VATIS UPDATE Article

Researchers from Kuvempu University, India, have carried out a study which deals with a laboratory experiment on the usage of Salvinia molesta, Pistia stratiotes and Azolla pinnata in the removal of some heavy metals from ETCO Denim Pvt Ltd, Bijapur Company. It was observed that Pistia stratiotes removed more percentage of Nitrates, Salvinia molesta exhibited maximum percentage reduction for Manganese and Azolla pinnata was able to remove Sulphate from the effluent. The experimental study showed that these plants are suitable for effective removal of heavy metals.

The phytoremediation using aquatic plants is very effective and eco-friendly technology in the treatment of industrial effluents. This work revealed that the selected aquatic macrophytes are highly efficient in absorbing most of the pollutants from the effluent thereby reducing the pollution load. The plants are more efficient in removing the pollutants at 25% concentration of the effluent. Pistia and Salvinia were found to reduce the color of the effluent as compared to Azolla. Heavy metals Copper, Manganese, Iron, Nitrate and Phosphates are the major contaminants in the textile effluent.

The study explores the fact that textile industries discharged effluent having heavy metal used in various dyeing and printing processes that is toxic to the aquatic life. Pistia stratiotes, Salvinia molesta and Azolla pinata were found to play a comparatively key role in removal of heavy metals. It was observed that Pistia stratiotes removed more percentage of Nitrates, Salvinia molesta exhibited maximum percentage reduction for Manganese and Azolla pinnata was able to remove Sulphate from the effluent. The research findings have been published in International Journal of Environmental Sciences.