Application of aquatic plants for the remediation of organic chlorine pesticides in keenjhar lake, Pakistan

Soomal Baloch

Abstract

 Organochlorine pesticides are one of the most extensively used agrochemicals for long. They were mostly used for agriculture and in mosquito, termite control programs (WANG et al., 2007). OC pesticides have low aqueous solubility and lipophilic properties, which enables it to ingest in the food chain posing health hazard and threats to environment (Sarkar et al., 2008). Many metabolites of OC, pesticides are stable in environment with longer half-lives. Many studies have shown that DDT and its derivatives are still found in the highest concentration(Singh & Singh, 2017). Recent research has indicated the presence of OC pesticides and it’s derivate in water, vegetation, sediment and biota of many regions across the world. Its stability and endurance in the environment through air, water and food cause chronic toxicity in human and animals (Barnhoorn et al., 2015; Łozowicka et al., 2016; Wu et al., 2015; Yang et al., 2015). OC pesticides should transform into non-toxic form because of its persistent nature and biodegradability. A number of conventional technologies have been used to remove OC pesticides contamination, each have its benefits and limitations (Gomes et al., 2012; Ikehata et al., 2008). To treat waste water in an economical and environmental friendly way the method of phytoremediation is widely used.