Phytoremediation of Heavy Metals from Irrigation Water, Faisalabad, Pakistan

Abstract

A technique called phytoremediation makes use of a plant’s root system to draw contaminants, primarily heavy metals (zn, cr, and ni), from the surrounding rhizosphere. These are the end result of human actions such the use of pesticides, waste byproducts, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. This analysis focuses on soil contamination removal since prolonged exposure to heavy metals can cause respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular disorders, cancer of the liver, lungs, and kidneys, among other problems. In order to immobilise metals and change their harmful states into less toxic states, plants use a process called phytoremediation and tactics like phyto(rhizo) stabilisation. Chromium 6 is changed into chromium 3 through phytostabalization, a process in which plants are utilised to change a pollutant’s more hazardous form into a less hazardous volatile form that may be transported. Macrophytes, such as Arbidopsis thaliana and Cgara canescens, have been found to use phytofiltration and phytovolatization to remove radioactive and heavy metals. Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) and sun flower (Helianthus annus) are suitable plants for rhizofilteration, which is essential to prevent environmental and health problems. A heavy metal that is widely present in soil is cadmium. Cd can be removed physically in a number of ways, with membrane filtration and adsorption being the most often utilised techniques for doing so. Chemical (in which the addition of barium acetate caused coagulation) and biological (which uses microorganisms such bacteria, yeast species, fungal aspergillus, and green algea chlorel for the Bioremediation of Cd.) approaches are also employed for the removal of cadmium. In essence, phytoremediation uses the already-existing power of plant systems. This approach is more economical and environmentally benign than conventional approaches for cleaning up contaminated soil and ground water. Since drinking water contaminated with heavy metals is thought to be the primary cause of death in Pakistan, getting rid of these pollutants is our top priority.