A Review on the Environmental Impact and Management of Sugar Mill Effluent Through Phytoremediation

Abstract

The discharge of untreated effluents from sugar mills leads to the accumulation of toxic metals and metalloids such as Copper (Cu) (6.88–0.032 mg/L), Zinc (Zn) (20.0–0.26 mg/L), Iron (Fe) (44.27–1.228 mg/L), Manganese (Mn) (11.45–0.095 mg/L), Chromium (Cr) (2.72–0.012 mg/L), Nickel (Ni) (0.19 mg/L), Lead (Pb) (0.52–0.032 mg/L), Cadmium (Cd) (7.33–0.02 mg/L), and Arsenic (As) (0.2 mg/L). This poses significant hazards to both the environment and human health. Phytoremediation methods have the potential to mitigate the adverse effects of toxic substances on both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. These methods utilize the natural ability of plants to absorb mineral nutrients from soil and water sources. Certain terrestrial and aquatic plant species show remarkable efficacy in removing both organic and inorganic pollutants. Numerous plants, including Typha latifolia, Eichhornia crassipes, Euphorbia prostrata, Lemna minor, Pistia stratiotes, and Salvinia minima, are effective metal accumulators for cleaning up heavy-metal-polluted water and soil. By employing advanced phytoremediation techniques, the phytoremediation capability of these plants can be further enhanced. Overall, phytoremediation offers a simple, practical, economical, sustainable, and artistic process that eliminates pollutants from the soil and water in a natural way. It is also a conservational procedure that may be used in the amelioration of sugar mill effluents as well as may be utilized in the future to clean air, water, and soil. The present review highlights the current status of the toxicity of sugar mill effluents and the intervention of technologically advanced treatments/processes (biological and chemical) to enhance its phytoremediation efficacy. Moreover, the present review also elucidates the secondary benefits of phytoremediation applications. This technique can be utilized in the production of biomass-based energy, feedstock for pyrolysis, biofortified products, and carbon sequestrations, which can contribute to phyto management programs.