Harnessing Nature: The Phytoremediation Potential of Sesuvium portulacastrum L. for Heavy Metal Removal from Industrially Contaminated Soil

Sesuvium portulacastrum L. (sea purslane) is a halophytic species characterized by its exceptional tolerance to saline and coastal conditions. This study investigates the phytoremediation capacity of S. portulacastrum L. for the stabilization of heavy metals from industrially contaminated soils in the Hazira industrial belt of Surat, Gujarat. Soil samples were collected from various industrial sites, including inlets, outlets, and discharge points near the Tapi River, and analyzed for physicochemical properties and heavy metal concentrations. S. portulacastrum was vegetatively grown in collected soil from three different locations. The results demonstrated significant removal efficiencies, with maximum accumulation observed for nickel, copper, and lead. Specifically, soil samples from the industrial inlet showed removal efficiencies of 79.73% for nickel and 74.13% for copper; samples from the industrial outlet exhibited 76.29% for lead and 73.55% for copper; and samples from the Tapi River displayed 77.31% for nickel and 76.44% for lead. These findings brought the phytoremediation effectiveness of S. portulacastrum for heavy metal contamination of industrially polluted environments. This study offers an economically viable and ecologically sustainable remediation approach.