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My research focuses mainly on heavy metal and metalloid pollution in soil, water and plant species. I work both on content of heavy metals in different environmental segments and also uptake of heavy metals in different plant species and potential health risk assessment.
Currently on -going project (2022-24)
Effect of biochar on heavy metal availability and plant uptake from the contaminated soils
We investigated the effects of various biochar doses on different types of contaminated soils from European Union (EU) member states, assessing the availability of heavy metals both in the rhizosphere zone and in the edible parts of plants.
This project was funded by the Crafoord Foundation (2022–2023) and led by Associate Prof. Anna Augustsson (PI) and Dr. Arifin Sandhi (Co-PI) from the Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences at Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden.
We have published an article based on the data from this project, which can be found in the 'What's New' section of this website
WhatsApp Video 2024-03-07 at 11.44.14 AM.mp4
Sampling of aquatic plant species, sediment and water from the streams
on -going project (2022-24)
Heavy metal content in the aquatic plant species and potential use of floating wetland systems for removal of heavy metals from the contaminated water.
We completed our project about assessment of heavy metal content in the sediment, water and aquatic plants species and their potential for floating wetland system in the contaminated glassworks sites located in Kalmar-Kronoberg municipalities.
This project was funded by the Swedish Engineers Association (2022–2023) and involves both Linnaeus University and Halmstad University.
We have published an article based on the data from this project. You could find the article in whats new section of this website.
Using bioenergy plant species (Salix spp.) for phytormediation of contaminated sediment, Oskarshamn, SWEDEN
The removal of heavy metals from the excavated harbour sediment in an environment-friendly way has not investigated yet, especially in the harbours located in South-east of Sweden. Previous works have found that sediment from those harbours high level of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb) on it. Using plant-based heavy metal remediation or Phytoremediation could be an effective and eco-friendly method that could apply for cleaning up this excavated sediment from there.
For the latest publication following link;
Aquatic moss and phytofiltration of arsenic
High arsenic levels in mining water, especially from iron mines in northern Sweden, represent a major environmental concern. When this water escapes the mines, it raises arsenic concentrations in the surrounding soil and aquatic ecosystems, making the toxin highly available to local plants and wildlife.
This study sought a sustainable, eco-friendly solution by investigating the potential of aquatic moss to rapidly remove arsenic from contaminated water. Our findings show that this aquatic moss significantly lowers arsenic levels in a very short period, proving to be an efficient hyperfiltering species.
Our research on arsenic uptake and the environmental factors affecting accumulation has been published across two papers in Elsevier's Environmental Pollution and Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering.
Click following links;
Phytofiltration of arsenic by aquatic moss (Warnstorfia fluitans)
Arsenic related health risk by consumption of rice
Presence of high levels of arsenic in the groundwater has been considered one of the major environmental disasters in the south-East Asia region. The groundwater resources have been used for both drinking water and irrigation purposes. The high arsenic in the groundwater could transfer to the food chain as plants could accumulate arsenic from both surrounding soil and water. Due to high water demand for production, the farmers in Asian countries have used high amount of groundwater based irrigation in their agricultural fields
The aim of this investigation was to assess arsenic content in commercial hybrid rice cultivars and local aromatic rice cultivars in one of arsenic hotspots located in Bangladesh. We have also calculated health risk due to the consumption of those rice cultivars.
The published paper in the J. Environmental Monit. & Assess. (Springer-Nature) available in the following link (open access)
Salix spp. and their arsenic phytoremediation potential
Saix is one of the most popular short rotation energy crop species in Europe. A number of local and commercial varieties have developed for a long period of time and use them for bioenergy production especially in Scandinavian countries. Meanwhile, high arsenic (carcinogenic metalloid) content in soil and water is also a problem for developed countries, where arsenic has been used for wood impregnation for a long time.
Our short investigation has found some new information about arsenic accumulation in 2 Swedish commercial Salix clones and also one from Slovakia. We have done an investigation in controlled climate chamber conditions at Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
The findings have been disseminated in several international conferences including, ICOBTE, 2011, As conference 2012.
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