Phytoremediation of heavy metal from leachate using imperata cylindrica

Abstract

Landfill leachate has many toxic substances, which may adversely affect the environmental health. The high concentration of heavy metal in landfill leachate creates complication to its removal and management. Hence this research was conducted to explore the ability of phytoremediation using Imperata cylindrica to remove Lead, Zinc and Cadmium; which is deemed to be nature friendly and sustainable. Raw landfill leachates were taken from the collection ponds at Jeram Sanitary Landfill and placed in fabricated phytoremediation system at UiTM laboratory. Heavy metal concentration of leachate from this system was monitored for 30 days. It was found that Imperata cylindrica is able to remove lead, Zinc and Cadmium from the leachate.