Accumulation and histological observation of heavy metal in brassica campestris l. And chenopodium album l. growing on sludge of pulp paper industry after secondary treatment

The discharged sludge from the pulp paper industry contains several organic and inorganic pollutants even after secondary treatment, which might cause toxicity in plants. The present study was designed to investigate the accumulation and histological findings of heavy metal in Brassica campestris and Chenopodium album growing on sludge waste of pulp paper industry after secondary treatment. The physico-chemical analysis of sludge viz., pH, total solid (2678 mg L^-1), total dissolved solid (2756 mg L^-1), total suspended solid (189 mg L^-1), chemical oxygen demand (43587 mg L^-1), biological oxygen demand (1569 mg L^-1), and electric conductivity (2067 ms cm^-1) contents in it were found beyond the permissible limit. The result of study revealed that the heavy metal content in sludge viz., Cu (59), Ni (66), Fe (153), Mn (9.37) Zn (12.31) and Mg (11.8 mg L^-1). Furthermore, the chlorophyll and carotenoids contents in B. campestris and C. album was (Chl-a 4.57-5.21 mg g^-1 fw), (chl-b 5.29-5.89 mg g^-1 fw), and (carotenoids 0.84-1.07 mg g^-1 fw) also high. The effect of heavy metals on antioxidants enzyme of B. campestris and C. album growing on organometallic containing sludge waste was observed to be high. Further, the concentrations of heavy metals in B. campestris and C. album were reported in descending order as Fe (211-208)> Cu (62.37-49.87)>Zn (56.67-34.26) > Mn (36.37-42.37) > Mg (35.69-13.64)> Ni (9.36-6.51 mg kg^-1) root> shoot> leaves respectively. Hence the result of study concluded that pulp paper industry sludge is the main source of metals accumulation in crop plants, and need to be appropriately treated before discharge in the environment for human and animal health safety.