Heavy metal phytoextraction potential of indigenous tree species of the family fabaceae.

Untreated industrial wastewater (IWW) creates a number of problems in ecosystem. This study highlights the possibility of using IWW for forest irrigation. Five tree species were selected for this study, Albizia lebbeck, Bauhinia purpurea, Dalbergia sissoo, Millettia peguensis, and Pongamia pinnata, and these species were grown in pots and were irrigated with different concentrations of IWW, rich in heavy metals. All the species showed positive results for fresh weight, plant height, and stem diameter. The maximum proline content was observed in B. purpurea (6.33), whereas the least quantity was observed in P. pinnata (3.89). Lead uptake (163.801 mg/day) by B. purpurea was promising. Uptake of Cr and Cu was slow in all species. Translocation factor of D. sissoo was maximum, that is 3.37. This study successfully combats wastewater problem. These five species are much tolerant in IWW and can be successfully used for phytoextraction processes. The chromium accumulation in stem is as follows: D. sissoo > A. lebbeck > M. peguensis > P. pinnata > B. purpurea. Metal Bioaccumulation in leaf and root was less. The idea is to utilize IWW to generate urban forests (in eco-friendly and sustainable way), which can reduce multiple problems such as IWW toxicity and air pollution through urban forestry.