REMOVAL OF CADMIUM FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTION USING IPOMOEA AQUATICA, COLOCASIA ESCULENTA AND HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (MS Thesis)- Degree Awarded

Abstract:

Heavy metal pollution is one of the major problems for our environment. Phytoremediation is an innovative and profound method to clean heavy metals which have been released by human activities into the environment and where the metals had persisted over many years. Phytoremediation employs plants to remove the heavy metals. aim of this study is to investigate the role of Ipomoea aquatica, Colocasia esculenta and Helianthus annuus in removing cadmium from laboratory prepared cadmium solution. The experiment was set at the Khan Jahan Ali Hall, Khulna University. The research conducted by using mud-tub which can containing 10L of 5mg/l cadmium solution. A control group also used in the experiment. The experiment was arranged as randomized block design with 4 replicates. The rate of cadmium removal was higher for the first 7days of investigation period that was reduced gradually at the following days of experimental period for all of the plant species. Ipomoea aquatica reduced cadmium to 0.85mg/1, 0.61 mg/1, 0.46 mg/l and 0.28 mg/l at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of exposure respectively that were significant compared with control. The control cadmium concentration after 7days, 14 days, 21 days and 28days were respectively 0.9mg/1, 0.75 mg/l and 0.58 mg/l, 0.42 mg/l. Ipomoea aquatica shows 88% efficiency to remove cadmium. Whereas, Colocasia esculenta reduced cadmium to 0.67 mg/l, 0.55 mg/l, 0.32 mg/l and 0.24 mg/l at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of exposure respectively that were significant compared with control. The control cadmium concentration after 7days, 14 days, 21 days and 28days were respectively 0.73mg/1, 0.62 mg/l and 0.40 mg/l, 0.32 mg/l. Colocasia esculenta shows 94efficiency to remove cadmium. And finally Helianthus annus significantly reduced(Compared with control) Cadmium to 0.70 mg/l, 0.58 mg/l, 0.39 mg/l and 0.25 mg/l at same data collection period respectively. Helianthus annus shows 91% efficiency to remove cadmium. The findings of the study could be helpful to mitigate the heavy metal pollution from our water bodies.

• Supervision