Lavender as a Bioindicator: Bioaccumulation Assessment of Cd, Pb, and Zn

This study explores the bioaccumulation behavior of heavy metals (cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn)) in lavender (Lavandula spp.) cultivated under controlled greenhouse conditions to assess its potential in sustainable phytoremediation. The plants were grown in pots filled with either unpolluted soil or soil artificially enriched with cadmium, lead, or zinc at concentrations exceeding the normal (Cd 1 mg/kg d.w.; Pb 20 mg/kg d.w.; Zn 100 mg/kg d.w.), alert (Cd 3 mg/kg d.w.; Pb 50 mg/kg d.w.; Zn 300 mg/kg d.w.), and intervention (Cd 5 mg/kg d.w.; Pb 100 mg/kg d.w.; Zn 600 mg/kg d.w.) thresholds set for sensitive land use. A comparative analysis of two lavender varieties (lavender and lavandin) over a four-month period revealed an accumulation trend of Pb > Cd > Zn. Empirical modeling indicated that cadmium uptake followed a linear pattern, lead accumulation conformed closely to the Mitscherlich model, while zinc uptake did not align well with any of the tested models. Overall, the results emphasize the potential of lavender species in developing biomimetic approaches for heavy metal remediation and contribute valuable insights into sustainable soil decontamination practices.