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Phytoremediation of heavy metals : Melastoma malabathricum L.
Author
Khoo, Daphne Rui Yun
Supervisor
Tan, Swee Ngin
Abstract
Heavy metals are naturally occurring elements with an atomic density more than 4000 kg/m3. Despite the fact that heavy metals are natural constituents found in the Earth’s crust, the amounts of the heavy metals released increase significantly with the various anthropogenic activities such as smelting and mining. Heavy metals are highly toxic in low concentration and persistent to degradation. Due to its non-biodegradability and toxicity, there is need for the remediation of heavy metal polluted soils.
Various conventional techniques such as landfilling and soil washing have been employed for the removal of heavy metals from soil. The removal of heavy metals through the current remediation techniques are either expensive or involve the movement of contaminated soils leading to the generation of secondary waste. Phytoremediation is a promising green alternative and economically viable used for the remediation of soils. Such technique depends on the uptake capabilities of the plant systems. Hence, it is essential to source for potential plant for the removal of heavy metals from soils.
The phytoremediation potential of M. malabathricum in the removal of heavy metals was investigated. Pb and Ni were spiked onto M. malabathricum to study its accumulation pattern. Furthermore, the effect of cocopeat on the uptake of Pb was studied. Microwave digestion was used to digest leaves of M. malabathricum. Heavy metals analysis was performed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Results indicated that the coco peat plays a significant role in retaining Pb pollutants within the soil. The results showed that M. malabathricum has bioconcentration factor (BCF) less than 1 for different Pb and Ni treatments. The low BCF indicated that M. malabathricum was an excluder for both Pb and Ni.
Various conventional techniques such as landfilling and soil washing have been employed for the removal of heavy metals from soil. The removal of heavy metals through the current remediation techniques are either expensive or involve the movement of contaminated soils leading to the generation of secondary waste. Phytoremediation is a promising green alternative and economically viable used for the remediation of soils. Such technique depends on the uptake capabilities of the plant systems. Hence, it is essential to source for potential plant for the removal of heavy metals from soils.
The phytoremediation potential of M. malabathricum in the removal of heavy metals was investigated. Pb and Ni were spiked onto M. malabathricum to study its accumulation pattern. Furthermore, the effect of cocopeat on the uptake of Pb was studied. Microwave digestion was used to digest leaves of M. malabathricum. Heavy metals analysis was performed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Results indicated that the coco peat plays a significant role in retaining Pb pollutants within the soil. The results showed that M. malabathricum has bioconcentration factor (BCF) less than 1 for different Pb and Ni treatments. The low BCF indicated that M. malabathricum was an excluder for both Pb and Ni.
Date Issued
2021
Call Number
TD878.48 Kho
Date Submitted
2021