The effect of irradiated and non irradiated sewage sludge application on Uptake of Heavy Metals by Jatropha curcas L plants

Soil contamination by heavy metals is a growing concern in many countries, especially in African continents. Phytoremediation of this polluted soil with non-edible plant like Jatropha curcas L offers an environmental friendly and cost-effective method for remediating the polluted soil. In this study, Research was conducted to elucidate the potential of Jatropha curcas L. to clean toxic heavy metals derived from sewage sludge. J. curcas seedlings were planted on sex different planting media T0, (control); T1, (100 % gamma irradiated sewage sludge (GISS); T2, (rate 50% gamma irradiated sewage sludge (GISS) +50% compost); T3, (rate 100 % non - irradiated sewage sludge (NISS); T4, (rat50% non - irradiated sewage sludge (NISS) +50% compost); T5, (rate 100 %compost) was undertaken for a period of 180 days under field condition. This plant was able to remove heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Cd and Cu) effectively from the medium containing 100% sewage sludge and after harvesting, the concentrations of Zn, Pb, Cd and Cu in T3 (100% sewage sludge) were decreased by 216.8, 190, 40.8 and 3.5 mg/kg, respectively from the initial values. The highest levels of Zn (169 mg kg?1), Cu (173.7 mg kg?1), Pb (3.8 mg kg-1) and Cd (3.2 mg kg?1) accumulation were found in the roots. Concentrations of heavy metals in soil and plant were always higher in NISS treatment in compare to GISS. The results prove that the gamma irradiated sludge material was of better quality compared to the conventional NISS.