Assessing the Potential of Guadua angustifolia for Phytoremediation of Severely Contaminated Soils

Severe heavy metal contamination in soils poses significant environmental and health risks, particularly in mining-affected regions of the Philippines. This study evaluated the phytoremediation potential of Guadua angustifolia ( iron bamboo) for nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), and lead (Pb) in soils exceeding 1,000 mg·kg⁻¹. Propagules were cultivated in spiked soils under controlled conditions for 365 days, with soil and plant tissues analyzed using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. Paired-samples t-tests revealed significant reductions in soil metal concentrations, with Ni showing the highest removal (47.8%), followed by Cu (22.9%) and Pb (18.0%). Bioconcentration factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF) analyses indicated that G. angustifolia functions as a phytoextractor for Ni (BCF = 5.45, TF = 1.05), a moderate phytostabilizer for Cu (BCF = 1.01, TF = 0.64), and a weak stabilizer or excluder for Pb (BCF = 0.38, TF = 0.54). Growth performance, assessed through dry biomass, was not significantly affected by metal contamination (t(10) = 0.339, p = 0.742), demonstrating high physiological tolerance. These results highlight G. angustifolia as a functionally versatile species capable of simultaneous Ni phytoextraction and Cu/Pb stabilization, supporting its potential role in ecological restoration and soil rehabilitation initiatives. The study provides empirical evidence for incorporating this native bamboo into sustainable, low-cost phytoremediation strategies for multi-metal contaminated sites in tropical regions.