Abstract

In the present study, we studied the feasibility of using Salicornia brachiata as a phytoremediant for accumulation of NaCl present in tannery wastewater. The plants were grown in pots fed with tannery wastewater with varying concentrations of NaCl. The accumulation of Na+ and Cl- increased with increase in salt concentration of tannery wastewater offered to the plant. The growth of the plants with respect to root and shoot length decreased with an increase in salt concentration. However, the accumulation of Na+ and Cl- increased with time of growth and plant density. 51% of Na+ and 33% of Cl- were absorbed by the plant at an NaCl concentration of 20 000ppm at high plant density conditions. Based on the results of trials, Salicornia brachiata was grown on open lands in Tamil Nadu State, India where tannery wastewater was discharged. The TDS levels of the land decreased from 10 300ppm to 5500ppm at the end of one year by the growth of S. brachiata. The maximum accumulation of Na+ and Cl- was observed during the period July to September. The results of the present work indicate that S. brachiata can be used to accumulation of sodium chloride from tannery wastewater discharged lands, thereby contributing towards solving TDS problem arising from the leather sector.