IJEP 45(4): 322-330 : Vol. 45 Issue. 4 (April 2025)
Vinayaka Mission’s Research Foundation (Deemed to be University), Department of Civil Engineering, Aarupadai Veedu Institute of Technology, Chennai – 603 104, Tamil Nadu, India
Abstract
Heavy metal pollution poses a significant threat to both the environment and living organisms. The release of heavy metals is a crucial indicator of environmental change, impacting ecosystems, agricultural productivity and human health. Industries, such as tanneries and mining are major contributors to this pollution. Chromium contamination, particularly from Cr (VI) used in industrial processes, like leather tanning, is extremely hazardous due to its toxicity and persistence in soil and water. Phytoremediation is an environmentally friendly method that uses plants to naturally uptake, accumulate and detoxify contaminants from the environment. This study aimed to assess the accumulation of chromium in soils and plants exposed to both simulated and industrial wastewater. It analyzed various parameters, including industrial wastewater characteristics, morphological characteristics of plants, seed germination percentage, soil pH, plant growth and accumulation of Cr in Helianthus annuus and Gossypium herbaceum. Over a 45 day period, chromium concentrations in soil and plants were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Helianthus annuus accumulated more chromium in its tissues compared to Gossypium herbaceum. Both Helianthus annuus and Gossypium herbaceum demonstrated significant potential as phyto-remediators. This study highlights the feasibility of using Helianthus annuus and Gossypium herbaceum for phytoremediation in chromium-contaminated soils, offering a sustainable approach to mitigating industrial pollution.
Keywords
Phytoremediation, Chromium, Tannery wastewater, Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, Gossypium herbaceum, Helianthus annuus
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