HEAVY METALS POLLUTION REDCTION IN SOILS IRRIGATED WITH SEWAGE WATER

Abstract

This work was carried out to study the effect of irrigation with sewage effluent polluted with heavy metals on some cultivated soils in EI-Gabal EI-Asfar, El- Saff and Abou­ Rawash. Chemical properties and heavy metah contents of Mn, Zn, Pb, Co and Cd of the investigated irrigation water samples were determined . Also, physical and chemical properties and above mentioned heavy metals content of the investigated soils were determined follow up the changes that may take place in status of heavy metals in these soils. Moreover, an experimental trial was conducted to reduce the heavy metals content of the contaminated soils at Abou Rawash by planting Petargonium zonate and Panicum crusgalli as hyperaccumulating plants (phytoremediation). The obtained results indicate that irrigation with wastewater increased total and available heavy metals content in the studied soils. The two tested plants (Petargonium Zonate and Punicum Crusga/111 can be used as hyperaccumulator plants and they appeared high capacity for accumulating most heavy metals from metals contaminated soils. While, Petargonium Zonate plants were more effective as hyperaccumulator plants for the most studied heavy metals than Punicum Crusgalli plants.