BIOREMEDIATION POTENTIAL OF SOME LOCAL GRASSES OF KARACHI CITY
Abstract
The study was conducted to explore bioremediation potential of four commonly growing grass species e.g. Khabal (Cynodon dactylon) (Linnaeus) Persoon, Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides) (Linnaeus) Nash, Elephant (Pennisetum purpureum) Schumach. and jungle rice (Echinochloa colona) (Linnaeus) Link, common inhabitants of industrial disposal point, Sharafi Goth, Karachi, Pakistan. The highest fresh and dry weight recorded in Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) i.e. 360g and 257g respectively. While the maximum shoot (147 cm) and root lengths (249 & 217 cm) were also revealed by the same species. The highest value of Lead (0.8 mg/kg) was observed in Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides), while Elephant (Pennisetum purpureum) showed the maximum bioaccumulation of Zinc (2.41 mg/kg) was observed in contaminated soil. However, high uptake level of Copper (2.44 mg/kg) and Cadmium (0.31 mg/kg) was observed from the mixed soil of Khabal (Cynodon dactylon). Whereas, Jungle rice (Echinochloa colona) exhibited remarkably low remediation capability. Keywords: Phytoremediation, Local Grass Species (Khabal, Vetiver, Elephant and Jungle rice grass), Heavy metals, Bioaccumulation Factor.