Radionuclides mobilization through extraction from ores and processing for various applications has led to the discharge of these harmful elements into the environment. These contaminants pose a great risk to human health and environment. Remediation of radionuclides and toxic heavy metals deserves the proper attention. Conventional remediation methods used for polluted environments have many limitations including high costs, alteration in soil properties, and disruption in soil native microflora. Alternatively, phytoremediation can serve as a prospective method for decontamination and rehabilitation of polluted sites. The term phytoremediation actually refers to a diverse collection of plant-based technologies, i.e. either naturally occurring or genetically engineered plants are used for cleaning the contaminated environment. Phytoremediation techniques are eco-friendly, cost-effective, easy to implement, and offer an aesthetic value and solar-driven processes with better public acceptance. Practicing various agronomic alterations as well as spatial and successful combination of different plant species assures maximal phytoremediation efficiency. Plants and microorganisms can be genetically modified to remediate the contaminated ecosystems at an accelerated rate. We can harvest better results from phytoremediation technologies by learning more about the different biological processes involved. The future of phytoremediation comprises of ongoing research work and has to go through a developmental phase and several technical barriers. Several attempts still need to be performed with multidisciplinary approach for successful future phytoremedial programmes. This report comprehensively reviews the background, techniques, concept and future course in phytoremediation of heavy metals, particularly radionuclides.
Chelator-assisted phytoextraction has been proposed as a potential tool for phytoremediation of uranium contaminated tailings. The purpose of the present investigation was to test the efficiency of the four various chelators namely, citric acid (CA), oxalic acid (OA), NTA and EDTA and to screen out the most effective chelator with promising concentration of it in increasing the U uptake and accumulation for phytoremedial programmes. Three kilograms of mixture (25:75; tailing: garden soil) was filled in the earthen pots. Treatment pots were prepared by applying- 0.1, 0.5, 2.5 and 12.5 mmol kg-1 concentrations of each of the chelator (CA, OA, NTA and EDTA). Optimum concentrations of the chelators were recorded considering biomass production, tolerance index and U uptake. Each chelator produced severe toxicity symptoms at 12.5 mmol kg-1 treatment level. Lowest depression in respect of growth was observed with NTA while OA and CA were proved less toxic than EDTA. Highest inhibition was recorded in EDTA treatments at respective levels. U uptake and accumulation was concentration dependent for each of the chelator amendment. Maximum U uptake (3.4-fold) in the roots occurred at 2.5 mmol kg-1 of CA while NTA proved to be the weakest for the same purpose. Not with standing, EDTA and NTA are stronger complexion agents than CA but in contrary, the use of CA proved beneficial in U tailing phytoremediation in the present investigation. The growth of the wheat plants was affected by each of the chelator, which in general follows the order: NTA ? OA ? CA ? EDTA, whereas the order for U accumulation was recorded as- CA > EDTA > OA > NTA. On the basis of this study it can be suggested that the use CA over EDTA is better, as it is easily biodegradable, less toxic and has lower leaching risk..
The radioactive mineral deposits of Bhilwara district lies at Bhunas and Jahazpur areas. In Jahazpur, Dhor and Teekhi ka Jhonpara are the main sites of uranium occurrence. Navaratan Sagar of Dhor, Jahazpur Basin, Bhilwara (Rajasthan), a water body, situated at 25 o 31' North latitude and 75 o 20' East Longitude. The said water body (Navaratan Sagar) is situated around uranium mineralization site of Dhor. Water bodies constitute a treasury of biodiversity. These have highly complex water and land interactive systems and are supposed to be the most fertile and productive sites. These are providing the habitat to the local and migratory bird species and playing key role in maintaining the balance in natural environmental parameters. Birds occupy a special position in an aquatic ecosystem. They not only have an aesthetic role but also occupy a very special position in the food chain. Birds, like all organisms, depend on their habitats for food, water, shelter and opportunities to breed and raise young. Climate change may alter animal behaviour, population size, species distributions, plant/animal communities as well as ecosystem function and stability. Biodiversity differs from place to place so because environmental conditions of the area as well as the range of tolerance of the species can occur in that area. Environmental changes due to natural metal mineralization also exert the selective pressure on biodiversity. Hence, every mineralization site has its specific biodiversity which may be indicator of that mineralization. There is very little work on aquatic bird diversity around uranium mineralization areas in India, in general and Navaratan Sagar of Dhor, Jahazpur Basin of Rajasthan, in particular. The important aim of this work was to evaluate the general bird diversity and explore indicator bird species of uranium mineralization. The all sighted birds around Navatan Sagar of Dhor, uranium mineralization site were common and fresh water resident. A total of 26 bird species belonging to 19 families were encountered during the study period. Among these, 21 species were resident, and 5 species were winter migrants. No indicator bird species for uranium mineralization was observed. Water samples from different sites were also collected to record physico-chemical parameters. The water of Navaratan Sagar has good amount of dissolved oxygen reflects that it is an undisturbed fresh water ecosystem. Diminution in water retention in this water body in summer has affected the bird diversity in the study area. It is concluded that Navaratan Sagar may be a good habitat to local and migratory birds.
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