2011 : Vetiver in phytoremediation of mercury polluted soil with the addition of compost

Prof. Dr. Ir. Sarwoko Mangkoedihardjo MScES

Abstract

This paper reports the ability of vetiver to reduce the concentration of mercury in soil and the influence of the addition of compost in phytoremediation efficiency. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse where the growth medium using 100% soil and 90% soil+ 10% compost. Each growth medium has several variations of mercury concentration, the largest being 8 mg Hg2+/kg. During exposure 28days, the results showed a decrease in mercury in the growth media in the range of 30-65%. Phytoremediation in compost amended soil has a higher efficiency than the soil. The decline of mercury in the growth media was caused by the association of microbial processes and absorption of plant. The maximum mercury concentration in growth media gave significant effects on plant height, dry weight and leaf necrosis.