Heavy metal accumulation in wild plants: implications for phytoremediation

The work undertakes the issue of Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni and Cr accumulation in wild grown plants in the context of their possible use for the sanitation of sludge and waste substrates. The highest contents of heavy metals were noted in Lactuca serriola, Chenopodium album, Artemisia vulgaris and Atriplex nitens. Assuming maximum crop production which is to be obtained from sludge and waste substrates at a level of 2 kg d.w./m2, it is clear that from 1 hectare several hundred grams of Pb and Cd, as well as up to 2 kg of Cu and 20 kg of Zn may be removed.