GLDA exhibits advantages in the phytoextraction of Cd and Ni in land-applied municipal sludge.

Landscape utilization is a green and environment-friendly way of disposing of compost sludge. Garden plants can extract heavy metals from the sludge of land use, but the effect is not enough to be widely used. Chelating agents have been found to facilitate the extraction of heavy metals from plants and are expected to be popularized if they are also environmentally friendly. In this study, the effects of methylglycinediacetic acid trisodium salt (MGDA), tetrasodium glutamate diacetate (GLDA), and ethylene diamine tetraacetate (EDTA) on the extraction of Ni and Cd from compost sludge by Symphytum officinale L. were studied through the pot experiment. Compared with the control group, the application of 5–10 mmol kg⁻¹ MGDA and 1–9 mmol kg⁻¹ GLDA promoted plant growth, while the application of 3–4 mmol kg⁻¹ EDTA inhibited plant growth. The highest Ni content in shoots appeared in 4 mmol kg⁻¹ GLDA treatment, which was 4.2 times that of the CK group. The highest shoot Cd concentration appeared in 4 mmol kg⁻¹ EDTA treatment, 6.5 times that of CK. The promotion effects of the three reagents on the acid-extractable state of Cd were similar, while that of GLDA on the acid-extractable state of Ni was outstanding. The results of this study suggested that S. officinale could be a potential phytoextraction plant for Cd and Ni, and GLDA could friendly promote the Ni phytoextraction ability of the plant. The study provides a new and efficient method for phytoremediation of heavy metals in soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]