# Advancements in Phytoremediation Research in South Africa (1997-2022)
## 3 Results and Discussion
### Examples of Successful Phytoremediation Projects in South Africa
Their results indicated that grass density is proportional to the Cr(VI) removal efficiency. The experiment showed complete removal of Cr(VI) at a low concentration (5 ppm solution) in 26 days, while 82% removal was reported for the 30 ppm Cr(VI) solution in 30 days. The buildup of chromium in the vetiver leaves could make it \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c} \hline \hline
**Method** & **Plant Species** & **Pollutants Removed** & **References** \\ \hline Phytoextraction & _Chrysopogon zizanioides_ & Chromium & [49] \\ \hline Phytostabilization and & _Salix micronucle_ & Cadmium, Copper, and Lead & [15] \\ Phytoextraction & _Berkhya coddii_ & Nickel & [34] \\ \hline Phytoextraction & _Phragmites australis_ & B, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mg, Ni, and Zn & [16] \\ \hline Phytostabilization & _Helianthus annuus_ & Cu & [50] \\ \hline Phytoextraction & _Helianthus annuus_ & Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn & [43] \\ \hline Phytoextraction & _Mantiot esculenta_ & Nickel & [51] \\ \hline Phytoextraction & _Phragmites australis_ and _Cyperus textilis_ & \begin{tabular}{c} Ammonia, Nitrate, \\ Orthophosphate, and Glyphosate \\ \end{tabular} & [52] \\ \hline Phytodegradation & _Chromolaena odorata, Aspliia Africana,_ & \
\begin{tabular}{c} Arocol and Transformer Oil \\ \end{tabular} & [53] \\ \hline Phycoremediation & _Chlorella vulgaris and Chlorella_ &
\begin{tabular}{c} Total Phosphates and \\ Total Nitrogen \\ \end{tabular} & [54] \\ \hline Phytoextraction & _Cordorus olivitorius_ & Lead & [55] \\ \hline Phytoextraction & _Pennisteum clandestinum_ & Cadmium & [56] \\ \hline Phytostabilization and & _Helichrysum splendidatum_ & Lead and Copper & [57] \\ \hline Phytoextraction & _Chromolaena odorata_ & Crude oil, Cd, Ni, and Zn & [58] \\ \hline Phytoremediation & _Vetiveria zizanioides_ & Zn, Mn, Ni, and Cu & [59] \\ \hline Phytoextraction & _Eichhornia crassipes_ & Phosphates and Nitrates & [22] \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 4: _Cont._suitable for extraction and recovery of the chromium. Therefore, vetiver grass can be used as a remediation tool for phytoextraction and/or phytostabilization of metals. Furthermore, _Phragmites australis_ and _Cyperus textilis_ have been deployed for the reclamation of Renosterveld vegetation in the Western Cape Province of South Africa [52]. The contamination of Renosterveld vegetation and water bodies has been traced to the runoff from the excessive application of fertilizer and herbicide on agricultural land [68]. Ruens Silcrete Renosterveld is adjacent to the Breede River, which originates from the mountains of the Ceres basin, Western Cape, South Africa. The rate of deterioration of Ruens Silcrete Renosterveld vegetation is frightening. Thus, [PERSON] et al. [52] investigated the performance of 14 indigenous wetland species occurring in Ruens Silcrete Renosterveld vegetation in a laboratory phytoremediation system. Their result indicated all wetland species had significant removal efficiencies for both herbicides and fertilizer than unvegetated soil. _Phragmites australis_ and _Cyperus textilis_ are the most effective species, with 95.87% and 96.42% removal, respectively. Therefore, these species can be considered for inclusion in vegetative buffer strips in river corridors.