Assessing the effectiveness of Coriander sativum, Mentha piperita and Thinopyrum intermedium in remediation of waters with heavy metal toxicity

An unfortunate consequence of industrialization and urbanization is the generation and release of toxic waste products in every resource. However, contamination of water with heavy metals poses a potential health hazard. Biosorption is a promising method for removing metal contaminants from waters in a low cost and environment friendly manner. Due to their high metal binding capacity, present study was carried to investigate the Chromium (Cr), Manganese (Mn), Cobalt (Co), Nickle (Ni), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) contents in waters treated with biomass of coriander (Coriander sativum), peppermint (Mentha piperita) and wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium). The contents were determined by ICP-MS (Mass Spectroscopy). Percentage absorption of heavy metals by coriander followed the trend Mn (69%) >Co (43%)> Cr (33%)> Zn (18.7%)>Cd (16%)> Ni (10.6%)> Cu (1.6%), for peppermint Mn (20%)> Ni (15.9%)> Pb (13%)> Cu (9.7%)> Co(9.3%)>Cr (6%)> Cd (4.8%)> Zn (1%) and for wheatgrass Mn (99.5%)> Cr (76.4%)> Zn (61.3%)> Co (45.9%)> Cd (41.1%)> Ni (28.7%). Cr (5.8%). The maximum uptake of Cr (76.4%), Mn (99.5 %), Co (45.9 %), Ni (28.7 %), Zn (61.3 %), Cd (41.1 %) was reported in wheatgrass and Cu (9.7 %) in peppermint. Pb (13 %) however was absorbed only by peppermint. The study concluded that there is significant absorption of heavy metals in coriander, peppermint and wheatgrass and an awareness regime needs to be generated to employ these biomasses for phytoremediation of waters with heavy metal toxicity.