Role Of Lotus (Nelumbo Nucifera) In Phytoremediation Of Heavy Metals And Water Quality Improvement

The environment of earth is being threatened by many pollutants specially the heavy metals discharged from point and non- point sources. Removal of heavy metals from wastewater is necessary for clean the environment and ecosystem. Heavy metals are spread wildly in water effect the aquatic ecosystem and organism of ponds and lakes. The purpose of this study that the phytoremediation of pollutants caused in Ponds and lakes released by industries and agriculture waste using Nelumbo nucifera (Lotus plant). This research focus on capability of Lotus plant in water treatment by eco- friendly and sustainable methods for physiochemical pollutants and heavy metals. This phytoremediation experiment was conducted using selected concentration 25 % of different pond and lake waste water for 21 days in three different seasons of 2022 and 2023 in Rajasthan. The results showed that Nelumbo nucifera can reduced the physiochemical pollutants and heavy metals from water. The maximum reduction of TSS by 50%, COD by 39%, DO increase by 39%, TDS reduced by 30%, BOD by 27%, pH by 12 % and heavy metals ( Lead : 33%, Copper : 30%, Fluoride : 22% and Nitrate : 22%).  This study contribute to the application of lotus aquatic plant to heavy metals removal from moderately contaminated lake and pond. Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in lotus stem and roots by enzymes and microbes, it is affected by temperature and Ph of water. Massive roots and leaf of lotus have large surface area for reduction of physiochemical pollutants from water.