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Effect of Chelators Amendment on Bioavailability of Heavy Metals in Fly Ash Contaminated Soil

JAIPAL*, ASHA GUPTA AND N. R. BISHNOI
Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology,
Hisar-125 001 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail : jppataudi@gmail.com)
(Received : January 11, 2018; Accepted : March 18, 2018)

ABSTRACT

Growing energy dependence on coal based thermal power plant and presence of high ash content (35-45%) in Indian coal have resulted in production of huge quantity of fly ash which acts as a problematic solid waste due to the toxicity of toxic heavy metals. In the recent years, phytoremediation is emerging as a green technology for cleaning of heavy metals contaminated soils. Phytoextraction of metals by the green plants depends on the bioavailability of these metals in fly ash contaminated soil. Bioavailability of toxic heavy metals was tested with DTPA extraction method. From the results, it was  observed that plant available metal concentration was very less in comparison to total metal concentration which justified less favourable conditions for efficient phytoextraction of toxic heavy metals. The potential of biodegradable chelators (EDDS and NTA) amendment in fly ash and fly ash contaminated soil was tested for bioavailability of toxic heavy metals. Results indicated that both the chelators enhanced the bioavailability of heavy metals in fly ash contaminated soil which increased the phytoextraction efficiency of the plant.

Key words : Biomass, fly ash, phytoextraction, heavy metals, thermal power plant, ash content