Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026
08:21
Isolation and Screening from Soil Biodiversity for Fungi Involved in the Degradation of Recalcitrant Materials
Published on: May 16, 2022
Phytoremediation of the coalmine effluent
Sandhya Bharti1, Tarun Kumar Banerjee
1Eco-physiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India. sandhyabharti54@gmail.com
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
|May 11, 2012
Summary
Azolla pinnata and Lemna minor effectively remediate coal mine effluent, removing over 66% of heavy metals. Lemna minor showed greater metal uptake but suffered more biomass and chlorophyll loss, indicating Azolla pinnata as a potentially more resilient option.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Bioremediation
- Phytoremediation
Background:
- Coal mining generates effluents laden with toxic heavy metals.
- Effective and sustainable remediation strategies are crucial for mitigating environmental pollution from mining activities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the phytoremediation potential of Azolla pinnata and Lemna minor for detoxifying coal mine effluent.
- To compare the efficiency of these macrophytes in removing various heavy metals and assess their physiological responses.
Main Methods:
- Two macrophytes, Azolla pinnata and Lemna minor, were exposed to coal mine effluent for seven days.
- Initial and final concentrations of eight metals (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, Cr, Cd) were measured.
- Plant biomass, chlorophyll, and protein content were analyzed to assess plant health and metal uptake.
Main Results:
- Both Azolla pinnata and Lemna minor demonstrated significant heavy metal removal, with manganese removal exceeding 98% for both.
- Lemna minor exhibited higher metal removal efficiency for most metals but experienced greater reductions in chlorophyll (29.3%) and protein (38.55%) content, along with higher biomass reduction.
- Azolla pinnata showed substantial metal removal (e.g., 95.4% Fe, 95% Zn) with less impact on its physiological parameters (27% chlorophyll decrease, 15.56% protein decrease).
Conclusions:
- Azolla pinnata and Lemna minor are suitable for the bioremediation of coal mine effluent.
- Azolla pinnata appears more resilient to metal toxicity compared to Lemna minor, showing less physiological damage.
- Safe disposal of metal-laden plants is necessary after the phytoremediation process.
Related Concept Videos
00:46Bioremediation
Bioremediation is the use of prokaryotes, fungi, or plants to remove pollutants from the environment. This process has been used to remove harmful toxins in groundwater as a byproduct of agricultural run-off and also to clean up oil spills.
01:25Microbial Bioremediation of Uranium
Microorganisms play a critical role in the transformation and immobilization of uranium in contaminated environments through four main pathways: bioreduction, biosorption, bioaccumulation, and biomineralization. These mechanisms reduce uranium’s toxicity and prevent its migration through groundwater systems, offering sustainable approaches for in situ bioremediation.Bioreduction of UraniumBioreduction is driven by anaerobic bacteria such as certain strains of Geobacter and Shewanella, which use...
01:27Microbial Leaching
Microbial leaching, also known as bioleaching, is an environmentally favorable method for extracting metals from low-grade ores using specific microorganisms. This biotechnological approach is particularly valuable for mining operations targeting copper, gold, and uranium, where traditional extraction methods may be economically or environmentally impractical.Copper Leaching and Microbial CatalysisIn copper bioleaching, crushed ore is arranged into heaps and irrigated with a dilute sulfuric...
01:19Acid Mine Drainage
Mining activities that disturb sulfide-rich rocks, particularly those containing pyrite (FeS₂), initiate a cascade of geochemical and microbiological processes with serious environmental implications. When exposed to air and water, pyrite undergoes oxidation, releasing sulfate, ultimately forming sulfuric acid and mobilizing heavy metals into surrounding water systems. This phenomenon, known as acid mine drainage (AMD), results in low pH waters laden with toxic elements that threaten aquatic...
01:26Microbial Bioremediation of Hydrocarbons
Bioremediation is an environmentally sustainable process that employs living organisms—primarily microorganisms—to degrade or neutralize pollutants from contaminated environments. In oil spills and hydrocarbon pollution, bioremediation involves the use of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria to transform toxic compounds into less harmful substances. This approach leverages natural microbial metabolic processes and is considered both cost-effective and ecologically favorable compared to physical or...
01:26Enhanced Elimination of Poison
Poison can be effectively removed from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract through various decontamination procedures.
Antidotes serve a crucial role in counteracting the effects of poison by inhibiting enzymes responsible for producing harmful drug metabolites. In some cases, these toxic metabolites can be neutralized by endogenous cosubstrates, which are maintained at specific concentrations to prevent interaction with cellular macromolecules and subsequent cell death.
Renal excretion is the...
Antidotes serve a crucial role in counteracting the effects of poison by inhibiting enzymes responsible for producing harmful drug metabolites. In some cases, these toxic metabolites can be neutralized by endogenous cosubstrates, which are maintained at specific concentrations to prevent interaction with cellular macromolecules and subsequent cell death.
Renal excretion is the...