Phytoremediation Assessment of <i>Mentha crispa\nL.</i> in Zinc-Contaminated Oxisols: Tolerance and Accumulation\nDynamics

This study assessed\nthe phytoremediation potential of Mentha crispa L. grown in Oxisol contaminated with\nvarying zinc concentrations. Mentha crispa was cultivated in soil with Zn levels from 0 to 1920 mg kg<sup>–1</sup>. Growth parameters, Zn concentrations in plant parts, bioaccumulation,\nand translocation factors were measured. The results revealed that Mentha crispa exhibited a high tolerance to elevated\nZn levels, accumulating up to 1875 mg kg<sup>–1</sup> in its\nleaves and 2047 mg kg<sup>–1</sup> in its roots. The bioaccumulation\nfactor ranged from 1.2 to 4.5, and the translocation factor ranged\nfrom 1.2 to 2.7, indicating effective Zn uptake and distribution within\nthe plant. The metal extraction rates varied across treatments, with\nthe estimated time for Zn removal ranging from 12 to 34 years. These\nfindings underscore the suitability of Mentha crispa as a candidate for phytoremediation of Zn-contaminated tropical\nsoils, particularly Oxisols, which are characterized by high metal\nadsorption capacity. Additionally, its ability to produce essential\noils enhances its viability for integrated environmental and economic\napplications.