Abstract
The phytoremediation potential and enzymatic defense of a medicinal herb Leucas aspera was studied in the crude oil contaminated soil. The productivity, antioxidants, and phytochemical and functional group profiles of the plant species in stress conditions were investigated. Besides, changes in enzymes, beneficial bacterial population, and physico-chemical and total oil and grease (TOG) profiles in the contaminated soil were also studied. The results showed improvement in physico-chemical conditions, increase in beneficial bacterial population (4.1–5.4 folds), and decrease in TOG (31.3%) level of the contaminated soil by end of the experimental trials. The L. aspera treated contaminated soil showed enhancement in dehydrogenase (32.3%), urease (102.8%), alkaline phosphatase (174.4%), catalase (68.5%), amylase (76.16%), and cellulase (23.6%) activities by end of the experimental trials. Furthermore, there were significant variations in leaf area index, chlorophyll, and biomass contents of the experimental plant as against the initial level and control. Besides, the significant reduction in IC50 values (24–27.4%) of L. aspera samples grown in contaminated soil confirms the strong antioxidant enzymatic defense of the plant species against the crude oil associated abiotic stress. The Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis confirmed the uptake and metabolism of aliphatic hydrocarbons, aldehydes, alkyl halides, and nitro compounds by the experimental plant from the contaminated soil.
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The authors are grateful to the Department of Botany, Gauhati University, Guwahati, for providing all the laboratory facilities to conduct the research work.
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This work was supported by Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Department of Science & Technology, Government of India under Young Scientist Programme (SERB) Sanction No. SB/FT/LS-399/2012).
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H.D. developed the concept of this experimental work, provided the laboratory facilities and guided M.K. and P.C. M.K., P.C., and H.D. wrote the main manuscript. M.K. and P.C. carried out the experimental works. P.C. did the statistical analysis.
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Kalita, M., Chakravarty, P. & Deka, H. Understanding biochemical defense and phytoremediation potential of Leucas aspera in crude oil polluted soil. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29, 57579–57590 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-19922-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-19922-4