Removal of Arsenic by Phytoremediation_A Study of Pteris Vittata & Vettiver Grass.

Source from http://www.chem4kids.com/

1. Arsenic (As) is a naturally occurring element widely distributed in the earth's crust. It is already proven by the detection of As in water catchment area in Malaysia. It also contaminates the groundwater supply especially insecure tube well.

2. Removal As by conventional method is very costly. A study done by Sateesh.N.Hosamane suggest to focuses the method of phytoremediation to remove As from soil. This method is cheaper than other physical, chemical or thermal remediation methods.

Source : https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/09/df/85/09df85943ff034f203aa012f644cd333.jpg

"Pteris vittata" by Franz Xaver - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.


3. Pteris vittata and Vetiver grass have been choosen as laboratory study and results showed that these plants can accumulate significant amount of As in soil. They also has been widely known for its effectiveness in erosion and sediment control.

4. Then why don't we grow massively these plant surrounding insecure tube well and intake point of water treatment plant? Major stakeholder in water industry perhaps can bring up this idea for implementation.

5. For further reading, you can click this link. Reference:

Sateesh. N. H., 2012. Removal of Arsenic by Phytoremediation - A Study of Two Plant Spices. International Journal of Scientific Engineering and Technology. Volume No.1, Issue No.5, pg : 218-224.