Phytoremediation of selected heavy metals contaminated water by Amaranthus hybridus in hydroponic system

Abstract

Contamination of heavy metals in wastewater is of growing concern not only for aquatic biodiversity but also for human health. Different physical and chemical methods have been traditionally utilized for the removal of these heavy metals. However, in the present study, the phytoremediation capacity of the Amaranthus hybridus (Indian cholai) plants was investigated using hydroponic technology. Instead of using the nutrient solution to meet plant growth requirements in hydroponic systems, partially treated wastewater can be directly fed to the roots of the plant. Plants were grown for 5 weeks in an artificial wastewater solution with Nickel (Ni), Iron (Fe), and Strontium (Sr) to estimate their removal rates from the . The plants exhibit removal rates of 99.86 %, 87.09 %, and 70.25 % for Ni, Fe, and Sr respectively. The polluting metals were shown to accumulate these heavy metals through roots and translocate them to the shoots and floral section. The bioconcentration factor for Nickel, Iron and Strontium was found to be 0.706, 0.68, and 1.08 respectively. The translocation factor was also calculated and was found to be 1.52, 1.77, and 4.34 respectively. The current investigation found that A. hybridus has the potential to be a Ni, Fe, and Sr hyperaccumulator.