The New Indian Express             20.12.2013 

The people living in the endosulfan-affected regions of the state,
are facing risks due to the contamination of soil, but there is now a
silver lining.

The Centre for Water Resources Development and
Management (CWRDM), Kozhikode, has found a technique to remove
endosulfan toxicity from soil by utilising a locally available plant
‘Chittaratha’ (Alpinia calcarata).

 The study conducted by P S
Harikumar, Scientist, CWRDM and K Jesitha a Research Fellow, found that
the endosulfan can be removed from the soil during the first five days
by applying nanoscale – Zero Valent Iron (nZVI) to the root of
‘Chittaratha’ plant. Complete removal is possible within 15 days.

“Normally
the degradation of endosulfan from soil takes years. Our experiment
involves applying nZVI to the root of the plant using enhanced
phytoremediation technique for the removal of endosulfan. Among the
different plant species selected for the study, Chittaratha (Alpinia
calcarata) was found to be most effective,” says Harikumar.

The
plants aged 2 weeks were transplanted to pots containing soil
artificially spiked with endosulfan and nZVI. “We kept monitoring the
soil till the concentration of endosulfan reached below instrument
detection limit,” Harikumar said.

‘Chittaratha’ is a common plant
and the low-cost technique can easily be adopted in areas with
endosulfan contamination. “Nano Zero Valent Iron is emerging as new
option for the treatment of contaminated soil and groundwater,” he said.

M
A Rahman, an environment activist, says that in Kasargod, recent
studies have proved that soil is free of endosulfan. However he said
that the situation at Muthalamada in Palakkad and Chakkittapara in
Kozhikode is not known.

“The findings of the CWRDM should be seen a positive one. But attempts are being made not to accept the findings,” he said.