Tobacco plant's capacity for uranium adoption

Abstract

This paper presents the uranium adoption aptitude by the shoots Virginia and Burley, two varieties of a tobacco plant (Nicotiana tabacum L.), bred in natural conditions. Plants were grown on uranium mine tailings with an average uranium content of 15.3 mg kg-1. Each shoot sample was cross-sectioned into five uniform groups of leaves and stem segments. Statistical analysis of the results showed a substantial variance in uranium uptake subject to the section elderliness and origin of the parts. The highest concentrations of uranium values recorded in leaves of Burleys and Virginias nearest root shoot sections were 4.18 mg kg-1and 3.50 mg kg-1, respectively. These are 60 times higher rates than those previously published for leaves of cultivars grown under similar conditions. Taking into account the level of soil contamination, the content of accumulated uranium demonstrates prospective uranium hyperaccumulatory properties of tobacco plant and its potential utilization in phytoremediation of uranium contaminated mediums.