I. JEEVAN MADHUKAR AND C.V. NARASIMHA MURTHY
Abstract
Processing of large bulk of fish, shrimp and other aquatic organisms produces a corresponding large bulk of by-products and wastes. Although recent trend shows that much of these wastes are made into various value added products, considerable quantities are discharged as the processing effluents with large volume of waters used in processing. Reports suggest that fish and shrimp processing effluents are very high in Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), fat-oil-grease (FOG), pathogenic and other micro flora, organic matters and nutrients, etc. Fish and shrimp processing effluents are, therefore, highly likely to produce adverse effects on the receiving coastal and marine environments. Phytoremediation is an attractive alternative to conventional treatments of soil due to advantages such as low cost, large application areas, and the possibility of in situ treatment. This study presents the assessment of phytoremediation processes conducted under controlled experimental conditions to evaluate the ability of Brassica juncea (L.) Czern., tropical plant species, to promote the degradation of extractable organic matter. The results shows that there is a decrease in BOD, COD, TDS, TSS and FOG contents in Brassica juncea (L.) treated pots over control.