The phytoremediation potential of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. grown in soils historically polluted with heavy metals: a case study from Baia Mare, Romania

Abstract

The aim of this research is to evaluate the ability of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. (LA) to accumulate and translocate heavy metals (HMs) from disturbed soils. The study was conducted on a site historically polluted with HMs, located in Baia Mare, Romania. Soil samples and underground (root) and aboveground parts of plants (leaves and stems) were collected from the study site and analysed for HM content (Pb, Cu, Cd, and Zn) by XRF spectroscopy. The potential for phytoremediation of lavender was evaluated according to the bioconcentration (BCF) and the translocation (TF) factors. The results showed that LA efficiently accumulated Cd and Zn. A different partitioning of HM among plant tissues was observed, showing the highest content in the aboveground mass compared to that found in the root (except for Zn). The TF ranged between 0.62 and 3.59, with values higher than unity for Cd and Pb, revealing that this plant is a suitable candidate for phytoextraction of these two trace elements. According to the BCF values, it seems that lavender is able to bioaccumulate high amounts of Cd (6.66), Pb (1.09), and Zn (2.87). Although more research is necessary for conclusive results, our findings confirm the ability of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. to tolerate, accumulate, and translocate high levels of HMs from soil to the aerial parts of the plant.