Abstract

Phytoremediation of textile effluent contaminated soil using neem leaf extracts

Author(s): K.Poornima, S.Karpagavalli, V.K.Gopalakrishnan

Phytoremediation is an alternative lowcost approach for treatment of heavy metal polluted soil. This study demonstrates the phytoremediation potential of neem leaf extracts on textile effluent contaminated soil. The textile effluent contaminated soil was treated with three different concentrations (0.25mg/ml,0.5mg/ml and 0.75mg/ml) of neem leaf extracts and overnight soaked Vigna radiata seeds were germinated in treated soils. Germination percentage was recorded and soil and plant analysis were carried out after radical emergence. pH of leaf extracts treated soils were decreased and catalase activity and microbial biomass carbon levels in treated soil, germination percentage, root and shoot length of Vigna radiata plants grown in treated soilswere significantly (p<0.05) increased. Growth of Vigna radiata plants grown in untreated soil was impaired. Total protein level, chlorophyll contents, peroxidase activity, superoxide dismutase activity, and ascorbate level in roots and shoots of Vigna radiata plants grown in treated soil mainly 0.5mg/ml and 0.25mg/ml treated soil only slightly decreased and lipid peroxidation levels were slightly increased compared to roots and shoots of Vigna radiata plants grown in normal soil. These results imply the positive effect of neemleaf extract on textile effluent contaminated soil.