Comparison of phytoremediation and filtration in remediation Of contaminated waters

Abstract

An experimental work was carried out on contaminated waters using filtration and phytoremediation methods to determine the most appropriate remediation method. Filtration method was by passing Arsenic acid of 100.0 mg/L concentrations through four different geo-materials (marble, activated charcoal, filtration carbon and clay) placed on layers of sand in glass filtration tanks ; while Phytoremediation method was done by cultivation of matured water hyacinth (Eichhornia crasspipes Mart. Solms) in arsenic acid solution of equal concentration (100.0 mg/L). Plants were harvested, dried, pulverized and analysed for metal content using inductively coupledion chromatography and filtrates analysed using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. Arsenic concentration in filtrates showed no arsenic loss, indicating poor absorption capacity of the geomaterials. Highest arsenic bio-accumulation was found at 100 mg/L in matured water hyacinth. Remediation of arsenic using water hyacinth proved to be a better method for arsenic removal compared to filtration.

 Keyword: Arsenic, Absorption, Contamination, Phytoremediation, Filtrates