Pollution Research Paper

Vol 38, Issue 4, 2019; Page No.(1053-1060)

PHYTOREMEDIATION OF CHROMIUM (VI) USING MULBERRY SILKWORM FOOD CHAIN IN LAB-SCALE STUDY

PRIYANKA BAIDYA, PUNARBASU CHAUDHURI, MRITTIKA SENGUPTA AND SUBARNA BHATTACHARYYA

Abstract

Phytoremediation of hexavalent chromium (Cr VI) contaminated soil is a challenge throughout the world. In this study, the goal was to remove Cr (VI) from the soil and mulberry plants was selected. The plants were grown in pots and irrigated with 10 mg/L Cr(VI) containing water. The concentration of Cr(VI) in mulberry leaves, silkworm body, feces and silk fiber was determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) and 1,5-diphenylcarbazide colorimetric method. The physiological changes like slower locomotion, food consumption, amount of excretion were assessed qualitatively after consumption of Cr (VI) fortified leaves. The results indicated the accumulation of Cr(VI) increased through the tropic level. The accumulation of Cr(VI) was maximum in silk fiber (Bioaccumulation factor = 1.74) followed by body fluids of larvae, leaf and soil. The mobility index (MI) also showed the same increasing pattern from soil-leaf followed by leaf–larvae, larvae–excreta and larvae–silk fiber level. The MI data suggested that mulberry silkworm system is a potent phytoremediation method of Cr(VI) from contaminated soil. Production of silk utilizing Cr(VI) contaminated soil in used for alternative livelihood and socioeconomic upliftement of the local people where agriculture may lead to Cr (VI) contamination in human food chain.

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