Application of plant based green technology for molybdenum remediation

• Main Author: Wong, Seok Peng
• Other Authors: -
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2014
• Subjects: DRNTU::Science
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/61676
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Rising demand for molybdenum (Mo) generates large land area of metalliferous soil with anthropogenic activities (Anthony, 2013). Phytoremediation technologies appear to have good potential in the remediation of Mo-contaminated soil. Selection of plants with appropriate traits e.g. high accumulation capacity, large biomass and great tolerance to phytotoxicity is a crucial factor for successful phytoremediation project. Currently, only few Mo-hyperaccumulator species have been identified (Boojar & Tavakkoli, 2011). This study aims to investigate the potential of Axonopus compressus (A.c) as a Mo-hyperaccumulator plant. A.c showed tolerance when spiked with 600 ppm Mo soil concentration where it was found to accumulate 3984 ± 342 ppm of Mo in the yellow leaves, reaching the accumulation level required for a Mo-hyperaccumulator ( >1500 ppm). Physiological parameters were monitored to determine the effect of phytotoxicity stress on A.c. Although a significant decline in photosynthetic rate was observed over the 5 weeks, A.c appeared bushy and healthy with no significant change in chlorophyll content. A rise in nitrogen content further showed the adaptability of A.c to Mo toxicity stress. In conclusion, this study showed that A.c is a potential Mo-hyperaccumulator and the results obtained would be useful for further study on Mo hyperaccumulation.