Effects of heavy metals on some proximate composition of Eichhornia crassipes

Effects of 8 heavy metals (Ag, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) on the total chlorophyll, foliar proline, and protein and starch contents of Eichhornia crassipes was investigated. Plantlets were grown in quarter-strength Hoagland's solution and supplemented with 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0 and 5.0 mM of each of the metals for 3 weeks. There was a significant reduction (p≤0.05) in total chlorophyll, protein and starch contents, while foliar proline increased significantly. These effects were however dependent on the nature of the metal, its concentration and duration of exposure. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management Vol. 10(1) 2006: 83-8

Toxicity assessment of treated effluents from a textile industry in Lagos, Nigeria

Water pollution caused by industrial effluent discharges has become a worrisome phenomenon due to its impact on environmental health and safety. Textile industries contribute immensely to surface water deterioration and are categorized among the most polluting in all industrial sectors. For this reason, the toxicity of treated textile effluent was assessed in Celossia argentea by exposing them to effluent-polluted surface water from Ibeshe River. In the present study, parameters investigated includes, growth, photosynthetic pigment content, lipid peroxidation, and metal accumulation. The results showed that treated textile effluent from Nichemtex Company, affected the growth, dry biomass, root development and photosynthetic pigment content of C. argentea. The treated effluent caused 41% growth inhibition while the total chlorophyll decreased by 59.87% in relation to the control plants. Furthermore, it also elevated the levels of lipid peroxidation and heavy metals in the plant. It was therefore implicated that treated textile effluent entering Ibeshe River could cause toxic effects on organisms. It was emphasized that using the water for irrigation and as portable water in its present state is unsafe.Key words: Textile effluent, toxicity, surface waters, growth inhibition, Celosia argentea

The effect of used engine oil on carbohydrate, mineral content and nitrate reductase activity of leafy vegetable (<i>Amaranthus hybridus</i> L.)

The effects of used engine oil on carbohydrate, mineral elements and nitrate reductase activity of Amaranthus hybridus were investigated. Seedlings were grown for 8 weeks in soil containing 0-5 % v/w usedengine oil. There was a significant (p=0.05) low level of mineral elements in plants grown in oil treated soils. The carbohydrate content of the control plants was significantly higher than the values observed for plants grown in oil treated soils. The control plants had a mean value of 48.3 ± 0.5 ìg g-1 dry wt, while 42.0 ± 1.0 and 30.9 ± 0.4 ìg g-1 dry wt were observed for plants treated with 1 and 5 % oil. There was significant inhibitory effect on nitrate reductase activity in plants that were exposed to engine oil. Therefore, the potential risk of used engine oil as potent environmental pollutant has been established from the results of this stud

Effects of heavy metals on some proximate composition of <i>Eichhornia crassipes</i>

Effects of 8 heavy metals (Ag, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) on the total chlorophyll, foliar proline, and protein and starch contents of Eichhornia crassipes was investigated. Plantlets were grown in quarter-strength Hoagland's solution and supplemented with 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0 and 5.0 mM of each of the metals for 3 weeks. There was a significant reduction (p&#8804;0.05) in total chlorophyll, protein and starch contents, while foliar proline increased significantly. These effects were however dependent on the nature of the metal, its concentration and duration of exposure. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management Vol. 10(1) 2006: 83-8