The study of cadmium uptake and accumulation in Acacia victoriae three months old seedlings

As a result of human activities, metal pollution has become one of the most important challenges in soil and water conservation area today. Phytoremediation utilizes plants to uptake contaminants and can potentially be used to remediate metal contaminated soils and waters. This study was carried out with the aim of assessing the ability of Acacia victoriae three months old seedlings in the accumulation of cadmium in their parts (stem and root), transfer it from the roots to the stems and to understand the effect of Cd accumulation on some morphology attributes of the plant. For this purpose, 12 seedlings of A.victoriae three months old seedlings were exposed to Cd in 4 different concentrations: 0, 10, 50 and 100 (mg/l) for period 45 days in completely randomized design with 3 replicates per treatment were considered. The results showed significantly reduction of height, biomass and resistance were observed, compared to the control plants and also symptoms of toxicity in the leafs which become thin, yellow and with brwon spots in high concentrations of Cd were notably. Also Cd accumulation in roots and aerial parts increasing trend with increasing Cd supply up to 100 (mg/l) and root tissue concentration regards to Cd concentration was higher than stem tissues concentration at all treatments. Cdwere accumulated in the roots, stems and leafs of seedlings, more than 72% (19433.33 mg/kg), under 17% (4630 mg/kg) and under 11% (2853.33 mg/kg) exposed to 100 (mg/l), respectively. Bioconcentration Coefficient root and stem, Translocation Factors, Enrich Coefficient and Uptake Index were determined 184.9, 71.20, 0.39, 0.014, 7697.73 mg/kg in high concentrations of Cd, respectively. Indeed, the results confirmed that A.victoriae had the ability to accumulate Cd in the roots so that prevented Cd toxicity symptom. Generally, this desert plant can be used in the process of remediation of Cd soil polluted by way of phytostabilization.