THE POTENTIALITY OF AZOLLA MICROPHYLLA KAULF FOR THE REMOVAL EFFICIENCY OF HEAVY METALS

Abstract

Phytoremediation is a technology which utilizes plants to remediate the polluted water by improving the quality of
water, with their ability to accumulate the pollutants like heavy metals in their tissues. The present study investigates the
removal efficiency of two heavy metals using Azolla microphylla Kaulf; a pteridophytic aquatic macrophyte. Azolla
microphylla was exposed to the prepared solutions of Lead (Pb) and Chromium (Cr) of 2 ppm, 4 ppm, 6ppm, 8 ppm and
10 ppm respectively. Experiments were carried out for a period of 7 days. The experiment showed that the
Pteridophytic aquatic macrophyte had maximum removal efficiency in Lead, compared to that of Chromium, thus
proving Azolla microphylla Kaulf as an excellent phytoremediator.