Sustainable Phytoremediation of Nickel-Contaminated Wastewater Using Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms

Abstract

Nickel (Ni) toxicity is a major environmental concern, posing serious risks to aquatic ecosystems, plant growth, and human health. This study highlights how water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) can be used as a simple, low-cost, and sustainable method to remove Ni from industrial wastewater. Importantly, it also validates that the dimethylglyoxime (DMG) colorimetric test is a reliable and easy-to-use tool for monitoring Ni uptake in real-time. When exposed to wastewater with varying Ni concentrations, the plants achieved over 90% removal in the highest concentration treatment within just 8 days. The results from the DMG assay closely matched those from atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), validating its effectiveness for practical field use. These findings demonstrate that integrating E. crassipes into wastewater treatment systems could greatly improve water quality in areas with limited resources—provided that the invasive biomass is managed responsibly. This approach offers a promising, accessible solution for communities dealing with heavy metal contamination.