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Title: Water hyacinth as indicator of heavy metal pollution the tropics

Journal Article · · Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; (USA)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01702064· OSTI ID:6788971
;  [1];  [2]
  1. Institute of Transport Investigations, Havana (Cuba)
  2. Univ. of Helsinki (Finland)

The water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is a common aquatic plant in many tropical countries. Its ability absorb nutrients and other elements from the water has made it possible to use it for water purification purposes. Eichhornia, especially stems and leaves, have been successfully used as indicators of heavy metal pollution in tropical countries. The uptake of heavy metals in this plant is stronger in the roots than in the floating shoots. Metallothionein-like compounds have been found from roots of this species after cadmium exposure. The purpose of this investigation was to study the possibilities of using roots of water hyacinth as a biological indicator of metal pollution in tropical aquatic ecosystems.

OSTI ID:
6788971
Journal Information:
Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; (USA), Vol. 43:6; ISSN 0007-4861
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English