Green Remediation using the Monocot Grass Vetiveria zizanoides (L.) Nash

Now-a-days our environment is laden with contaminants. Heavy metals are important among them. These are toxic and may cause threat to living organisms and the environment. The conventional methods used for heavy metal removal have their limitations because they are ineffective, economically expensive and produce large quantities of sludge. So, there is a need to develop a cost efficient and eco-friendly method to alleviate this type of pollution. The current study was carried out to evaluate the phytoremediation capacity of Vetiveria zizanoides for heavy metals from polluted water. The objectives of the present research were to grow the test plant in nutrient solution with different concentrations (50, 100, 150 and 200 μM) of Lead acetate for 20 days. Fresh and dry biomass of vegetative parts (above and below ground) was determined and the Bio-concentration and Translocation factor was calculated. Results revealed that most of the lead from the solution was absorbed by Vetiveria zizanoides till the 20^th day. The highest lead content was recorded in the root of the plant. Control plants did not record lead content in its tissues.