EXPLORING THE CONTRASTS BETWEEN TITHONIA ROTUNDIFOLIA AND LANTANA CAMARA REGARDING CARBON SEQUESTRATION AND PHYTOREMEDIATION POTENTIAL IN LEAD (Pb) AND COPPER (Cu) CONTAMINATED SOILS

Confronting climate change and environmental degradation, particularly from mining pollution, is imperative. Mining not only releases heavy metals into the environment but also poses risks to local populations. Our study delves into the efficacy of Lantana camara and Tithonia rotundifolia in purifying heavy metal-laden soils and promoting carbon sequestration.

Fieldwork was conducted in Zambian mining areas, where we gathered soil and plant specimens. The plant matter was partitioned to ascertain heavy metal absorption and to track the decomposition process. The decomposition yielded leachate, which was tested for dissolved organic carbon (DOC) using equipment from the University of Georgia: a Shimadzu TOC-5000A Total Organic Carbon Analyzer and a Shimadzu TOC-Vcsh. This research is funded by the National Science Foundation, Grant No. 2107177.