Environmental Engineering Project: Phytoremediation of KGF Groundwater

This project, conducted for a master's degree at VIT University, focuses on the treatment of groundwater in the Kolar Gold Fields (KGF), India, using phytoremediation techniques. The research, spanning from August 2011 to May 2013, investigated the impact of underground gold mining on groundwater quality, particularly concerning total dissolved solids, hardness, and electrical conductivity. The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of vetiver grass, water lettuce, and water hyacinth in treating contaminated groundwater. The project involved collecting groundwater samples, analyzing water quality parameters, and conducting experiments with plant species in synthetic solutions. The research also addressed technical challenges encountered during the project, such as optimizing plant growth rates and ensuring accurate water sample collection and analysis. The findings, including removal efficiencies for various water quality parameters, were published in the International Journal of Environmental Engineering.