CHED 197 |
| Our objective was to evaluate the phytoextraction potential of El Paso, TX native grasses using ICP-OES. Three types of grasses (Cynodon dactylon, Sporobolus airoides, and Sporobolus wrightii) were selected to measure the uptake of Cd, Cr, and Pb. Soil samples collected from the east, northeast, and west areas of El Paso, TX were analyzed using the EPA Method 3052 Microwave Assisted Acid Digestion of Plant and Soil Samples. ICP-OES was used to measure the content of metals in the soils before and after the experiment as well as the uptake of Cd, Cr, and Pb by the grasses. Initial concentration in the soil for the three sites ranged from 0.7 to 1.2 mg/kg for Cd, 8 to 15.9 mg/kg for Cr, and 10.5 to 18.4 mg/kg for Pb. Soils from the east sample site showed the following results: S. airoides absorbed Cr, 2.7 mg/kg; S. wrightii absorbed Pb, 6.8 mg/kg; and C. dactylon, as well as the other grasses, did not absorb Cd. In northeast sample site soil showed: S. airoides absorbed Cd and Pb, 0.3 mg/kg and 11.9 mg/kg; C. dactylon absorbed Cr, 5.6 mg/kg; and S. wrightii absorbed, in comparison to the other grasses, a low amount of Cr and Pb, 2.8 mg/kg and 3.8 mg/kg. In west sample site soils showed Cd accumulation was the same for all three grasses, 0.4 mg/kg and C. dactylon absorbed Cr and Pb, 1 mg/kg and 3 mg/kg. On average S. airoides accumulated the highest amount of Cd, S. wrightii accumulated the highest amount of Cr, and C. dactylon accumulated the most Pb. This research was supported in part by the MBRS-RISE grant 5 R25 GM 60424-03, NIH EARDA 2G11HD 035968 Pilot Project, and NSF grant |
|
Undergraduate Research Poster Session
2:30 PM-4:30 PM, Monday, August 20, 2007 BCEC -- Exhibit Hall - B2, Poster
Division of Chemical Education |