Phytoremediation: Utilizing Plants to Treat Industrial Wastewater

Abstract

The untreated water discharge is the most threatened, making it difficult to manage and providing clean water supply to both rural and urban areas. A wide range of toxic chemical substances were released as the consequences of industrial revolution. The free discharge of these hazardous chemical substances in the form of dyes, heavy metals, organic and inorganic compounds can cause serious threat to human health and environment. Green plants which are considered as the producers can transform these pollutants into safer forms in a cost-effective and environment friendly manner known as phytoremediation. Phytoremediation works on the basic idea of pollutants removal through natural systems. Numerous plant species, including Canna indica, Colocasia, Hymeno callislittoralis, Pteris vittata, Thlaspi caerulescens, Brassica juncea, Hordeum, Solanum, Eichhornia crassipes, Salvinia molesta, and Pistia stratiotes are frequently used to treat industrial wastewater. It is also used for environmental restoration and wasteland site remediation.