Heavy Metal Accumulation and DNA Changes in Plants Around an Electronic Waste Dumpsite Suggested Environmental Management Plan

This research studied accumulation of heavy metals in soil and three plant species in E-waste dumpsite in Kalasin Province, Thailand. DNA changes in the plants were accessed by DNA fingerprinting and genomic template stability (GTS) analyses. Concentrations of the metals were in the order of Zn > Pb > Cd > Cr. The Bioconcentration Factor (BCF), Translocation Factor (TF), and Enrichment Factor (EF) values showed that Typha angustifolia was suitable for phytoremediation of Cd, Pb, and Zn. However, after the process of phytoremediation, appropriate abolishment of the heavy-metal containing plants should be taken to prevent the metals from passing along the food web. The GTS values ranged from 54.23 to 69.35%. These results suggest that heavy metals have affected the genotoxicity of plants grown in the electronic waste dumpsite.