There is a lack of information concerning the effect of biosorption process on plant growth under heavy metals stress. For this purpose, a hydroponic experiment was carried out to evaluate the ability of cotton stalks pretreated with sodium hydroxide as a biosorbent material on mitigating harmful effects of Cd, Pb and Ni on some vegetable crops. The experiment was consisted of three hydroponic treatments i.e., contaminated nutrient solution with or without the biosorbent material, and the control treatment (uncontaminated nutrient solution). The biosrbent material removed considerable amounts of heavy metals from the contaminated nutrient solution, especially Pb2+ ions. Heavy metals contamination reduced fresh and dry weights of shoots and roots. Macro- and micronutrients concentration has been affected by heavy metals contamination. The accumulation of heavy metals increased extremely in roots as compared with shoots. Heavy metals concentration in roots reached the excessive levels, in particular, in the second treatment (without biosorbent material). The biosorbent material reduced the accumulation of Pb and Ni in shoots and roots. However, the concentration of Cd increased.
In conclusion, cotton stalks pretreated with sodium hydroxide could be a promising biosorbent material for the removal of heavy metals from wastewater prior to irrigation.