respectively. Monitoring the content of mineral elements in Cleome gynandra, ground water and soil is of high importance because some heavy metals in large quantities in the body may have a toxic effect.

Keywords: Cleome gynandra, Heavy metal, Plant root, Tiruchirappalli