Abstract

PHYTOREMEDIATION OF HEAVY METALS IN THREE PAPER MILL INDUSTRIES USING LEMON GRASS

Ugwegbu A. O. and Nwaehiri U. L.*

Abstract

Phytoremediation of heavy metal concentrations in three paper mills using lemon grass was investigated. Three paper mills designated as; Star paper mill (SPM), Industrial paper mill (IPM) and Starline paper mill (SLPM) was visited for soil and effluent sample collection. Heavy metals were obtained at their various wavelength of absorption and compared with Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) standard of 1999. The remediation experiment consists of three treatments; Treatment 1 (with C. citratus), Treatment 2 (with C. schoenanthus) and Treatment 3 (without plant). Results of the concentration of heavy metals in the polluted soil samples showed; Lead (Pb), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni) and copper (Cu) to be detected in the three paper mills; cadmium (Cd) only in IPM, while Pb, As, Cr and Zn in control. Cr, As and Ni of all the paper mills as well as Pb and Cu of IPM were significantly higher (P

Keywords: Heavy metals, paper mills, FEPA standard, remediation, C. citratus & C. schoenanthus.