Effectiveness of Vetiver grass versus other plants for phytoremediation of contaminated water

Abstract

Worldwide water pollution level in the last few decades has been exponentially increased as a result of industrialisation. This global increase occurs in both developed and developing countries, but more significantly in the latter. Vetiver System Technology, which is based on Vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides L. Roberty) has been successfully used as a phytoremediation tool to remediate both polluted water (municipal wastewater such as sewage effluent, landfill leachate, urban runoff, drainage channels, industrial wastewater such as food processing factories, contaminated land (mine overburden and tailings, solid waste dumps, etc.), due to its extraordinary and unique morphological and physiological characteristics.This review focuses on the treatment of polluted domestic and industrial wastewater by hydroponics and constructed wetlands treatment methods. Based on the finding, Vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides L. Roberty) has a similar potential and often more effective rather than two other Vetiver genotypes and other commonly used macrophytes such as Cyperus species, Phragmites species, Typha species in treating a wide range of industrial and domestic wastewater, polluted rivers and lakes. In addition, Vetiver has the potential to be used for additional benefits after phytoremediation, such as raw material for handicrafts, essential oil and its derived products, industrial products (raw material for pulp and paper), fibreboard.