Capacity of nettle (Urtica Dioica L.) in adsorption of heavy metals (Pb, As, Cd, Ni) from Tonekabon landfill leachate

Landfill leachate contains heavy metals that cause toxic effects on water and soil near landfills. Phytoremediation is one of the control methods in which native plants with accumulation ability are used. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accumulation strength of heavy metals by nettle from leachate.

In the present study, after collecting nettle seeds from Tonekabon landfill, they were planted in 16 pots and after the 6-leaf stage, placed under four concentrations of fresh leachate (0, 30, 60 and 100%) and after the growth period, the amount of metals Heavy (by atomic absorption spectrometer) and morphological traits were measured.

The result showed that with increasing leachate concentration, the amount of heavy metals in all organs increased (Ni> Pb > Cd> Ar) and the aerial parts were more absorbed. In parallel with this result, dry weight factors of stem and leaf, root and leaf area index also decreased. Calculation of TF> 1 in nettle organs showed its ability to be more accumulative in the face of leachate.

Bioremediation with using of native plants and accumulators to remove heavy metals is a low cost and environmentally friendly method. Nettle is a native and wild plant that grows in landfills in the north of the country and due to its accumulative power, it is a suitable species for clearing the soil of heavy metals.