1 AIT Asian Institute of Technology

Phytoremediation of lead in contaminated water

AuthorJaruwan Wongtanet
Call NumberAIT Thesis no. EV-02-10
Subject(s)Phytoremediation
Lead
NoteA thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. School of Environment, Resources and Development
PublisherAsian Institute of Technology
Series StatementThesis ; no. EV-02-10
AbstractHeavy metal pollution in water adversely impacts on both living organisms and their habitats. Phytoremediation, the use of green plants to remove heavy metals from water through rhizofiltration and phytoextraction has been conducted in this study. The objectives of study were (i) to quantify the capacity of different plants in accumulating lead, (ii) to examine the growth responses of lead (Pb) absorbed plants and Pb distribution within the plants, and (iii) to evaluate the possibility of applying a phytoremediation process to treat Pb contaminated sites in Thailand, especially for Klity creek of Kamchanaburi province. This study is being carried out during February to July 2002 which consists of two experimental phases; Phase I involved the screening of potential plants for Pb removal from synthetic nutrient solution without the chelating addition (EDTA) in the experiment. Phase II designed for improving plant capacity to absorb more Pb by chelating addition (EDTA) in the experiment. Few potential species of plants were evaluated in this study, such as silverback fem (Pityrogramma calomelanos), water mushroom (Hydrocotyle umbellata), and Pandanus (Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb.). These plants were hydroponically grown and exposed to Pb concentration at 5 mg/L for four weeks. After completion of the experiment, all of tested plants were harvested and analyzed for Pb concentration accumulated in different parts of plants. However, results of the study in Phase I experiment indicated that Pb accumulation by average in water mushroom, silverback fem and pandanus based on dry weight were 10,600 ug/g, 1,449 ug/g and 1,250 ug/g, respectively. Note should be made here that water mushroom has the highest capacity in Pb accumulation among the three species. Moreover, results of Phase II experiment indicated that a chelating reagent (EDT A) has affected on the translocation of lead from root to shoot. Accumulation of lead has increased in the shoot about 82%, 67%, and 32% of water mushroom, silverback fem and pandanus, respectively as comparing with no EDTA added in phase I experiment.
Year2002
Corresponding Series Added EntryAsian Institute of Technology. Thesis; no. EV-02-10
TypeThesis
SchoolSchool of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD)
DepartmentDepartment of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC))
Academic Program/FoSEnvironmental Engineering and Management (EV)
Chairperson(s)Preeda Parkpian
Examination Committee(s)Trankler, Josef ;Lee, Seung-Hwan
Scholarship Donor(s)H. M. (Queen)
DegreeThesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2002


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