Influence of Graphene oxide on cadmium concentration in maize plant: implications for contaminant uptake and remediation strategies

ABSTRACT

The use of Graphene Oxide (GO) for heavy metal remediation in soil and plants shows great potential for its efficiency, selectivity, and low environmental impact. This study presents the results of a pot experiment investigating the adsorption behaviour of Cadmium (Cd) on GO and the effects of Cd and GO on soil pH, biomass production, and Cd concentration in maize plants. The study found that the pseudo-second-order model was the most suitable model to describe the adsorption behaviour of Cd on GO, followed by the Lagergren model. Results indicated that both Cd and GO have significant effects on soil pH, with GO having a positive and Cd having a negative effect. GO was found to mitigate the negative effects of Cd on biomass, with acting as a chelating agent to reduce the toxicity of Cd and improve nutrient uptake in maize plants. Study found that the GO resulted in a significant increase in chlorophyll content in maize plants, while Cd were found to increase Cd concentration in roots and shoots. Results suggest that GO has the potential to be used as a soil amendment to mitigate the negative effects of Cd on soil and plant health.

KEYWORDS:

• Graphene oxide
• cadmium
• adsorption behaviour
• biomass production
• Cd concentration

Acknowledgement

I want to thank my family, who gave me the opportunity to finish this paper (Dr. Farhang Rassaei, Mahdokht Massoud, Dr. Liza Rassaei, Dr. Farshad Rassaei, Dr. Janet Rassaei, and Farhad Rassaei).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Availability of data and materials

The datasets during and/or analysed during the current study available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Authors’ contributions

Farzad Rassaei: design of the work, the acquisition, analysis, interpretation of data, writing the manuscript.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Farzad Rassaei

Dr. Farzad Rassaei is a soil chemist with a Ph.D. degree. Over the past few years, he has made significant contributions to the field through his research publications. His work has focused on various topics, including soil cadmium and lead contamination, plant uptake of cadmium and lead, kinetics of heavy metals, the role of biochar and organic amendments, greenhouse gas emissions, water management and water quality. Additionally, he has been a reviewer for several esteemed international journals, contributing to the peer–review process and ensuring the quality of scientific publications in the field.