Phytoremediation of heavy metals pollutant in landfill area by Sida rhombifolia sp / Mohamad Norazlie Mohamad Razali

Soils contaminated with pollutant especially heavy metals can caused a serious problems to the environment including aquatic life and the food chains. Laboratory studies has proved that phytoremediation is a natural, safest, and feasible method on dealing with contaminated soils of landfill area. This research focused on the potential of plants to naturally act as metal remover on the landfills soil contaminated with iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn). The plant sample and landfill soil used in the study was obtained from the landfills area near Felda Jengka 10, Pahang. One plant species was selected to act as phytoremediator which is Sida Rhombifolia sp. The plant was taken from two different places which is at twenty meter and fifty meter far away from the waste collection area. For the control, same plant species was taken near main road at plantation area at UiTM Pahang. The heavy metals concentrations were determined by using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). The results showed that the absorption of heavy metals by Sida Rhombifolia at 20 meter away was in the order of Zn > Mn > Fe> Pb > Cu. The absorption of heavy metals by Sida Rhombifolia at 50 meter away was in the order Zn > Mn > Fe > Pb > Cu. Based on the results obtained, it was concluded that the plant species has a high potential to significantly act as metal remover especially for zinc metal.