Use of Terrestrial Plants for Phytoremediation of Pollutants from Solutions

Abstract

Contamination of water resources by emerging contaminants, radionuclides, heavy metals and nitrate is a critical problem that adversely affects the biotope. Constructed wetlands, as one of the least energy consuming methods have become an interesting option for wastewater treatment. In this study, terrestrial plants were used for phytoremediation of important pollutants from waste water. Therefore, uptake rates of cesium, metformin, arsenic and nitrate in hydroponic mesocosem constructed wetland were studied. When initial Cs concentrations were 2.35, 7.90 and 19.75 mg l−1 in mesocosem constructed wetland, 89.36 ± 0.42, 88.56 ± 0.19 and 84.72 ± 0.15% of cesium were remediated by Amaranthus chlorostachys plants. In the same cesium concentrations in mesocosem constructed wetland, 18.43 ± 2.76, 78.98 ± 0.25 and 89.35 ± 0.25% cesium found to be remediated by Calendula alata plants. When exposed to 20 and 50 mg l−1 metformin solutions 63 ± 14 and 58.4 ± 8.60% metformin were remediated by Amaranthus retroflexus plants. When exposed to 0.3 mg l−1 sodium arsenate solution, 85.5 and 93.1% of arsenic were remediated after 14 and 21 days by Vetiveria zizanioides. In the case that initial concentrations of nitrate in hydroponic mesocosem constructed wetland were 32.7, 40.08 and 47.37 mg l−1, 40.27, 26.64 and 70.02% of nitrate were removed, respectively, after 14 days.