Use of water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes (MART.) Solms as phytoremediator in sewage fed aquaculture system

Abstract

Wastewater management is of prime importance in the era of water deficiency for domestic purposes, agriculture and aquaculture. Phytoremediation involves utilisation of aquatic plants for remediating heavy metals and other pollutants from aquatic ecosystems. Efficiency of Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms as a potential bioremidiator in the Ramsar site Nalban bheri wetland of West Bengal is studied here. About 120 ha of area of Nalban bheri wetland were selected for the study, and were divided into three sections. Floating weed Eichhornia crassipes were maintained on water spread area and were screened for the presence and accumulation of heavy metals in plants, monthly. Bioconcentration factor and translocation factor were also estimated and discussed herewith. The present study recommends water hyacinth as a potential bioremidiator for controlling heavy metasl in open freshwater bodies.