Rumex acetosa L. application on the bioremediation of soil polluted by combined heavy metals of Cd, Cu and Pb

Enrichment capacity and transfer capability of R. acetosa were studied in situ at the different growth stages, and the soil was polluted by the two levels (T-1: Cd 0.70 mg/kg+Cu 114.37 mg/kg+Pb 138.94 mg/kg; T-2: Cd 1.34 mg/kg+Cu 164.90 mg/kg+Pb 176.19 mg/kg) of combined heavy metals. The results showed that the content of Cd, Cu and Pb in roots increased first, then decreased and increased again as R. acetosa growing in each test area. And the content of Cd, Cu and Pb in shoots showed the same trend as roots. The enrichment capacity of R. acetosa to Cu and Pb was improved as the level of heavy metal pollution increased at the different growth stages, while the Cd was in inverse proportion to the concentration. But its enrichment capacity and transfer capability of Cd to be significantly higher than Cu and Pb. R. acetosa application on the bioremediation of soil polluted by combined heavy metals of Cd, Cu and Pb showed great potential.