Chromium removal by tradescantia pallida (Rose) D.R. Hunt : Batch and continuous studies
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Date
2016
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Abstract
Chromium (Cr) is one of the high priority heavy metal pollutants commonly present in soil, aqueous waste stream and groundwater and, therefore, it can cause serious health hazards. Water pollution by Cr is of considerable concern in many countries, including India as it is widely used in many industries. Hexavalent form of chromium [Cr(VI)] is considered highly hazardous for most organisms due to its potential mutagenic, carcinogenic and teratogenic effects. Therefore, it is essential to treat effluent from Cr utilising industries prior to its discharge into aquatic environment.In comparison with the physico-chemical and biological processes employed to treat Cr containing wastewater, phytoremediation using indigenous and wild plant species is a more cost-effective, efficient and sustainable alternative. It also requires no special growth conditions particularly for treating largescale, low-level Cr contamination The present thesis aimed to mitigate the environmental pollution due to the discharge of Cr(VI) containing industrial wastewater. The potential application of phytoremediation using indigenous Tradescantia pallida plants that can tolerate, absorb and significantly bioaccumulate Cr(VI) in their parts is demonstrated. This plant species could be used in constructed wetlands to enhance the Cr(VI) reduction and retention in the soil, thereby serving as an efficient system to treat Cr contaminated water.
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Supervisors: Kannan Pakshirajan and Rakhi Chaturvedi
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BIOSCIENCES AND BIOENGINEERING