Application of Eichornia crassipes in the removal of heavy metals from industrial wastewater: A review
Date
2025-06-06
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Abstract
Water pollution from industrial activities, especially the presence of heavy metals in wastewater, poses significant environmental challenges. This study aims to obtain experimental evidence of the successful application of Eichhornia crassipes or water hyacinth, as a precursor in the development of adsorbent materials for the removal of heavy metals from industrial wastewater. A systematic review of 60 scientific articles was conducted to assess the plant's potential in phytoremediation. Specifically, the review focuses on the classification of industrial wastewater based on heavy metal content and effluent quantity, the most successful approaches in phytoremediation, and techniques for obtaining and characterizing adsorbent materials. Furthermore, this study compares the efficacy of live Eichhornia crassipes versus its derived adsorbent materials in reducing and removing heavy metals from experimental aqueous matrices. The findings indicate that Eichhornia crassipes demonstrates significant potential for heavy metal removal, whether used as a living organism or as a precursor for adsorbent materials, providing a viable solution for wastewater treatment. However, further research is needed to optimize its application and mitigate its ecological risks as an invasive species.
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Water, Eichhornia, Heavy, Metal, Removal, Wastewater, Phytoremediiation, Crassipes