Phytoremediation Techniques

 

Preeti Sinha*

Research Associate, Ministry of Jal Shakti, National River Conservation Directorate, New Delhi- 110003.

 

ABSTRACT:

Conventional treatment technologies are costly, time-consuming, and inefficient. Phytoremediation is a cost-effective emerging technology for treatment of wastewater using water plants. It is a waste utilization process with the help of specific water plants. Thus, selection of plants is the most important or significant aspect for phytoremediation success. The potential of aquatic plants can be enhanced by application of new and innovative approaches. These water plants help in removal of contaminants and heavy metals from polluted water. The prominent metal accumulator are water hyacinth, water lettuce and duckweed.

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Exposure of heavy metals (being non-biodegradable) into environment are serious concern in nature¹ as it reaches the food chain through plants and aquatic animals². Pollution of natural environment possesses a great threat to living beings. For existence of living forms water is important. However, directly or indirectly it is being polluted either by domestic or industrial waste released³. Thus, one of the greatest challenges is the supply of clean water to humans. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has provided discharge standards before or after treatment of effluents⁴. Water pollution can be controlled by treating wastewater generated through various treatment methods namely physical, chemical, and biological treatment methods⁵ such as activated sludge process, UV disinfection, Induced Gas Flotation, Supercritical Water Oxidation, SBR, MBBR, MBR etc., but these are time consuming and expensive. Hence, Phytoremediation fits well as is an inexpensive technique, eco-friendly⁶. It is used extensively for removal of contaminants from water with the help of plants, hence is knows as bioremediation process/ constructed wetland process. It is a technology that uses plants to degrade, immobilize contaminants from soil and water⁷.

 

 

The aim of the work is to provide a brief review of the literature concerning modern phytoremediation techniques that ca be used in wastewater treatment processes.

 

Phytoremediation Techniques:

Phytoremediation process includes: Phytoextraction, Phytodegradation, Phytovolatization, Rhizofiltration (Phytofiltration), Phyto-stabilization^8,9,10.

 

a)    Phytoextraction:

It involves uptake of heavy metal in the plant roots and their translocation into parts of plants above the ground level e.g. shoots. Hence, is also known as phytoaccumulation after which the plant parts can be harvested. It is a good technique for remediation of heavy metals from wastewater.^{11, 12, 13, 14}

b)    Phytodegradation:

Here in this process the enzymatic activity of the plant and their associated microorganisms helps in breakdown of organic contaminants into smaller molecule¹⁵.

c)     Phyto-stabilization:

Means restricting the movement of contaminants in soil and is a much safer alternative option. In this process plants acts as a barrier for percolation of water within soil. Hence, is a best process if it comes to restoration of surface water, ground water^{16, 17, 18, 19}

d)    Rhizofiltration:

Plant root play an incredibly significant role in this process, they must have widespread root system, should be able to accumulate varying concentrations of heavy metals, low maintenance cost. Thus, aquatic plants with fibrous root system can be used. Plants help in adsorption/absorption of contaminants restricting the movement of contaminants in underground water^{20, 21, 22, 23, 24}

e)     Phytovolatilization:

It is a process where pollutants get converted into volatile nature and then gets released into nature by plant’s stomata/are transpired. This shows that the plant possesses inherent qualities to treat contaminants^{25, 26}.

 

 

Fig.2 Process Diagram of Phytoremediation.

 

Water plants used for Phytoremediation:

Water plants acts as natural absorber for contaminants and heavy metals. Thus, removal of heavy metals along with other contaminants is the most proficient method. Hence, selection of plants for heavy metal accumulation is essential to enhance phytoremediation.^{27, 28, 29, 30, 31}. For removal of heavy metals from wastewater the mostly used free-floating plants are Water Hyacinth, duckweed, and water lettuce^{32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41}.

 

Table:1 Water Plants Accumulation Potential

 

Fig.1 Diagram showing Phytoremediation Process⁶⁰

 

Characteristic of Phytoremediation Plants:

For an eco-sustainable technology plants must have following characteristics: fast growth rate (pH, nutrient availability influences growth and potential of plants), good biomass yield, uptake of heavy metals, ability to transport heavy metals, ability to tolerate heavy metals on parts above ground^61,62,63.

 

Advantages of phytoremediation:

Phytoremediation is used extensively as it has number of advantages. Treatment of wastewater by use of plants seems to be more effective than traditional methods used. The root system of the plants can protect the soil from erosion and provides location for growth of microorganisms. Another advantage of Phytoremediation is that it is a natural process, is economical, easy to operate, effective in removing contaminants and heavy metals. However, it has some limitations such as shallow root system resulting in limited depth of soil treatment⁶³.

 

CONCLUSION:

Unlike other conventional technology, phytoremediation technology can be effectively used to treat large volume of polluted water. Phytoremediation is a new concept to treat contaminated water with the help of water plants. This technology not only treats contaminants but is cost effective as aquatic plants benefits to treat contaminants are huge. These plants perform important a role in the remediation of heavy metals thus seems to be advantageous for the sustainability of whole ecosystem.

 

CONFLICT OF INTEREST:

The authors have no conflicts of interest regarding this investigation.

 

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Accepted on 02.12.2021           © RJPT All right reserved

Research J. Pharm. and Tech 2022; 15(11):5359-5362.