Phytoremediation of Lead Contaminated Land Using Vetiver zizanoides and Citric Acid as Chelating Agent

Abstract

Environmental pollution due to hazardous waste in Karangdawa, Margasari, Tegal has an impact on soil and groundwater quality. Lead found in the soil exceeds the permissible standards. It is necessary to recover soil from Lead because it can enter food crops and accumulate in the human body. Phytoremediation is commonly used in land remediation because it’s economical and doesn’t cause secondary environmental problems. One of the ways to optimize Phytoremediation is by using chelating agents. The purpose of the study was to analyze the ability of Vetiver zizanoides and analyze the most optimum dose variation of Citric acid to uptake Lead to the plant. The ability of Vetiver zizanoides and Citric acid as metal chelators in Pb uptake was investigated for 28 days with Citric acid doses of 0.5 g/kg, 1 g/kg, and 2 g/kg. Analysis of Lead concentration in roots, stems, and soil using AAS. From the results of the study, Vetiver zizanoides was able to survive from Lead exposure up to 4979.8 ppm. Application 1 g/kg of Citric acid in the soil, increased the bioconcentration, and bioaccumulation compared to control plants. The results indicated that the addition of Citric acid as a chelating agent could increase the function of Vetiver zizanoides as a phytoremediation agent.