Comparative Physiology of Arthrocnemum Indicum and Tamarix Gallica Under Aliminum Alone or Combined with Salt

In order to assess the ecological risk generated by the accumulation of heavy metals in saline soils, several studies had been carried out to determine the ability of plants to reduce the effect of heavy metals in polluted soils. Therefore, this study was established on plants growing in soil artificially contaminated with aluminum (Al) and was used to determine their phytoremediation capabilities. This research was conducted on two halophytes Arthrocnemum indicum and Tamarix gallica. The effects of different concentrations of Al (200, 500 and 800) µM alone or combined with NaCl (200 mM) on growth, the uptake of Al and the putative impacts on photosynthesis were determined. The results revealed that Al metals altered the growth and development of Arthrocnemum indicum and Tamarix gallica. The metals’ accumulation was depending on species, their concentrations and even the stress levels. The root system was the main accumulating organ. The tested concentrations did not influence negatively the plant metabolism and the photosynthesis processes. These observations indicated that these species owned various adoption schemes to Al and making them a good candidate for heavy metals phytoremediation in salt-polluted areas.