A team of doctors and researchers from Hyderabad has revealed, after a two-decade-long study published in the International Journal of Scientific Research (IJSR) in November 2024, that three common plants—money plant (Epipremnum aureum), desert rose (Adenium obesum, known as Edaari Gulabi in Telugu), and banyan species (Ficus microcarpa, Ficus bengalensis, Ficus religiosa)—possess the ability to extract toxic metals from E-waste.
Updated On – 27 November 2024, 05:15 PM
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Hyderabad: Finding a sustainable and cost-effective way to manage and recycle E-waste, generated in huge quantities in this age of laptops, mobiles phones and televisions has been a major challenge for the modern-technology driven age. However, what if someone tells you that common household plants in our daily lives like the money plant (Epipremnum aureum) can be utilized to manage and even extract the toxic metals from E-waste?
A team of doctors and researchers from Hyderabad have recently showcased, after a two-decade long study, published in International Journal of Scientific Research (IJSR) (November, 2024), that three commonly occurring plants including the money plant (Epipremnum aureum), desert rose (Edaari Gulabi in Telugu) (Adenium obesum), and banyan species (Marri Chettu ) (Ficus microcarpa, bengalensis, religiosa) have the ability to extract toxic metals from E-waste .
These plants might be part of our daily lives, but they also have the special ability to extract toxic metals from E-waste. They can accumulate and potentially utilize these toxic metals from E-waste and even prevent leachate into the soil.
Led by noted sports medicine specialist from Hyderabad, Prof Major S Bhaktiyar Choudhary, the two-decade study aimed to investigate whether selected non-edible plants could or have the ability to extract heavy metals from E-waste, a process that is scientifically called as Phytoremediation, and help reduce environmental pollution in a sustainable way.
So what is Phytoremediation?
Phytoremediation is a technology that uses plants and even microorganisms to clean-up soil, air, water etc. The research team led by Dr Bhaktiyar, which also included, Ashad B Choudary and S Imran Hussain Choudhary, decided to check and if possible even showcase whether commonly occurring plants can play a role on reducing the impact of e-waste on our surroundings.
The researchers collected PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards), discarded electronic components from printers, CPUs etc, which were closely and tightly packed and mixed with standard garden soil composed of soil, sand, organic compost, gravel etc. The drainage holes of pots were sealed to prevent leaching of toxic chemicals outside the pots. The pots were watered in a controlled manner to prevent flooding and root rot. The healthy growth of the plants and leaching from the pot were monitored periodically, Dr Bhaktiyar said.
What did the researchers observe?
When the researchers analyzed the plants, they found that the three varieties of plants were significantly accumulating metals like Copper, Zinic, Arsenic, Lead and other heavy metals that are commonly occurring in the E-waste. The results have been recorded after the first decade while in thier second decade these plants are currently surviving healthy. There are no toxic effects on their vegetative parts, which was noted on periodic examination of plants, researchers added.
• Commonly occurring plants can absorb toxic metals from E-waste and survive
• Heavy metals like Copper, Zinc, Lead are being accumulated by the plants
• Marri Chettu, Money plantcan accumulate Copper.
• Ficus macrocarpa accumulated Lead (Pb) but continued to thrive normally
• Money plant is efficient in absorbing Zinc
• A common ornamental plant Adenium obesum can absorb all three heavy metals
• Three varieties of Ficus (Raavi Chettu) can absorb Pb or lead
