Phytoremediation of sugar industrial water effluent using various hydrophytes

The rapid development in the industrial sector leading to the drastic changes in the environmental equilibrium and is the prime challenge to scientists as the natural resources are very precious. The sugar industrial effluent mainly shows an adverse effect on the water quality parameters like D.O., B.O.D., C.O.D., pH, temperature and conductivity of the surrounding aqua systems at the time of discharge. The abnormal levels of these parameters cause pollution in water bodies and even death of aqua flora and fauna. However, sugar industrial effluents are found hazardous and they enter the environment through various channels of waste water discharges. Conventional treatment technologies for the removal of industrial effluents are less economical than that of biological methods. Phytoremediation techniques have been found potential to absorb effluents to maximum extent and without possibility of secondary pollution. The prime objective of this paper is to investigate the capability of selected aquatic plant species of Eichhornia crassipes, Pistia stratiotes, Nelumbo lutea and Marsilea quadrifolia for the removal of sugar industry effluent toxicity from the contaminated aqueous environment. The changes in the water quality parameters during the treatment of industrial effluent with aquatic plants were verified periodically to optimize the process.