The Application of Recycled Jute Non-woven Material Loaded with Zinc Ions as Substrates for Plant Growth

Abstract

The challenges posed by polluted effluents containing heavy metal ions and the increasing amounts of textile waste necessitate prompt action. In response to these environmental concerns, a non-woven sorbent made from jute fibers, recycled from the carpet industry, has been developed. To enhance the sorption capacity for Zn2+ ions, the jute fibers were modified with the biopolymer alginate. The successful application of the alginate coating on the jute fibers was proved through FTIR and FESEM analyses. The presence of carboxyl and hydroxyl groups in alginate led to a 68% increase in sorption capacity. An increase in the initial concentration of ions, pH, and temperature was found to facilitate larger uptake of Zn2+ ions. To mitigate environmental risks associated with metal-saturated sorbents and accumulating textile waste, while addressing zinc deficiency in plants, the developed sorbents were evaluated as growth substrates for Lactuca sativa (lettuce) and Setaria viridis (green bristlegrass), two economically important plant species. Jute waste-growth substrates coated with alginate and enriched with Zn can provide mechanical support, humidity, and a source of this essential micronutrient to plants during early growth stages. Optimization of Zn concentration in the growth substrate can lead to the elevated levels of Zn in plant tissues, but also to the increased content of valuable bioactive compounds. Thus, recycling highly biodegradable natural jute waste and reusing it as plant growth substrates can have profound effects on environmental protection and can also be beneficial to human nutrition and health