Innovative approach of sewage water restoration with vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides) in North India

• Published in: Desalination and water treatment 2022-06, Vol.261, p.76-82
• Main Authors: Adhikary, Kunal, Mandal, Tapas, Majumder, Jayoti, Jat, Rajkumar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bioconcentration factor; Phytoremediation; Translocation factor; Vetiver grass; Water treatment
• ISSN: 1944-3986
• DOI: 10.5004/dwt.2022.28536

Water pollution is a big concern in today’s world, and it is particularly acute in a few Indian states. Water pollution causes serious health problems as well as a loss of output and crop/soil production. A study was conducted in the village of Kala Sanghian in Jalandhar, Punjab, where residents are exposed to numerous health risks as a result of contaminated water. To address the problem, an experiment based on the floating garden concept was set up to reduce waste-water pollution. The research is primarily focused on the phytoremediation efficacy of vetiver grass. Concentrations of various elements such as Al3+, Cr6+, Fe3+, Zn2+, and Pb2+ were measured in the control and experimental plots. The root of the vetiver grass has the following uptake ability: Fe3+ > Al3+ > Cr6+ > Zn2+ > Pb2+. The bioconcentration factor value of the experimental plot for Pb2+ (2.2826) and Cr6+ (108.72) is significantly higher than the control (0.4651 and 40.711, respectively). Translocation factors (TF) greater than one indicate that the plant is effective at transporting that particular metal from root to shoot tissue. The range of TF in control plot is (1.5 to 0.19) and for experimental plot it is 0.09–0.7. The presented results could be compared to “rhizofiltration”, which is the removal of aqueous pollutants by the plant root system.