Remediation of lindane by Jatropha curcas L: Utilization of multipurpose species for rhizoremediation

In the present study we demonstrate the rhizoremediation potential of a biodiesel plant Jatropha curcas L. against lindane and discuss the field applicability of Jatropha based remediation techniques and future research prospects. Six different experimental approaches were conducted to evaluate the phytoremediation potential of Jatropha under glasshouse conditions. For this, Jatropha plants were grown in garden soil spiked with four increasing concentration of lindane (5, 10, 15 and 20 mg kg−1) and harvested after 45, 180 and 300 d. One set of control plants were grown in lindane free soil and another set of spiked soils were kept without Jatropha plants. At every harvesting, plant growth, lindane accumulation in plant parts, residual lindane concentration in soil as well as percentage lindane dissipation from soil were calculated. After 300 d, the accumulation of lindane in Jatropha grown in four simulated soils reached up to 5.42, 10.83, 15.95 and 20.85 μg g−1 plant dry matter, respectively. Correspondingly, the residual lindane soil concentrations in the above four treatments were reduced to 89, 82, 77 and 72% with respect to the applied lindane amounts, respectively. We conclude that Jatropha enhances the dissipation of lindane in simulated soil and is useful for onsite remediation.