Pollution reduction investigation of soil and nutritional plants contaminated with lead using natural zeolite

Abstract

Transport system is one of the heavy metals occurrence sources in the environment in Lithuania. Heavy metals have a negative toxic impact on all living organisms, such as: flora, fauna, and human beings. Increased heavy metal solubility reduces the solubility of nutrients, resulting in a decrease of plant available nutrients. The zeolite is used for environmental purposes. The research results of natural zeolite clinoptilolite inserted to the lead-polluted soil nutrients effect on test plants (lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.)) ability to absorb and reduce the lead concentration in the soil are presented in the paper. Garden cress accumulates lead about 10-12% more than lettuce. It is appropriate to insert not more than 20% zeolite according to amount of the soil, in order to reduce lead concentration in polluted soils and food crops.