Phytoremediation of Heavy Metals Concentration in Asa River using Water Hyacinth

Fatukasi B. Adetutu, Fawole O. Olubanjo

Abstract: The level of heavy metals needs to be reduced to an incredibly low and acceptable level, the current research set out to investigate and quantify the amount of heavy metals being released into the Asa River in Ilorin as a result of nearby companies. Water hyacinth was used as a biosorbent to reduce the level of concentration of these heavy metals to a minimal level, and sections of the Asa River were studied to ascertain the results of effluent releases affecting water quality in terms of its physicochemical parameters and heavy metal concentration. Standard laboratory techniques were used to collect and analyze water samples from three distinct locations along the river's course for physicochemical and heavy metal components. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) were used to determine the concentration of the metals, Fourtier-transform infrared analysis (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) tests were also performed on the water hyacinth used as the heavy metal adsorbent. The findings demonstrated that the degree of pollution varied between sampling sites, that the water quality was tolerable at sampling site Upper stream (US) but became impaired in the Middle stream (MS) and relatively impaired in Lower stream (LS), indicating significant pollution from close-by industries, and that this pollution was reduced by using an aquatic plant (water hyacinth). Chromium metal ions in the Asa River were effectively removed by water hyacinth, particularly in MS and US and Cadmium in all the investigated sites. Depending on the contact time (24, 48, or 72 hours) at biosorbent dose (0.001g, 0.005g, 0.100g), The results thus revealed that the river's water may be adsorbed for use in agriculture and domestic use. Hence, it is recommended for industrial and domestic application.

Keywords: Heavy Metals, Physico-chemical, FTIR, SEM and EDX, Adsorption Process, Water hyacinth, Asa River