Contamination of lead indicates one of the major threats to soil system. Phytoremediation technique utilized plants which are able to tolerate and accumulate metals within in their tissues. It has recently been suggested that biofuel plants are more suitable for both utilization and remediation of metal contaminated soil. This study reported Pb phytoremediation potential of Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L. in comparison with Sesamum indicum L. in the framework of a pot-experiment. Plants were subjected to seven Pb concentrations (0, 100, 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 mg kg^-1 soil) for 12 weeks. Our results demonstrated that both C. tetragonoloba and S. indicum were able to tolerate Pb concentrations up to 1000 mg kg^-1 which confirms the plant ability to grow well in higher Pb levels. Significant metal accumulation was observed in root along with reduced biomass for both plants species. Furthermore, both plant species could possibly be used for phytostabilization, with success in marginally polluted soils where their growth would not be impaired and decontamination of Pb could be maintained at satisfying levels. However, bioconcentration factor (BCF), bioaccumulation coefficient (BAC) and translocation factor (TF) values proposed that C. tetragonoloba was more efficient for phytoremediation than S. indicum at higher Pb levels.

In this report an expeditious, manageable and uncomplicated advancement has been demonstrated in the field of nanoparticles for sensing dithiocarbamates (DTCs) Ziram, Zineb, and Maneb pesticides in environment and juice samples using cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB)-capped copper nanoparticles (CTAB-Cups) as colorimetric probe. The probe was prepared in aqueous solvent using CTAB and hydrazine monohydrate. Localized surface plasmon resonance band of the prepared sensor was scanned by UV–visible spectrophotometer. Further Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), zeta potential and dynamic light scattering (DLS) techniques were employed to reveal the interaction, functionality, surface characteristics and particle size. Probe was used competently for colorimetric sensing of Ziram, Zineb, and Maneb belonging to the DTCs group of pesticides. Sudden change in color from reddish wine to yellow was noted visibly and monitored on spectrophotometer, FTIR, EDX, zeta potential and DLS. The probe indicated very susceptible and selective colorimetric detection of DTCs within the range of 97.9–489.3 ng/ml, 8.8–44.1 ng/ml and 8.4–42.4 ng/ml for Ziram, Zineb and Maneb. The designed method yielded very rapid and organized procedure for detection of DTCs with minimal sample preparations. The method was used for the analysis of DTCs spiked tap water, tomato extract, mango juice, and recoveries of DTCs were obtained within 95.8–108.5% with relative standard deviation within 0.14–1.11%.

The study was carried out to examine the different water quality parameters for groundwater of taluka Ratodero, district Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan. The samples from hand pumps were collected from 25 different locations during October 2019. The parameters like Electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), pH, total hardness, Cl, alkalinity, SO₄, Na, Mg, K, Ca, Fe, Zn, Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr, Cu, Mn, Co, As and fluoride were examined. The groundwater was also tested for suitability for irrigation based on sodium adsorption ratio, Kelly's index, permeability index, sodium percentage (Na%), salinity hazard and Wilcox diagram. The samples were also examined for water quality index (WQI) and contamination index. The statistical analyses were carried out by calculating cluster analysis, correlation coefficient and hydrochemical facies between different parameters to evaluate the water quality. The results of physico-chemical parameters were compared with World Health Organization guideline. Twelve samples (48%) were not suitable for drinking on the basis of EC and TDS, and results of chloride and fluoride of 36% samples were not fit for drinking purposes and 9 (36%) samples were of poor quality based on WQI, contaminated index (C_d), Pb, Ni and Cd. The chronic daily intake indices and hazard quotient indices were calculated, and results showed that Ratodero city groundwater was of concern for human health. The treatment methods are recommended for unsuitable groundwater samples for drinking purpose. The results of water quality for irrigation indicated that 60–80% of the samples were suitable for irrigation.

Contamination of chromium signifies one of the major threats to soil system. Phytoremediation is a promising technique to reclaim metal-contaminated soil using plants which are capable to tolerate and accumulate heavy metals within in their tissues. The experiment reported in this article was carried out with six biofuel plant species, Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, Glycine max, Avena sativa, Abelmoschus esculentus, Sesamum indicum and Guizotia abyssinica, were subjected to eight Cr concentrations (0.5, 2.5, 5, 10, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg kg⁻¹ soil) to investigate Cr toxicity, tolerance and accumulation. After 12 weeks of experiment, Cr phytotoxicity on morphological and biochemical parameters were evaluated. For six plant species, seed germination and most of growth parameters were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced under high Cr stress. Chlorophyll contents were also decreased with increased Cr concentrations. Accumulation of Cr was higher in roots than shoot in all studied plants. Significant Cr accumulation was in the order of C. tetragonoloba > A. sativa > A. esculentus > S. indicum > G. max > G. abyssinica. Bioconcentration factor, bioaccumulation coefficient, translocation factor and phytoremdiation ratio suggested that C. tetragonoloba, A. sativa and A. esculentus being more tolerant; having higher Cr accumulation and could be a high efficient plants for reclamation of Cr-contaminated soils.