ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METAL AND PESTICIDE CONTAMINATION IN PADDY FIELDS AND DEVELOPMENT OF PHYTOREMEDIATION SYSTEM IN KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, KERALA, INDIARAHNA K.P., ARATHI T. , DELSE P. SEBASTIAN AND SATHEESH GEORGEAbstract Analysis of soil samples collected from various paddy fields in Kozhikode district was carried out to identify extent of heavy metal and pesticide contamination. Analysis by atomic absorption spectrometry revealed cadmium contamination in some of the paddy fields (Kuytheri and Balussery) in the district. GC analysis revealed that both organo chloride and organophosphate pesticide contamination was absent in paddy fields of Kozhikode district. Among the several ornamental plants evaluated for assessing cadmium phytoremediation potential, Impatiens walleriana Hook.f. showed highest phytoaccumulation potential. Thus the study revealed that, I.walleriana have the innate capacity for accumulation of appreciable quantity of cadmium from polluted soils and the plants could be used for removing the cadmium from cadmium contaminated soil. |