Seasonal performance of aquatic macrophytes in improving physicochemical parameters of swine wastewater / Desempenho sazonal de macrófitas aquáticas na melhoria de parâmetros físico-químicos de efluente de suinocultura

Abstract Swine wastewaters (SW) present organic load and nutrient content, what have caused degradation of water quality in many watercourses. Thus, the aquatic macrophytes represent an alternative for the depollution of these wastewaters, due to the high recovery power. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms, Pistia stratiotes L. and Salvinia auriculata Aubl. in improving the physicochemical targets of SW, as well as to quantify the total ammoniacal nitrogen (NH4+) and total phosphorus (total P) in the plant tissue of the macrophytes and the dry matter biomass (DMB) in two seasons of the year (spring and winter). The experiment was designed in a randomized block design, with 4 treatments (T) with 4 replicates: T1 = Control (without plants); T2 = E. crassipes; T3 = P. stratiotes; and T4 = S. auriculata, submitted to a SW diluted in 50% water. The monitoring is done in tanks during a period of 30 days of each season. Electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen (DO), turbidity, NH4+ and dissolved phosphorus (P) were analyzed in the SW. In the plants, the contents of NH4+, total P and DMB were determined. It was verified that, in the spring, the plants showed higher production of DMB and a more significant reduction of EC, NH4+ and P, when compared to the plants managed in the SW in the winter. E. crassipes was more efficient at removing P (39%) and total NH4+ (80.2%), and EC reducing (92%) of SW and DMB production in the spring. The results demonstrated that the NH4+ uptake by E. crassipes contributed to a considerable removal of NH4+ and P from SW.

Resumo Os efluentes da suinocultura apresentam elevado teor de carga orgânica e de nutrientes, o que dificulta o seu tratamento. Dessa forma, as macrófitas aquáticas representam uma alternativa para a despoluição desses efluentes, devido ao alto poder de absorção que essas plantas possuem. Neste contexto, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o desempenho das plantas Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms, Pistia stratiotes L. e Salvinia auriculata Aubl. na melhoria das características físico-químicas de um efluente de suinocultura, bem como quantificar o teor dos elementos nitrogênio amoniacal total (NH4+) e fósforo total (P total) no tecido vegetal das macrófitas e a biomassa de matéria seca (BMS) produzida em duas estações do ano (primavera e inverno). O experimento compreendeu delineamento em blocos casualizados, com 4 tratamentos (T) com 4 repetições, sendo eles: T1 = Testemunha (sem plantas); T2 = E. crassipes; T3 = P. stratiotes; e T4 = S. auriculata, submetidos a efluente de suinocultura diluídos em 50% de água. O cultivo ocorreu em tanques instalados ao ar livre durante 30 dias de cada estação. Foram analisados, nos efluentes, os parâmetros de condutividade elétrica (CE), oxigênio dissolvido (OD), pH, turbidez, NH4+ e fósforo disponível (P). Nas plantas, foram determinados os teores de NH4+, P total e BMS. Foi verificado que, na primavera, as plantas apresentaram maior produção de BMS e redução mais expressiva de CE, NH4+ e P, quando comparadas às plantas manejadas no efluente suíno no inverno. A E. crassipes foi mais eficiente na remoção de P (39%) e NH4+ total (80,2%), e na redução da CE (92%) do efluente suíno e na produção de biomassa seca, na primavera.

Determination of the potential of Pistia stratiotes L. in removing nickel from the environment by utilizing its rhizofiltration capacity

Abstract: The aim of this study is to explain the biological response and rhizofiltration capacity of Pistia stratiotes, which is an aquatic macrophyte, in alleviating heavy metal stress. In our study, Pistia species were exposed to Nickel (Ni) at different concentrations over seven days. The potential of the aquatic macrophytes in accumulating heavy metals in the water and in removing them from the environment was evaluated by determining the bio-concentration factors (BCF). Selected biological parameters in the leaves of Pistia stratiotes, including metal accumulation, photosynthetic pigment amount, lipid peroxidation activity, and growth rates were measured at the end of the seven-day period. The highest amount of Ni accumulation in P. stratiotes occurred at a concentration of 20 mg l-1. The amount of chlorophyll a (chl a) in P. stratiotes reached a value of 0.087 mg g-1 at the Ni concentration of 20 mg l-1. The relative growth rate (RGR) of P. stratiotes showed a negative correlation with the increases in the concentration levels of the metal. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels increased to 8.214 nmol/g at the concentration of 20 mg l-1, depending on Ni concentration and time. In our study, the use of P. stratiotes has been determined to be an appropriate plant as an effective Ni accumulator to be utilized with the purpose of rhizofiltration.

Seasonal performance of aquatic macrophytes in improving physicochemical parameters of swine wastewater

Abstract Swine wastewaters (SW) present organic load and nutrient content, what have caused degradation of water quality in many watercourses. Thus, the aquatic macrophytes represent an alternative for the depollution of these wastewaters, due to the high recovery power. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms, Pistia stratiotes L. and Salvinia auriculata Aubl. in improving the physicochemical targets of SW, as well as to quantify the total ammoniacal nitrogen (NH4+) and total phosphorus (total P) in the plant tissue of the macrophytes and the dry matter biomass (DMB) in two seasons of the year (spring and winter). The experiment was designed in a randomized block design, with 4 treatments (T) with 4 replicates: T1 = Control (without plants); T2 = E. crassipes; T3 = P. stratiotes; and T4 = S. auriculata, submitted to a SW diluted in 50% water. The monitoring is done in tanks during a period of 30 days of each season. Electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen (DO), turbidity, NH4+ and dissolved phosphorus (P) were analyzed in the SW. In the plants, the contents of NH4+, total P and DMB were determined. It was verified that, in the spring, the plants showed higher production of DMB and a more significant reduction of EC, NH4+ and P, when compared to the plants managed in the SW in the winter. E. crassipes was more efficient at removing P (39%) and total NH4+ (80.2%), and EC reducing (92%) of SW and DMB production in the spring. The results demonstrated that the NH4+ uptake by E. crassipes contributed to a considerable removal of NH4+ and P from SW.

Resumo Os efluentes da suinocultura apresentam elevado teor de carga orgânica e de nutrientes, o que dificulta o seu tratamento. Dessa forma, as macrófitas aquáticas representam uma alternativa para a despoluição desses efluentes, devido ao alto poder de absorção que essas plantas possuem. Neste contexto, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o desempenho das plantas Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms, Pistia stratiotes L. e Salvinia auriculata Aubl. na melhoria das características físico-químicas de um efluente de suinocultura, bem como quantificar o teor dos elementos nitrogênio amoniacal total (NH4+) e fósforo total (P total) no tecido vegetal das macrófitas e a biomassa de matéria seca (BMS) produzida em duas estações do ano (primavera e inverno). O experimento compreendeu delineamento em blocos casualizados, com 4 tratamentos (T) com 4 repetições, sendo eles: T1 = Testemunha (sem plantas); T2 = E. crassipes; T3 = P. stratiotes; e T4 = S. auriculata, submetidos a efluente de suinocultura diluídos em 50% de água. O cultivo ocorreu em tanques instalados ao ar livre durante 30 dias de cada estação. Foram analisados, nos efluentes, os parâmetros de condutividade elétrica (CE), oxigênio dissolvido (OD), pH, turbidez, NH4+ e fósforo disponível (P). Nas plantas, foram determinados os teores de NH4+, P total e BMS. Foi verificado que, na primavera, as plantas apresentaram maior produção de BMS e redução mais expressiva de CE, NH4+ e P, quando comparadas às plantas manejadas no efluente suíno no inverno. A E. crassipes foi mais eficiente na remoção de P (39%) e NH4+ total (80,2%), e na redução da CE (92%) do efluente suíno e na produção de biomassa seca, na primavera.

Assessment of Thrombolytic Activity of Five Bangladeshi Medicinal Plants: Potential Source for Thrombolytic Compounds.

Aim: The aim of our project work was to assess the thrombolytic activity of five common Bangladeshi plant extract in different solvent. Five plants are Geodorum densiflorum (Shankhamul), Pistia stratiotes (Topa Pana), Smilax zeylanica (Kumarilata), Pandanus foetidus (Keya) & Tabernaemontana coronaria (Tagar). Plants were collected and air dried separately for three weeks. They were ground into a coarse powder. Cold extractions were performed for all plants by using different solvents. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacy, University of Chittagong and University of Science and Technology Chittagong, November, 2013. Methodology: Fresh blood was collected from healthy individuals ten volunteers (n=10). Blood was allowed to form clots in a pre-weighed sterile micro-centrifuge eppendorf tubes. After clot serum was removed and blood clot was weighed then blood clot was allowed to lysis by streptokinase. After lysis fluid was removed and the remaining of blood clot was again weighed along with the tube. Percentage of blood clot lysis was calculated on the basis of the weight difference. Weight difference of tubes obtained by weighing before and after clot lyses of blood. % clot lysis=(Weight after clot lysis/ Weight of clot before lysis)×100. This method was repeated for all extracts. Result: Among the herbs studied Pandanus foetidus (C), Pandanus foetidus (PE), Smilax zeylanica (E) and Pistia stratiotes-Root (M) showed significant % of clot lysis 47.54% 41.49%, 43.35% and 35.85% respectively with reference to standard, streptokinase (70.24%). Conclusion: These extracts lyse the blood clots In-vitro, however, we need to know In-vivo clot dissolving property. Further systemic research on these plants and may be a potential source of thrombolytic agent in future.

Phytoremediation of Textile Waste Water Using Potential Wetland Plant: Eco Sustainable Approach.

One of the major problems encountered in the textile industry is the production of large volumes of highly coloured wastewater. The textile industries daily discharge million litres of untreated effluents in the form of wastewater into public drains that eventually empty into rivers. They cause serious health hazard. Textile wastewater also contains substantial pollution loads which increase the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Total Suspended solids (TSS), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and heavy metals. So pre-treatment is needed prior to discharge of these effluents. Among all method investigated presently, Phytoremediation by AMATS (Aquatic Macrophytes Treatment Systems) is a well established environmental protective technique. The most common aquatic Macrophytes being employed in wastewater treatment are water hyacinth, penny wort, water lettuce, water ferns and duck weeds, because they are cheaper to construct and a little skill is required to operate them. This review paper discusses comparative study and efficiency of plants and proposed mechanism of various plant contributed for remediation of textile waste water.

Influência da chuva após aplicação de imazamox sobre o controle de plantas daninhas aquáticas / Rain influence after imazamox spraying on aquatic weed control

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficiência do herbicida imazamox no controle de plantas aquáticas submetidas a diferentes intervalos de chuva simulada após a sua aplicação. O experimento foi conduzido em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições. O herbicida imazamox a 290,4 g ha-1 foi testado em três espécies de plantas aquáticas, Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms, Pistia stratiotes L. e Salvinia adnata Desv e submetido a oito diferentes períodos livre de chuva (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24 horas e sem chuva). A simulação da lâmina de chuva foi realizada sob um sistema estacionário de aplicação de água (20 mm). Observou-se um bom controle de Eichhornia crassipes, independentemente dos períodos sem chuva após a aplicação do herbicida. No entanto, para Pistia stratiotes foi necessário um período livre de chuva de pelo menos oito horas para obter-se um controle efetivo. Para Salvinia adnata, todos os períodos de chuva afetaram o controle proporcionado pelo herbicida.

This study aimed to evaluate the imazamox control efficiency on aquatic plants under different intervals of simulated rain after its spraying. The experiment was carried out in completely random design with four replications. The imazamox at 290.4 g ha-1 was tested on three aquatic weed species, Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms, Pistia stratiotes L. and Salvinia adnata Desv and, under eight different rain-free periods (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24 hours). Rainfall was simulated using a sprinkler irrigation system (20mm). There was a good control of Eichhornia crassipes, regardless of periods without rain after herbicide spraying. However, Pistia stratiotes took a rain-free period of at least eight hours to obtain an effective control. In Salvinia adnata, whole rain-free periods affected the control provided by the herbicide.

Remediation of nitrite contamination in ground and surface waters using aquatic macrophytes.

The study was carried out to determine the seasonal variation of nitrite levels in drinking and surface waters of urban, peri-urban and rural areas of Lucknow, during 2007-2008, and to evaluate the nitrite removal and accumulation potential of certain native aquatic macrophytes. Most of the drinking and surface water samples were collected from urbanized region of the city. All drinking water samples detected, showed higher nitrite level in winter, when compared with that in summer and rainy seasons. However, in drinking water samples nitrite level was below the permissible limit i.e. 3.29 mg l-1 NO2. The surface water showed more than 3 fold higher levels of nitrite over the permissible level i.e. 0.06 mg l-1, and the level was higher during rainy season than in summer and winter seasons. Eight macrophytes viz. Peltandra virginica, Utricularia vulgaris, Eichhornia crassipes, Trapa natans, Mimulus glabratus, Marsilea quadrifolia, Pistia stratiotes and Polygonum persicaria were studied for phytoremediation potential of nitrite from the water under simulated laboratory conditions. The gradual diminution in the level of nitrite in the water and simultaneously it’s increase in the plant tissues was recorded at 5th, 10th and 15th d after plant culture. All the plants selected, removed nitrite from water but Polygonum persicaria, Mimulus glabratus, Trapa natans and Pistia stratiotes were found more efficient and removed nitrite upto 60.91, 58.09, 60.97 and 72.28%, respectively. Observations revealed that Pistia stratiotes can be used for the effective removal of nitrite from the contaminated water.

Effect of nickel-stresses on uptake, pigments and antioxidative responses of water lettuce, Pistia stratiotes L.

Water lettuce plants were exposed to various concentrations (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 ppm) of nickel as nickel sulphate in nutrient medium. The effect of graded nickel (Ni+2) concentrations on visible symptoms of toxicity, pigments (chlorophyll a, b and total) and antioxidative attributes were evaluated. Plants exposed to high nickel (1.0 and 10.0 ppm) showed visible toxicity symptoms, such as wilting, chlorosis in young leaves, browning of root tips and broken off roots, observed at 6 days after treatment. Nickel was accumulated more in root (863.3 3g g-1 dry weight) than leaves (116.2 3g g-1 dry weight) at 6 days of treatment. Nickel exposure decreased chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll contents. Relative water content decreased at high nickel (1.0 and 10.0 ppm). Antioxidants, such as proline content and peroxidase activity increased with increase in nickel concentrations, whereas, other carotenoids and protein contents at 1.0 ppm and activity of catalase at 10 ppm of nickel were decreased. The low level of nickel stimulates photosynthetic pigments and antioxidative attributes. The study may be helpful in phytoremedial strategies and biological indication of nickel toxicity in aquatic plants.

Influence of chromium salts on increased lipid peroxidation and differential pattern in antioxidant metabolism in Pistia stratiotes L

In this work, the changing effect of different concentrations (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10mM) of hexavalent and trivalent chromium on different biochemical parameters along with antioxidant enzymes was investigated on water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes L.) in order to know the possible involvement of this metal in oxidative injury, besides the activities of antioxidant enzymes leading to biochemical and oxidative aberration induced by elevated concentrations. Both in roots and shoots, Cr produced a significant increase in enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants, except in catalase (CAT) activity where a strong accumulation of hydrogen peroxide was indicated, suggesting an imposition of oxidative stress. The observation showed an uptake of chromium by P. stratiotes L. as well as increase in activity of antioxidants, as the concentrations and their duration of treatment increased. The activity of antioxidative enzymes determined the steady-state levels of ROS in the cell. The augmentation of antioxidative defense plays a key role in regulating the oxidative stress. This pointed to the possibility in induction of oxidative stress, with the increasing lipid peroxidation, followed by a differential pattern in antioxidant metabolisms by chromium ions in P. stratiotes L.

Changes in antioxidant enzyme activities in Eichhornia crassipes (Pontederiaceae) and Pistia stratiotes (Araceae) under heavy metal stress

Whole plants of Eichhornia crassipes and Pistia stratiotes were exposed to various concentrations (0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0 and 5.0 mM) of 8 heavy metals (Ag, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) hydroponically for 21 days. Spectrometric assays for the total activity of catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase in the leaves were studied. At the end of the experimental period, data referred to metal treated plants were compared to data of untreated ones (control). Heavy metals increased the activity of catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in both species and there was differential inducement among metals. Overall, Zn had the least inducement of antioxidant enzymes in both species while Hg had the highest inducement. The increase in antioxidant enzymes in relation to the control plants was more in E. crassipes than P. stratiotes. The results showed that E. crassipes tolerated higher metal concentrations in a greater number of metals than P. stratiotes. Rev. Biol. Trop. 55 (3-4): 815-823. Epub 2007 December, 28.

Plantas completas de Eichhornia crassipes y Pistia stratiotes fueron expuestas a varias concentraciones (0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0 and 5.0 mM) de metales pesados (Ag, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) utilizando hidroponía, por 21 días. Se realizaron análisis espectrométricos en las hojas para determinar la actividad total de la catalasa, peroxidasa y dismutasa superóxida. Al final del periodo experimental, se comparó con plantas no tratadas (control). Los metales pesados incrementan la actividad de la catalasa, peroxidasa y la dismutasa superóxida para ambas especies y hay diferencias entre los metales. El Zn produce el menor estímulo para enzimas antioxidantes en ambas especies; Hg produce el mayor estímulo. El incremento de las enzimas antioxidantes en relación con las plantas control fue mayor en E. crassipes que P. stratiotes. E. crassipes tolera altas concentraciones de metal en un gran número de ellos, mientras que la tolerancia en P. stratiotes es menor.