Phytoremediation efficacy of Sesuvium portulacastrum L. in mitigating industrial effluents and heavy metal contamination

Sesuvium portulacastrum L. is a halophytic plant species used for sand-dune fixation, desalination, and phytoremediation along coastal regions. This study investigates the potential of S. portulacastrum to remediate pollutants such as heavy metals found in industrial discharges. As a halophytic plant, S. portulacastrum demonstrates remarkable tolerance to high salinity and heavy metals, making it a promising candidate for environmental remediation. Over a 30-day experimental period, wastewater samples from the Tapi River and industrial sources were subjected to physicochemical characterization. Initial analyses revealed elevated concentrations of total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness (TH), chemical oxygen demand (COD), nitrates, chlorides, and heavy metals such as zinc, iron, and lead, indicating significant pollution levels. A specially designed bioreactor facilitated the treatment process, resulting in TSS removal rates of 86.30% in river water and 71.90% in the industrial inlet, while TDS removal reached 71.90% in the industrial inlet. The study also highlighted the plant’s capacity for heavy metal bioaccumulation, achieving substantial reductions in chromium (60.12%), zinc (65.01%), iron (96.37%), manganese (69.82%), copper (44.83%), nickel (61.98%), cadmium (85.56%), and lead (67.35%). These findings underscore the potential of S. portulacastrum as an effective bioremediation agent for treating wastewater contaminated with heavy metals and organic pollutants, contributing to sustainable environmental management practices. Furthermore, this research highlights the potential of plant species in environmental remediation and provides a foundation for future studies to enhance phytoremediation techniques using natural plant-based solutions in polluted aquatic ecosystems. Furthermore, this research highlights the potential of plant species in environmental remediation and provides a foundation for future studies to enhance phytoremediation methods using natural plant-based solutions in polluted aquatic ecosystems. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2025.