PHYTOREMEDIATION POTENTIAL OF KENAF (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) IN LEAD (Pb) CONTAMINATED SANDY LOAM SOIL OF MAIDUGURI NIGERIA

A pot experiment was conducted to study the potentials of Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) as a phytoaccumulator of (Lead) Pb at different levels of artificial contamination in a laboratory. Pb was applied as lead nitrate- [Pb(NO3)2] at 0, 100, 200 and 300 mgkg-1 Pb. Kenaf was planted in each of the treated pots for ten (10) weeks, after which leaves, stems and roots samples were collected and analysed for Pb contents. The soil was analysed for physical and chemical properties before treatment/contamination and after 10 weeks of growth. The properties analysed included: pH, Electrical Conductivity, percent Organic Carbon, Exchangeable Acidity, Exchangeable Bases/cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+), extractable and total Pb contents. Study revealed that kenaf tolerated Pb treated (contaminated) soils at all levels (0 mgkg-1 to 300 mgkg-1 Pb) and did not show toxicity symptoms. Soil properties treated with Pb at all levels generally did not change significantly. Kenaf could be recommended as a Phytoaccumulator for the remediation of soil Pb contamination. Therefore, more circles of growth are needed to effectively remediate these metal contaminants in soils by kenaf plant.