The effect of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete on the Survival and Growth of Launaea cornuta and Sporobolus jacquemontii grown in Heavy Metal Polluted Soils: A Greenhouse Study

Authors

  • S. MKUMBO Ardhi University
  • W. MWEGOHA University of Dodoma
  • C. KIHAMPA

Abstract

This study aimed at evaluating the effect of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) (waste from construction
activities) on the survival and growth of Launaea cornuta (Oliv & Hiern) C. Jeffrey and Sporobolus
jacquemontii K., grown in heavy metal polluted soils using pot experiments. Changes in soil pH, extractable
metal content, survival, growth, biomass production and increase of number of leaves in plants were
determined. Results show that the plants survival rate in heavy metal contaminated soil increased with increase
of AAC. Treatment with 33.94t/ha of AAC has shown better growth of both L. cornuta and S. jacquemontii
(number of leaves developed, plant height and biomass) as compared to the 22.63t/ha of AAC. The AAC
amendments provided extra sorption sites thereby reducing the bioavailable portion of the metal. Moreover, it
raised the soil pH (from 6.8 to 7.8.) favoring precipitation of the metal ions in the soil, thereby reducing metal
toxicity to plants. The present study has established that soil amendment by addition of AAC enhanced plant
growth in soils polluted with elevated heavy metal levels, as well as minimizing the bio-available portion for
plant uptake. These effects suggest that AAC has the potential for use in phytoremediation of heavy metal
contaminated soils.


Key words: AAC, heavy metal, soil, stabilizing agents, pollution, toxicity, L. cornuta, S. jacquemontii

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Published

2020-02-10

How to Cite

MKUMBO, S., MWEGOHA, W., & KIHAMPA, C. (2020). The effect of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete on the Survival and Growth of Launaea cornuta and Sporobolus jacquemontii grown in Heavy Metal Polluted Soils: A Greenhouse Study. The Journal of Building and Land Development, 20(1&2), 31-40. Retrieved from http://journals.aru.ac.tz/index.php/JBLD/article/view/248

Issue

Vol. 20 No. 1&2 (2019): JBLD

Section

Articles

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