Geochemical fractionation and phytoremediation of heavy metals around Yamuna river in Delhi
Loading...
Date
2015-11
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand)
Abstract
In the present study determination of heavy metals (Cr, Pb, Hg, Zn, Mn, Mg, Fe) concentrations in the water, sediments and river side agriculture soils of river Yamuna at 12 selected locations in three different time period (June, October and Febuary) was done. Some selected important physico-chemical water and soil factors were also assessed. It was observed that the downstream sites were more polluted as compared to upstream sites. The results also concluded that the Yamuna in Delhi is not in good condition. While the water quality before entering the Delhi segment was much better, it deteriorated considerably after the river passes through the national capital of Delhi. Sequential extraction, XRD and SEM-EDS demonstrated that heavy metals are present in a number of chemical forms in sediments and soil in varying amount. Differences in the chemical composition of soil at various locations were also observed through FTIR analysis. The potential chelant (EDTA) enhanced phytoextraction was evaluated in Pteris vittata in pot experiments. In the current study although no considerable difference was observed in the dry biomass of roots and fronds but it was found that use of chelating agent before the harvesting has a considerable effect on the absorption of different elements in the roots and fronds of P. vittata. Thus P. vittata was found instrumental for the effective remediation of the soil. The use of the EDTA, was effective for enhancing the As absorption in the pot experiments. The adding vermiculite to the soil in pot experiments increased the dry biomass while decreased the TF and accumulation of Pb, Cu and Zn in maize plants, showing effective immobilization of metals in the soil amended. Thus vermiculite can be effectively used as a suitable sorbent that can be added to the soil to reduce the phytoaccumulation of heavy metals to the plants and decrease phytotoxicity in plants.
Description
Thesis-PhD
Keywords
geochemistry, fractionation, phytoremediation, heavy metals, rivers, Delhi, water pollution, phytotoxicity