EFFECT OF METALS ON GROWTH INHIBITONS OF SINAPIS, SORGHUM AND LEPIDIUM IN TEXTILE DYE WASTE CONTAMINATED SOIL, INDIA

摘要

A large portion of India textile dye industry exists in the informal economy, dumping their wastewater without treatment into nearby land and water. This wastewater has the potential for toxic impacts as dyes are contaminated with heavy metals like copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), etc. The goal of this study is to use ecotoxicological methods to characterise the extent of toxic stress in the adjacent ecosystems to informal dyers in two different locations in India. 23 soil samples were collected around the city of Bangalore, India during July 2016. Using the standard operational procedure of the Phytotoxkit, Microbiotest™, growth of the indicator plants (Sinapis, Lepidium, and Sorghum) was measured in dye contaminated and control soils. Percentage of growth inhibition was calculated with respect to the control soil for each plant. The contaminated soil and commercial dyes were also tested with XRF (X-ray fluorescence) for presence and concentration of metals (ppm). Our study showed that despite the low level of metals present in the soil, growth inhibition was observed in the indicator plants. Suggesting that in combination toxic metals even at low levels can cause an impact on the ecosystem.