Phytoremediation of Cadmium (Cd), Zinc (Zn) and Lead (Pb) in Aqueous Solution by Water Lettuce (Pistia) and Devil’s Ivy (Epipremnum Aureum)

 




 

Pang, Ker Sin (2018) Phytoremediation of Cadmium (Cd), Zinc (Zn) and Lead (Pb) in Aqueous Solution by Water Lettuce (Pistia) and Devil’s Ivy (Epipremnum Aureum). Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.

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Abstract

Phytoremediation is a technology that removes heavy metals and contamination by using plants. This method had been chosen because it is cheap yet environment friendly and results in less risk for pollution spread. This project aims to explore and compare the abilities of two plants, water lettuce (Pistia) and devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum), for the removal of Cadmium, Zinc, and Lead from water. In addition, the roots, stems and leaves of both plants were examined for their abilities of heavy metal absorption. To do that, the plants were grown in different heavy metal solutions for 6 weeks and the heavy metal concentration in the water and in the different parts of the plant were analysed every week by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The study showed water lettuce survived 4 days in 2 ppm of Cd solution, 4 weeks in 1ppm of Cd solution and 2 weeks in 2 ppm of Zn solution. Water lettuce (Pistia) had successfully removed 80% of Zn from 2 ppm of Zn solution after two weeks and 26% of Cd from 1 ppm of Cd solution after 4 weeks. Besides, it also removed 37% of Zn from 1 ppm of Zn solution and 72% of Pb from 2 ppm of Pb solution after 6 weeks. On the other hand, devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum) was found to remove 65% of Zn from 2 ppm of Zn solution, 53% of Cd from 2 ppm of Cd solution and 52% of Pb from 2 ppm of Pb solution after 6 weeks. The results revealed that the roots of both plants accumulated more heavy metals as compared to the stem and the leaves. Between water lettuce (Pistia) and devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum), water lettuce (Pistia) accumulated more Cadmium and Zinc than devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum), but devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum) accumulated more Lead than water lettuce (Pistia) after 6 weeks.

Item Type: Final Year Project
Subjects: Science > Chemistry
Science > Natural history > Biology
Faculties: Faculty of Applied Sciences > Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Bioscience with Chemistry
Depositing User: Library Editor
Date Deposited: 03 Apr 2019 03:37
Last Modified: 18 Apr 2022 07:23
URI: https://eprints.tarc.edu.my/id/eprint/1594