Abstract

Albizia Julibrissin : Potential Phytomining Plant for Hazardous Waste Sites

Author(s): Prasann Kumar

Phytoremediation is an emerging technology that uses various plants to degrade, extract, contain, or immobilize contaminants from soil and water. This technology has been receiving attention lately as an innovative, cost-effective alternative to the more established treatment methods used at hazardous waste sites. Excessive heavy metal accumulation can be toxic to most plants leading to reduction in seed germination, root elongation and biomass production; inhibition of chlorophyll biosynthesis as well as disturbance in cellular metabolism and chromosome distortion. For studying the heavy metals load of sewage sludge and their effect on crop quality in relation to non applied sites, solid sludge and woody plant Albizia julibrissin was collected from seven STPs viz. Howrah, Garulia, Bhatpara, Nabadwip, Srirampur, Kona, Chandannager, and from the Periurban areas viz. Nadia/Chakdaha/Ektapur (N/C/E), Nadia/Chakdaha/Pumlia, Nadia/ Chakdaha/Sikarpur (N/C/S), Nadia/Chakdaha/Tatla (N/C/T). The results suggest that woody plant like Albizia julibrissin has more scavenging capacity for Pb and Cr and if this plant is cultivated in sites abundant with above heavy metals, this would scavenge the heavy metal toxicity from the soil.