Impact of organic manure on the phytoremediation potential of Vetiveria zizanioides in chromium-contaminated soil

Abstract

Chromium is a pollutant present in electroplating waste water and its removal is necessary for the protection of the environment. Vetiveria zizanioides (VZ) was grown in chromium effluent concentrations of 50, 100 and 200 mg kg ⁻¹ soil amended with organic manure and the potential for phytoremediation was determined. The amounts of Cr in plant tissues (root and shoot), soil and percentage electrolyte leakage of VZ roots were analysed. From the results, VZ amended with organic manure showed the greatest potential for Cr removal because of its faster growth and larger biomass achieved over the whole length of the experiment. In this study, 92.25% Cr removal efficiency was obtained with a Cr concentration of 50 mg kg ⁻¹ soil and removal efficiencies of 90.5% and 85% were obtained with 100 and 200 mg kg⁻¹, respectively after a period of two months of VZ growth.

Keywords:

• chromium
• electroplating effluent
• phytoremeditation
• Vetiveria zizanioides

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all the colleagues who help to do the analysis. This research work was financially supported by a Research Grant-in-Aid from the University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.