Sequestration and remediation of heavy metals by <i>Brassica</i> sp at Hindan river sites

Abstract

Various kinds of industries have grown up in and around city Ghaziabad (Sahibabad industrial area). The river Hindan is the principal sink of industrial effluents and agricultural wastewater. Industries discharge effluents directly into the river Hindan. The pollution is widespread but varies in its intensity and toxicity from place to place. The analyses and monitoring of some plants grown with water contaminated with industrial effluent revealed the accumulation pattern of various heavy metals like Hg²⁺, Cd²⁺,, Pb²⁺, Nj²⁺ and Zn²⁺ in different plants. Among the plants tested only <i>Brassica</i><i>juncea</i><i> </i>has potential to withstand contaminated river samples as it has means to sequester toxic metals in specific compartments.