Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• S. Zolghadri ¹
• A. Nabipour-Chakoli ²
• H. Hoseinpour ³
• H. Yousefnia ¹
• Z. Shiri-Yekta ⁴

¹ Radiation Application Research School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, AEOI, P.O.Box: 11365-8486, Tehran – Iran

² Nuclear Agriculture Research School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, P.O.Box: 31465-1498, Karaj – Iran

³ Iran Nuclear Reactor Fuel Company, P.O.Box: 1957-81465, Isfahan - Iran

⁴ Nuclear Fuel Cycle Research School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, AEOI, P.O.Box: 11365-8486, Tehran - Iran

Abstract

Today, phytoremediation is recognized as one of the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly methods for removing pollutants from soil. This study focused on investigating the phytoremediation capabilities of Conyza canadensis (L) Cronq in removing uranium from saline soil. Soil samples were collected from the nuclear area of Isfahan, with contamination levels of 100, 300, and 500 mg/kg of uranium. The seeds were germinated in a suitable substrate and then transplanted into pots containing the contaminated soil. The plants were then cultivated in a greenhouse for one month, and the amount of uranium accumulation in various parts of the plant was determined using the ash method. Results indicated that as the concentration of uranium in the soil increased, so did the accumulation of uranium in the plant. The study revealed a direct correlation between the amount of uranium accumulation in the plant and the soil's texture and electrical conductivity (EC). The highest accumulation was found in the plant's stem, reaching 3633 mg/kg. Conyza canadensis (L) Cronq demonstrated the ability to accumulate over 1000 mg/kg of uranium in different parts of the plant, with transfer factors exceeding one. Therefore, Conyza canadensis (L) Cronq shows promise as a suitable plant for phytoremediation of saline soils.

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Keywords

• Phytoremediation
• Conyza canadensis (L) Cronq
• Uranium
• Transfer factor