Vegetos

Abstract

Phytoremediation of metals is cost-effective green technology based on the use of metal accumulating plants for in situ removal of toxic-metals from natural ecosystems. Azolla microphylla, an aquatic free floating fern possessing high multiplication rate, high amount of pectins and metal detoxification mechanism at genic level, is potentially useful for clean-up of waters. An attempt was made to study the assessment of arsenic removal by Azolla microphylla under optmized conditions. The experiment was conducted using 1000 mL plastic beakers filled with optimized Warne medium. The beakers were inoculated with 1 g, 2 g, 3 g, 4 g and 5 g inocula sizes of Azolla with different incubation periods, viz. 4 hrs, 8 hrs and 12 hrs. The pH varied were, 5 pH, 6 pH, 7 pH, 8 pH and 9 pH, supplemented with different concentrations of sodium arsenate, viz. 7.5 ppm, 10 ppm and 15 ppm. Azolla were harvested from each beaker at different hours. The arsenic removal was recorded using Hydride Generation-Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. Maximum arsenic removal was recorded at 4 g inoculum size of Azolla, 8 hours incubation period, 7 pH of the medium and 10 ppm of arsenic concentration. Thus, the biomass of Azolla can be exploited for the removal of arsenic from contaminated waters and can be used to develop ecofriendly sustainable technology.