ABSTRACT
Arsenic contamination of wastewater poses a serious environmental and public health challenge due to its toxicity, persistence, and bioaccumulative nature. Conventional arsenic removal technologies are often costly, energy-intensive, and generate secondary pollutants, limiting their applicability in developing regions. The present study evaluates the phytoremediation potential of the terrestrial ornamental plant Syngonium podophyllum for arsenic removal from contaminated wastewater using a laboratory-scale constructed wetland (CW) system. Synthetic wastewater containing arsenic at concentrations of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 mg/L⁻¹ was treated over 25 days, and the removal efficiency was monitored at regular intervals. Results indicated an apparent time-dependent increase in arsenic removal, with maximum efficiency (93.33%) observed at an initial concentration of 5 mg L⁻¹ after 25 days. Removal efficiency declined with increasing arsenic concentration, suggesting concentration-dependent inhibition of phytoremediation. One-way ANOVA confirmed a statistically significant effect of initial arsenic concentration on removal efficiency (p < 0.001). Bioaccumulation analysis revealed tissue-specific arsenic distribution following the order root > shoot > leaf, indicating limited translocation to aerial parts. The findings demonstrate that S. podophyllum is a practical, low-cost, and environmentally sustainable bio-agent for arsenic phytoremediation in constructed wetlands, particularly under low to moderate levels of contamination.
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