Bioremediation of Soil and Water Contaminated with As, Hg, Cd, and Pb Using Heliconia psittacorum

Abstract

The activities of illegal mining prevalent in most part of Ghana has immensely contributed to the pollution of heavy metals and metalloids in both water and soils. This has resulted in the contraction of diseases associated with the ingestion of these pollutants. The use of macrophytes has been identified as one of the most cost-effective and efficient means to remediate these pollutants from the environment. This study employed the use of Heliconia psittacorum in remediating soils and water contaminated with Hg, As, Cd, and Pb. Uptake of Hg, As, Cd, and Pb by this aquatic plant species from metal-contaminated water and soil was studied in the batch culture experiment. The plants were irrigated with standard heavy metal simulated solutions. After 20, 40, and 60 days, the plant samples were subjected to heavy metal analysis by mass spectroscopy. The macrophyte was able to remediate all the four selected heavy metals in larger quantities and therefore can be used to remediate polluted water and soil.