Phytoremediation potential of selected plants for ethidium bromide-stained agarose gel
2005
Uera, R.B., Science Research Specialist I, PhilRice
This study aimed to find out the potential of the test plants as phytoremediators of ethidium bromide. Specifically, the performance of the test plants and the reduction of ethidium bromide in soil after 30 days of exposure were determined. Six test plants were planted in individual plastic bags containing soil and 10% ethidium bromide (Et Br) stained agarose gel. The plants were allowed to establish and grow in soil for 30 days. Ethidium bromide content of the test plants and the soil were evaluated using a UV VIS spectrophotometer based on Beer's Law of Concentration Determination. Results showed a highly significant difference in the ability of the test plants to absorb ethidium bromide in soil at 1% level 30 days after exposure. Mustard registered the highest absorption of 0.0014 ppm. This was followed by tomato and vetiver grass with 0.0010 and 0.0007 ppm, respectively. Cogon, talahib and carabao grass absorbed the least at 0.0002 ppm. Furthermore, analysis revealed a highly significant difference in the reduction of ethidium bromide in soil planted to the test plants 30 days after exposure at 1% level. Ethidium bromide content of soil planted to mustard was reduced by 10.66%. This was followed by tomato with a reduction of 8.12%. Only 5.58% reduction was obtained from soils planted to vetiver grass. Soils planted to cogon, talahib and carabao grass lost the least (1.52%) from its initial ethidium bromide content. These results revealed mustard had the highest potential as phytoremediator of ethidium bromide in soil. However, the absorption capabilities of the other test plants may also be considered in terms of period of maturity and productivity.
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