Biochar and Manure Based Phytoremediation Study for Hyperaccumulation of Chromium Using Cymbopogon flexuosus (Nees ex Steud.) Will.Watson and Crysopogon zizanioides (L.) Robertys

Abstract

Chromium (Cr) contamination in soil is a growing concern for sustainable agricultural production, food safety and to minimize the adverse environmental impacts. Pot experiments were conducted for 90 days in Bioremediation lab to investigate the phytoremediation potential of Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) and Vetiver (Crysopogon zizanioides) grown in different composition of chromium (Cr) rich overburden soil (OBS) of Sukinda Chromite Mine. To assess the phytoaccumulation ability of Cymbopogon flexuosus and Crysopogon zizanioides, the bio-accumulation factor (BAF) and total accumulation rate (TAR) were measured. The final results showed that the highest accumulation of Cr was observed in T9 of Vetiver i.e. 688.08 mg/Kg and T6 of Lemongrass i.e. 570 mg/Kg. Similarly the highest BAF and TAR of Cr was observed in T9 of Vetiver i.e. 0.408, T6 of Lemongrass i.e. 0.338 and T9 of Vetiver i.e. 7.64, T6 of Lemongrass i.e. 6.33 respectively. The outcome indicated that these two grass species Cymbopogon flexuosus and Crysopogon zizanioides is a potential phytoremediator of Cr from contaminated sites due to its high bioaccumulation activity with high tolerance. Hence we suggest these two species can be recommended for phytostabilization and phytoextraction of toxic Cr from the low grade chromite.