Phyto-remediation of Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons ContaminatedSoil Using Water Hyacinth

摘要

The objective of the present research was to investigate the effect of pH on the ability of water hyacinth to effectively absorb polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from contaminated soil leachate.Phytoremediation using water hyacinth was conducted at the following pH levels; 2.0, 4.0. 6.0, 8.0. 10.0, and 12.0 respectively. The pH where the plant absorbed the highest concentrations of PAHs was noted and the present research also noted if there wasany trend in PAHs absorption as the pH was increased from 2.0 to 12.0. Moreover, the present study has also projected the status of Water hyacinth, from being a nuisance plant to being a plant with huge environmental benefits since the plant could be used for cleaning up systems contaminated with PAHs.