Abstract

Removal of Azo Dye Compounds from Paper Industries Wastes Using Phytoremediation Methodology

Author(s): K. Sureshvarr, B. Bharathiraja, M. Jayakumar, J. Jayamuthunagai and L. Balaji

Environment pollution is one of the human’s unsolvable problems from the start of the industrial revolution and colonization. Phytoremediation is one of the measures in order to counter the problem of accumulation of the wastes in the soil in the form of inorganic and organic wastes. Treatment of soil for removal of these wastes is a tedious and uneconomical way. But, phytoremediation is one of the effective means in this regard. Certain species of plants like-grasses (rye, bermuda, sorghum, fescue); legumes (clover, alfalfa, cowpeas), sunflowers; Indian mustard; rape seed plants; barley, hops; crucifers; serpentine plants; nettles, dandelions have the inherent ability to accumulate these wastes within it, by absorption through root. They also have the ability to detoxify and metabolize them within the plant. This potential property is effectively used in the removal of the wastes like azo dyes, colorants, metal components, phenolic, and other organic and inorganic wastes. This paper documents, the phytoremediative activity of the plant Eucalyptus spp. in absorbing the azo dyes. The evidence for the effective role of Eucalyptus spp. in absorption of the azo dyes is experimentally shown by the gas chromatography- mass spectrometry analysis. Also, the planting of plants and trees for the phytoremediation in turn reduce the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and thus, global warming and other residual effects of air pollution. Also, this method is cost effective and reliable.