Heavy Metals Concentration in Adenodolichos rhomboideus (O. Hoffm.) Harms.

A study was carried out in the mining zone, south east of the DRC, characterized by high soil concentrations of Cu, Co, Zn and Pb. This study aimed to (1) evaluate the contamination of leaves of Adenodolichos rhomboideus by some trace metals (Cu, Co, Zn and Pb) as a function of pH and total concentrations in the soil; and (2) determine the phytoremediation and phytostabilisation potential of this species. Samples of leaves were either washed or left unwashed. Transfer and accumulation of metals were evaluated as a biological concentration factor (BCF), translocation factor (TF) and bio-accumulation coefficient (BAC). Soil pH values varied from 6.2 to 6.5. Soil heavy metals concentrations varied highly. Those in washed leaves minerals concentrations were largely reduced. All soil values differed (p<0.05) except Cu concentration. For unwashed leaves concentrations, sites differed (p<0.05) and Zn concentration differed (p<0.05) between topographies. For washed leaves, only Zn concentration was affected by sites. A. rhomboideus supported soil contaminated with Cu, Co, Zn and Pb; fodder contained potentially toxic Cu concentrations for sheep. It can be used in phytoremediation, in phytostabilisation and in phytoextraction of soil contaminated by Zn, Pb and Co and Zn.