6. Hydroponic Removal of Organic Contaminants from Water

With an expanding population, food production and other developmental activities increase. These activities are the primary cause of increasing soil, water and environmental pollution. Several physical, chemical and biological methods have been developed to remove these contaminants, but these methods could be more economical and environmentally sound. Nowadays, organic pollutants like pesticides, dyes, pharmaceuticals, oils, phenols, etc., have become a severe problem causing pollution to the aquatic environment. Hydroponics is gaining importance because it is environmentally friendly and cost-effective. Many aquatic plants like Lemma minor, Eichhornia crassipes, Junsus effuses, Pontederia cordata, Potamogeton crispus, etc., can reclamation organic pollutants in water. There are various techniques like rhizofiltration, phytodegradation, phytovolatilisation, phytoextraction and phytostabilization utilizing which these plants can remove the contaminants from water. This chapter discusses macrophytes’ potential to remove organic pollutants thoroughly.