Title: Phytoremediation of chromium(VI)-laden waste by Eichhornia crassipes

Authors: Gurdeep Singh, Alok Sinha

Addresses: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad 826 004, India. ' Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad 826 004, India

Abstract: The aim of the present investigation is to develop a suitable phytoremediation technology for the procumbent removal of chromium(VI) in tannery wastewater. Water hyacinth species, Eichhornia crassipes, was chosen to remediate chromium from synthetic wastewater. Present study revealed 88% Cr(VI) removal in synthetic wastewater sample within 48 hours of the study at all concentrations ranging from 5 to 50 mg/L. Phytoremediation process is faster in earlier stages of the experiment after which it slows down probably due to reduction in the initial concentration of Cr(VI). During the entire period of observation, i.e. 20 days, the Cr(VI) concentration went down below 97% of initial concentration. Uptake rate of Cr(VI) by E. crassipes has been shown to vary linearly with the initial concentration of Cr(VI). The plants tolerated chromium for the entire duration of the experiments at all concentrations. The process could be modelled for the study range.

Keywords: phytoremediation; water hyacinth; Eichhornia crassipes; chromium; tannery wastewater; wastewater treatment; modelling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2011.039256

International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, 2011 Vol.14 No.1/2/3/4, pp.33 - 42

Published online: 29 Jan 2015 *

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