Phytoextraction of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn by the plant species Datura innoxia

Background and Objectives: Nowadays, pollution problems have become very crucial. Anthropogenic activities are the main sources of pollution with high concentrations of Metallic Traces Elements (MTEs), that pollute the ecosystem and cause health issues. This work aims to contribute to the establishment of biological techniques, the phytoremediation by Datura innoxia for that purpose two soils polluted by the MTEs has been considered. Methods: The soils were taken from Komabangou area polluted by gold panning activities. They are distributed in pots and seeds of Datura innoxia were introduced. The plants are watered daily with tap water. Results: After one month of culture, Datura innoxia showed a good development similar to the one of the control grown in unpolluted soil. The lengths of the entire Datura innoxia plant were 65 cm in the control soil versus to 63 cm in the polluted soil. The lengths of the aerial and underground part of Datura innoxia were respectively 49 and 16 cm in the control soil versus 48 and 15 cm in the polluted soil. These results therefore show that Datura innoxia has a good tolerance to the toxicity of MTEs present in polluted soil. The phytoremediation of MTEs by Datura innoxia has shown that in low polluted soil, Datura innoxia reduced by 110.96%, 0.025% and 51.26% respectively an initial Zn concentration of 66.8 mg / kg, a Pb of 61.31 mg / kg and a Cu of 33.61%. In highly polluted soil, Datura innoxia reduced by 10.63%, 120%, 34.67% and 44.27% respectively an initial Pb concentration of 125 mg / kg, Cd of 0.58 mg / kg, Cu of 208.48 mg / kg and in Zn of 139.83 mg / kg. Conclusion: Datura innoxia is an excellent candidate for the phytoremediation of Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn.