A review on Phytoremediation Potential of Aquatic Macrophytes of North Bihar, India

Abstract

North Bihar is occupied by large number of various types of wetlands like chaurs, swamps, dhar, man, ditches, lakes, ponds and pools which support the luxuriant growth of diverse types of macrophytes and also sustain the occurrence of several macro-invertebrate therein. There are more than 120 species of macrophytes reported from this region. These plants acts as valuable natural resources for the livelihood of the region in the form of food, vegetables, fodder and medicine. Moreover, there are increasing evidences suggesting increase of heavy metal pollution in the area due to both municipal and domestic waste. The accumulation of heavy metals like As, Cd, Cr, Pb and Cu has also threatened the habitat of various macrophytes. Consequently, the plants have also evolved the mechanism of phytoremediation of these elements mainly by bioaccumulation. There are several reports which proved that compared to edible crops, aquatic macrophytes show better tolerance to heavy metal stress owing to their higher growth rate and higher biomass under unfavorable environment. Present review focused on exploring the major aquatic macrophytes commonly occurring in wetlands of North Bihar and their utilization for phytoremediation of heavy metals and metalloid.