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Heavy metals uptake and its impact on the growth dynamics of the riparian shrub Ricinus communis L. along Egyptian heterogenic habitats

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Abstract

Heavy metals are well known for their toxicity and become significant environmental pollution with a continually rising technology and public outcry to ensure the safest and healthiest environment. The present study aims to investigate the uptake capability of heavy metals and its impact on the growth dynamics of Ricinus communis L. (castor bean), along various habitats in Qalyubia Province, Egypt. Three composite plants and soil samples were collected from four different habitats: urban (residential area), canal banks, field edges, and drain banks. The samples were analyzed for nutrients and heavy metals. At the same time, forty quadrats (5 × 5 m) were selected to represent the micro-variations of castor bean in the selected habitats to determine its growth criteria and normalized vegetation index (NDVI). The lowest size index, volume, and number of leaves of castor bean were recorded along canal banks and they were characterized by high soil heavy metal concentration, especially Zn, Cu, and Ni, while the highest values were recorded along field edges with lower heavy metal concentration. Moreover, the NDVI indicated that castor bean from most studied habitats, except field edges, was healthy population. This study revealed that the leaves collected from all habitats were considered to be toxic with Cu. The bioconcentration factor (BF) of the investigated heavy metals was greater than 1. The BF order for heavy metals uptake by castor bean leaves was Fe > Ni > Mn > Cu > Zn. Consequently, the species selected in the present study can be used as a biomonitor of these heavy metal polluted soils. Moreover, it could be used as a phytoremediator, taken into consideration its use in all medicinal purposes.

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Acknowledgements

The authors extend their appreciation to the scientific research deanship for funding this article by Taif University Research Supporting Project number (TURSP-2020/199), Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia. They also thank Dr. Nashwa Maghraby, professor of the geographic department, Faculty of Women for Arts, Science and Education, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt; for her assistance in Meteorological information of the study area.

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  1. Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif, 21944, Saudi Arabia

    Tarek M. Galal & Hatim Al-Yasi

  2. Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Cairo, 11790, Egypt

    Tarek M. Galal

  3. Botany Department, Faculty of Women for Arts, Science and Education, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

    Basma Essa

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  1. Tarek M. Galal
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TG proposed the study, analyzed the data, and revised the manuscript; BE carried out the field work, analyzed plant and soil, made the remote sensing, and wrote the manuscript; and HE analyzed the data and revised the manuscript.

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Galal, T.M., Essa, B. & Al-Yasi, H. Heavy metals uptake and its impact on the growth dynamics of the riparian shrub Ricinus communis L. along Egyptian heterogenic habitats. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28, 37158–37171 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-13383-x

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