Ang, Cabie, Eusebio, Valerio

Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Contamination of bodies of water by heavy metals poses a big health and environmental

risks by lowering the quality of water [1]. These heavy metal contaminants may come from

natural sources, present in soil accumulating over time into unsafe levels, or from numerous

industries specifically from the agricultural sector arising from the use of inorganic

fertilizers. The presence of heavy metals in the soil can hamper plant germination, growth

affecting production. Plants growing in soils with high levels of Cd for example exhibit signs

of chlorosis-reflected damage, restriction of development, browning of root tips, and

eventually death. In the case of humans and animals consuming contaminated agricultural

produce, may cause damage to organs and raise the risks of developing cancer. Thus,

contamination of bodies of water by heavy metals have become a big concern, and ways to

filter and remove the contaminants are being continuously researched and improved.

Water is critical for survival for every living organism, which is why water filtration became

fundamental due to defilement of water bodies in most parts of the world [2]. We have

advanced wafer processing technologies, but the cost is not economical. There are natural

ways to treat water that has been used for hundreds and thousands of years since man -

made substitutes are available [2]. Plants are known to live by introducing oxygen and

eliminating carbon dioxide in water filtration. Some plants have a remarkable ability 2 to

remove heavy metals and pollutants thus promoting beneficial bacteria’s development [2].
Ang, Cabie, Eusebio, Valerio

Plants are known to live by introducing oxygen and eliminating carbon dioxide in water

filtration. Some plants have a remarkable ability to remove heavy metals and pollutants

thus promoting beneficial bacteria’s development [2].

Vetiver grass is a tall (1-2m), fast growing, perennial tussock grass. It has a long (3-4 m),

massive and complex root system, which can penetrate to the deeper layer of the soil. [3]

Vetiver grass is native to south and south-east Asia where it has been grown for centuries

for roof thatching, fodder for livestock, and perfumery and cosmetic industries. [3] Vetiver

grass was first used for soil conservation and land stabilization purposes in Fiji in the early

1950s and promoted by the World Bank for soil and water conservation in India in the

1980s. [4] It is likely that

vetiver grass technology will become one of the leading biological systems of soil and water

conservation, land rehabilitation, and embankment stabilization in the 21st century. [5]

Vetiver grass is a promising candidate for water filtration due to its absorption rate of heavy

metals, sturdiness and how common it is to find in the environment. It can stabilize sloping

surfaces by mitigating runoff and erosion on surfaces. It is resistant to flow conditions which

make it possible to be partially submerged in water. This is due to its expansive root system

which reach deep into the ground at a depth of 3-4 meters and serves as main factor

contributing to its efficiency in filtration. Due to its morphological characteristics, it can be

used to treat wastewater specifically in removing nitrogen. These characteristics make it a

viable candidate in efficient water filtration and treatment. [6]

Ang, Cabie, Eusebio, Valerio

1.2 Significance of the Study

This research aims mainly to look into the usage of vetiver as a low cost, alternative and

efficient filtration material to reduce the impact of irrigation runoffs and consumer waste

on environment caused by heavy metals, specifically lead by processing and treating the

water before it is released into natural bodies of water, mainly freshwater. These heavy

metals often accumulate and cause possible health risks and environmental degradation.

For future research and engineers, this study will be able to provide information and

guidelines in usage of vetiver grass for filtration of contaminated water. Since vetiver grass

is economically viable and easy to acquire due to its natural properties, as well as easily

replaced, it is suitable for poorer areas where its water is not treated. This would benefit

also people who are looking into economical and environmentally friendly ways of filtrating

water when industrial standards of water filtration are not feasible or out of reach.

1.3 Objectives

The main objective of the study is to construct an analytical analysis for the performance

of vetiver grass in filtering the amount of Lead of contaminated water.

Specific objectives are outlined below:

• To gather studies about the vetiver grass and its filtration capabilities.

• To determine the correlation of the variables chosen for the study and the reduced

lead content of the water sample. The chosen variables are the density of vetiver

grass, the length of its roots and the concentration lead of the water sample.

• To evaluate the effectiveness of Vetiver Grass through the reduced percentage of

lead of the water sample.

Ang, Cabie, Eusebio, Valerio

1.4 Scopes and Delimitation

The study will concentrate on the application of the analytical analysis for the performance

of vetiver grass in the filtration of lead contained in contaminated water. The correlation

of the reduced lead content and the variables such as density of vetiver grass, its root length

and the concentration of the lead in the water same will be shown in the study. The

researchers will gather data from existing studies about vetiver grass and its filtration

capabilities. The data will be used to make a graphical representation of the vetiver grass'

lead filtration performance. The studies that will be gathered are from different countries.

The researchers will limit the study to the analytical analysis of the performance of vetiver

grass in reduction of lead considering the variables chosen for this study.

1.5 Conceptual Framework

The framework in Figure 1 shows the summary of the study where all data take place. The

data from the different studies was used as an input variable by the researchers. All data will

be analyze using statistical analysis specifically linear regression to determine the reduce

amount of chemical content of Lead (Pb) in percentage.

Ang, Cabie, Eusebio, Valerio

Output
(A+B)

Input
A. Concentration of Lead
Output
(A+B+C)
Input
Vetiver Grass Reduced amount
B.Length of Plants
of Lead
Output
Input (A+C)
C. Density of Plants

Output
(B+C)

1.6 Definition of Terms

Vetiver Grass - Chrysopogon zizanioides, commonly known as vetiver, is a perennial

bunchgrass of the family Poaceae, native to India. Vetiver is most closely related to Sorghum

but shares many morphological characteristics with other fragrant grasses, such as

lemongrass, citronella, and palmarosa.

Heavy metals - are naturally occurring elements that have a high atomic weight and a

density at least 5 times greater than that of water. Raising concerns over their potential

effects on human health and the environment. Their toxicity depends on several factors

including the dose, route of exposure, and chemical species.

Plant Germination - The beginning of the growth of a seed into a seedling. Cadmium - is a

lustrous, silver-white, ductile, very malleable metal.

Ang, Cabie, Eusebio, Valerio

Chlorosis - is a yellowing of leaf tissue due to a lack of chlorophyll. Possible causes of

chlorosis include poor drainage, damaged roots, compacted roots, high alkalinity, and

nutrient deficiencies in the plant.

Contamination - something impure or unsuitable by contact with something unclean, bad,

etc. the act of contaminating, or of rendering something harmful or unusable by the

addition of radioactive materials.

Filtration - the process in which solid particles in a liquid or gaseous fluid are removed by

the use of a filter medium that permits the fluid to pass through but retains the solid

particles.
Ang, Cabie, Eusebio, Valerio

REFERENCES

[1] K. Kralova, J. Jampilek, and I. Ostrovsky, “Metabolomics - Useful Tool for Study of Plant

Responses to Abiotic Stresses,” Ecological Chemistry and Engineering S, vol. 19, no. 2, Nov. 08,

2011. [Online serial]. Available: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10216-011- 0012-0 [Accessed Date:

Sept. 27, 2019].

[2] K.T. Parker, “Natural Materials Used for Water Filtration”, Apr. 24, 2017. [Online]. Available:

https://sciencing.com/natural-materials-used-water-filtration-5371122.html [Accessed Date: Sept.

27, 2019].

[3] Y. Chen, Z. Shen, and X. Li, “The use of Vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides) in the

phytoremediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals”. [Online Document]. Available:

https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/61013537.pdf [Accessed Date: Sept. 29, 2020].

[4] P.A. Dalton, R.J. Smith, P.N.V. Truong, “Vetiver grass hedges for erosion control on a cropped

flood plain: Hedge hydraulics, Agriculture, Water Manage”, vol. 31, no. 91-104, 1996. [Online

document] Available: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0378377495012303

[Accessed Date: Sept. 29, 2020].

[5] R.G. Grimshaw, Vetiver grass technology and its application in China.

Vetiver Newsletter, vol. 1, no. 4-6, 1997. [Online document]. Available:

https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/61013537.pdf [Accessed Date: Sept. 29, 2020].

[6] A. Donaldson and L. Grimshaw, Treating Wastewater with Vetiver Grass. Washington:

University of Washington, 2013. [Accessed Date: Sept. 29, 2019].