Volume 16, Issue 2, 2026
Phytoremediation As An Eco-Friendly Remediation Method For Reducing Contamination Of Heavy Metals From Contaminated Soil In Aligarh.
Geeta1, Ravi Kant2, Sandhya Chaudhary3*
1Research Scholar, Department of Chemistry, Mangalayatan University, Aligarh
2Professor, Department of Chemistry, Mangalayatan University, Aligarh
3Professor, Department of Chemistry, N. R. E. C. College, Khurja
*Corresponding Author: Sandhya Chaudhary, Professor, Department of Chemistry, N. R. E. C. College, Khurja
Received: 19th Oct, 2025; Revised: 12th Dec, 2025; Accepted: 16th Jan, 2026; Available Online: 15th Feb, 2026
ABSTRACT
Background: This research focused on phytoremediation as an eco-friendly method for reducing heavy metal contamination in soil. The heavy metals of concern included lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and zinc (Zn), which are commonly found in industrial and agricultural soils. The study was conducted in Aligarh, a region with varying levels of contamination.
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of phytoremediation in reducing contamination with Pb, Cd, and Zn from contaminated soils in Aligarh using three plant species: Phragmites australis (common reed), Helianthus annuus (sunflower), and Brassica juncea (Indian mustard).
Methodology: The study involved testing these three plant species in soils contaminated with Pb, Cd, and Zn at five different industrial and agricultural locations within Aligarh. Soil and plant samples (roots and shoots) were collected after a three-month growth period. The concentrations of heavy metals in the soil and plant tissues were measured using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA to obtain average differences in metal concentration across the sites, and Tukey's HSD test was used to determine significant differences between the groups.
Key Findings: The results showed that there were no significant differences in the Pb, Cd, and Zn levels in both soil and plant tissues across the five sites (p > 0.05). This suggests that the metal contamination in the soil did not vary geographically within the study area, and there was no clear geographical variation affecting the phytoremediation potential.
Conclusion: The study demonstrates that phytoremediation using Phragmites australis, Helianthus annuus, and Brassica juncea can effectively reduce heavy metal contamination in soil. The findings suggest that phytoremediation offers an affordable and sustainable solution for addressing heavy metal contamination, especially in urban and industrial areas.
Keywords: Phytoremediation, Heavy metals, Contaminated soil, Aligarh.
Graphical Abstract:
How to cite this article: Geeta, Kant R, Chaudhary S., Phytoremediation As An Eco-Friendly Remediation Method For Reducing Contamination Of Heavy Metals From Contaminated Soil In Aligarh..Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026; 16(2): 279-293; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.2.30
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None