Study on Phytoremediation Potential of Vetiver Plants and Its Amelioration by Ascorbic Acid in Constructed Wetlands

Abstract

The major objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of phytoremediation of vetiver plants (Vetiveria zizanioides L. Nash) in constructed wetlands with service station effluent under controlled greenhouse conditions. Also the study aims to determine the response of vetiver plants treated with service station wastewater on ascorbic acid (AA) amendment. The results of the study showed that seven days treatment of ascorbic acid (10 mg/mL) on alternate days up to 15 days to the service station wastewater treated vetiver plants enhanced its growth, tolerance and hyper-accumulation capacity compared to that of un-amended wastewater treated vetiver plants. The study recommends that the addition of calculated amounts of ascorbic acid to the metal contaminated soil/wastewater increases the phytoremediation capacity of vetiver plants, by increasing its tolerance towards heavy metal stress.