Phytoremediation of Heavy Metals by Vetiver Plant Species in Unconventional Water

Abstract

The use of natural processes, including the physiological potential of plants, is a suitable solution. In this study in order to assess the effect of waste leachate and industrial wastewater on the absorption of heavy metals by the Vetiver plant, two separate factorial experiments were performed in the crop year 2020-2021 as a completely randomized design. Experiment treatments factors included waste leachate and industrial wastewater use separately on 5 levels (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) in three replications (B1, B2, B3) and two irrigation periods of 5 and 10 days (A5, A10). The amount of iron, zinc, copper, manganese, potassium, and sodium measured in vetiver showed waste leachate had a significant effect at the level of 5% (P 0.05). R4A1 and W5A1 treatments showed a relatively good response with a decrease in biomass production below 10% compared to the control treatment. According to the results, the Vetiver species has relatively high compatibility in the absorption of heavy metals with unconventional waters and can have a special application for soil and water protection.

Keywords

• heavy metals
• industrial wastewater
• vetiveria zizonicides
• waste leachate
• randomized complete design