scholarly journals Aquatic Plants as Bioremediators in Pollution Abatement of Heavy Metals

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaltharackal Vikraman Meera ◽  
Manorama Thampatti KC ◽  
Jacob John ◽  
Bhadra Sudha ◽  
Abdulmajeed Sajeena

Over use of chemical inputs and exploitation of natural resources have degraded our ecosystem to a large extent. Our water bodies are drastically affected, especially due to the impact of heavy metal loading. The biomagnification that results from these difficult to degrade metals is naturally affecting the human health. The physical and chemical methods commonly employed for water purification are not only highly expensive but also further aggravate the pollution problem. Hence, all efforts must be taken to exploit the emerging green technology approach in pollution remediation. Several aquatic plants have specific affinity towards heavy metals and they flourish well in this contaminated environment. The common mechanisms of phytoremediation and varied type of aquatic plants with high remediation potential are reviewed in this chapter.


Author(s):  
M Sadiku ◽  
S Kadriu ◽  
M Kelmendi ◽  
D Ibishi

Purpose. To reflect the impact of discharge waters from the ferronickel smelter and surface lignite mining on the pollution of the Drenica River with heavy metals. According to our estimation, the effect of mining on the river pollution is undeniable. Methodology. The standard methods ISO 5667-6, ISO 5667-11, and ISO 5667-1.3 were used to determine the physical and chemical parameters of the Drenica River surface water. The EPA-3015A method was applied for sample preparation, while the AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry) measurement technique was used to determine the concentration of heavy metals. Standard ISO methods were applied for determining the following parameters: pH, DO, BOD5, COD, NNH4, NO3-, TN, PO4P, and TP. Findings. From the obtained results, it can be concluded that the levels of heavy metals in the river Drenica have exceeded the allowed values as a result of industrial activities. Originality. The paper supplies new additional information on the ecological status of the Drenica River, based on samples taken along the river, especially where the greatest impact of the ferronickel smelter and surface lignite mining could be. The problematic of this research is quite contemporary; river pollution affects the life chain. Practical value. We believe that the content and problems in the focus of the research are topical and present significant interest to all those who deal with environmental issues.



Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 979
Author(s):  
Zinaida Ivanovna Khazheeva ◽  
Aleksey Maksimovich Plyusnin ◽  
Olga Konstantinovna Smirnova ◽  
Elena Georgievna Peryazeva ◽  
Dashima Ivanovna Zhambalova ◽  
...  

The Dzhidinsky orefield is located in the Zakamensky district of Buryatia. It is characterized by a high concentration of mineralization in a small area. The ores of the Dzhidinsky economic deposits are complex. This ore field includes Pervomaiskoye Mo, Kholtosonskoe W, and Inkurskoe W deposits. The catchment basin of the river Modonkul is located in the Dzhidinsky orefield. Mineral resource industry waste is a real threat to the city Zakamensk. Currently, the waste of deposits is located at the floodplain terrace and the watershed of the river Modonkul. In this work, the impact of the drainage mine and tributary Inkur on the formation chemical composition of the river Modonkul is studied. The 80 samples of water and suspended matter were taken from a surface of 0–0.5 m on seven sites. Physical and chemical parameters were measured at the sampling sites, and chemical composition was analyzed in the laboratory. In the natural background of the river, the major cations are, in decreasing order, Ca2+ > Mg2+ > Na+ + K+, and major anions are, also in decreasing order, HCO3− > SO42− > Cl−. Along the river, the chemical type of water changes from bicarbonate to sulfate across the sulfate-bicarbonate or bicarbonate-sulfate class and from calcium-magnesium across sodium-calcium-magnesium reverse calcium-magnesium group. Total dissolved solids (TDS) increase by a factor of 4.0–4.7 between the upper and mouth of the river. The dissolved and suspended loads were studied in the mixing zone of acid mine and river water. The different hydrochemistry characteristics may result from Fe, Al, and Mn hydroxide precipitation. The pH values and dissolved oxygen cycles could change the uptake of heavy metals on suspended iron and manganese oxides, and the mechanism of removing it in water. River particulates have the potential of regulating heavy metal inputs to aquatic systems from pollution. The ore elements or the heavy metals are removed from the water in two ways: by the runoff of Modonkul and the sedimentation of suspended material at the bottom. The inflow of mine water into the Modonkul river leads to the rare earth elements (REEs) composition with negative cerium and positive europium anomalies.



PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e2171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aldo Croquer ◽  
David Bone ◽  
Carolina Bastidas ◽  
Ruth Ramos ◽  
Elia García

This study evaluated pollution levels in water and sediments of Península de Paraguaná and related these levels with benthic macrofauna along a coastal area where the largest Venezuelan oil refineries have operated over the past 60 years. For this, the concentration of heavy metals, of hydrocarbon compounds and the community structure of the macrobenthos were examined at 20 sites distributed along 40 km of coastline for six consecutive years, which included windy and calm seasons. The spatial variability of organic and inorganic compounds showed considerably high coastal pollution along the study area, across both years and seasons. The southern sites, closest to the refineries, had consistently higher concentrations of heavy metals and organic compounds in water and sediments when compared to those in the north. The benthic community was dominated by polychaetes at all sites, seasons and years, and their abundance and distribution were significantly correlated with physical and chemical characteristics of the sediments. Sites close to the oil refineries were consistently dominated by families known to tolerate xenobiotics, such as Capitellidae and Spionidae. The results from this study highlight the importance of continuing long-term environmental monitoring programs to assess the impact of effluent discharge and spill events from the oil refineries that operate in the western coast of Paraguaná, Venezuela.



2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-43
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Rajfur ◽  
Małgorzata Anna Jóźwiak ◽  
Andrzej Kłos

Abstract Due to their occurrence in very different conditions and high resistance to physical and chemical factors, algae are pioneers colonising new environments and their sorption properties are used in biomonitoring and water remediation. The efficiency of the process of heavy metal sorption in algae used for in situ tests depends on abiotic factors, such as the chemical composition of water. Freshwater algae Spirogyra sp. were used in tests. Algae were exposed in the laboratory in manganese chloride solutions with various contents of other cations, including heavy metals and macronutrients. It has been shown that some heavy metals may desorb manganese bound to the surface of algae as a result of ion exchange in the following sequence: Cd2+ < Mn2+ ≈ Zn2+ < Cu2+. It has been also found that the competitiveness of sorption of cations naturally present in the alga environment versus Mn2+ cations changes in the sequence Na+ < Ca2+ < H+, defined for the concentrations referring to the cation unit charge. The results of tests were compared to the results of dried sea algae Palmaria palmata analyses.



2013 ◽  
Vol 832 ◽  
pp. 350-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nurul Amal Nadhirah Mohamad ◽  
Nur Afiqah Arham ◽  
Junaidah Jai ◽  
Abdul Hadi

The aim of this paper is to discuss on the roles of plant extract in the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles. Synthesis of metallic nanoparticles has started few decades ago through physical and chemical methods. Recently, green technology through biosynthesis method has drawn great attention compared to the physical and chemical method. Biosynthesis was found to be more energy efficient and able to eliminate the use of hazardous chemicals. The biosynthesis studies involved the application of fungi, bacteria, yeast, algae and plant extract. Plant extract has several advantages since the use of microorganism required stringent control on cell culture. Furthermore, the reaction rate is much faster as compared to that of the microorganism methods. The important compounds in the plant extract are hydroxyl and carbonyl groups. Both functional groups allowed plant extract to act as reducing agent as well as stabilizing agent. Several studies have been carried out to optimize the extraction of these compounds such as plant drying technique, extraction temperature and type of extractions solvent. The common method used to quantify the concentration of reducing agents in the extract is through Folin-Ciocalteu method. Utilization of plant extract not only capable of producing well dispersed monometallic nanoparticles, but also bimetallic nanoparticles. Previous studies revealed that concentration of plant extract has significant effect on particle size and shape as well as particle distribution.



2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Coy ◽  
A.V. Shuravilin ◽  
O.A. Zakharova

Приведены результаты исследований по изучению влияния промышленной технологии возделывания картофеля на развитие, урожайность и качество продукции. Выявлена положительная реакция растений на подкормку K2SO4 в период посадки. Корреляционно-регрессионный анализ урожайности и качества клубней выявил высокую степень достоверности результатов опыта. Содержание нитратов и тяжелых металлов в клубнях было ниже допустимых величин.The results of studies on the impact of industrial technology of potato cultivation on growth, yield and quality of products. There was a positive response of plants to fertilizer K2SO4 in the period of planting. Correlation and regression analysis of yield and quality of tubers revealed a high degree of reliability of the results of experience. The contents of nitrates and heavy metals in tubers was below the permissible values.



2019 ◽  
pp. 33-41
Author(s):  
V. L. Harutyunyan ◽  
S. V. Dokholyan ◽  
A. R. Makaryan

The presented study discusses the issues of applying the Common Customs Tariff (CCT) rates of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) on rough diamonds and the impact thereof on the exports of stones cut and polished inArmeniaand then exported toRussia.Aim. The study aims to identify the possible strategies Armenian diamond cutting and polishing companies could adopt as a response to the application of the CCT rates on rough diamonds and how it would affect exports to various destinations, namely to Russia.Tasks. The authors analyze the current state of the gems and jewelry sector and substantiate the need to either integrate it into the jewelry manufacturing sector or to apply various strategies to facilitate exports to either Russia or other destinations in the medium term in response to the application of the CCT rates.Methods. This study uses general scientific methods of cognition, including analytical and methodological approaches and elements of forecasting. Possible strategies the Armenian diamond cutting and polishing companies could adopt in the medium term in response to the application of the EAEU CCT rates are determined using the analytical research method, forecasts in the context of the developments in the Armenian gem processing and jewelry market and global trends, statistical data on the imports and exports of cut and polished gems and jewelry for 2014–2018 published by the UN Comtrade Statistics.Results. Statistics on the exports of processed diamonds from 2014 to 2018 highlights the issue associated with the loss of competitiveness suffered by Armenian companies (mainly in comparison with Indian diamond cutters). The major global trends in the diamond cutting and polishing business indicate that it could be virtually impossible for Armenian cutters and polishers to compete with Indian companies in the medium term if they do not comes to investing in new technology to achieve operational efficiency. For these companies, it is important not to lose the Russian market due to an increase in the tariff rate and concentrate on the processing of gems that are larger than 1 carat. Another strategy to avoid an increase in the customs tariff rates would depend on the Armenian government’s ability to negotiate with Russia in respect of direct imports of diamond stones from Russian manufactures. Two other options for Armenian cutters involve focusing on cutting and polishing of rubies, sapphires, emeralds, etc. or integrating into the jewelry sector either by being the primary supplier or by considering this business as a channel to sell processed diamond stones by setting up their own jewelry manufacturing companies.Conclusions. With CCT going into effect in January 2021 and India’s dominant role in the diamond cutting and polishing business, Armenia needs to carefully consider all of the strategies the Armenian companies could adopt, as discussed above. As a member state of the EAEU, Armenia freely exports to Russia, however, further exports to Russia would depend on Armenia’s ability to ensure that cost-effective operations are in place, or to concentrate on the processing of precious gems rather than diamonds, or to switch to the manufacturing of jewelry items as a major export item.Practical Implication. The findings of this study could be of interest to the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia and Business Armenia that could be used in elaborating the strategy for the development of Armenian gems and jewelry sector of the economy.



2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 358-365
Author(s):  
V. L. Harutyunyan ◽  
S. V. Dokholyan ◽  
A. R. Makaryan


1985 ◽  
Vol 17 (6-7) ◽  
pp. 1187-1198 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Mance ◽  
A. R. O'Donnell

This paper discusses the derivation of environmental quality standards for coastal waters and the difficulties of using such standards for controlling industrial discharges. Attention is focused on the common List II substances, copper, chromium, lead, nickel, zinc and arsenic - and their effects on marine life. The adequacy of existing toxicity data is discussed and it is concluded that long exposure tests are required to provide information on sublethal effects. Such data are currently limited. It is also important that consideration be given to the effects that reducing salinities and increasing temperatures have in increasing the toxicity of these substances. The complexity of interpreting the results of laboratory toxicity data to coastal waters is discussed with reference to a study of the impact of an industrial discharge.



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