Ecotoxic effects of Hexavalent Chromium on biochemical parameters of Lemna minor and its bioaccumulation by Lemna minor

Abstract

Untreated effluents when discharged into the environment possess potential health hazards to almost all forms of life. Many plants are being used to study the toxic effects of heavy metal pollution on plants. However, aquatic plants like Lemna minor are widely used. Their wide distribution, small size, ease of culture and rapid reproduction rates are the attributes that have led to their use as a cost-effective test model. In the present study batch experiments were conducted to study the effects of Cr (VI) and Cr (III) on biochemical content of Lemna minor. Ecotoxic effect of Cr (VI) and Cr (III) on growth, amount of total chlorophyll, total soluble starch, total free sugar, total soluble proteins and total free amino acids was studied in the present research. It was found that Cr (III) at all the concentrations did not affect any of the study parameters significantly. However, Cr (VI) at and beyond 10 mg/l significantly affected the studied parameters. Bioaccumulation of Cr (VI) and Cr (III) by Lemna minor was also investigated. Substantial Cr (VI) accumulation was detected in Lemna minor while it accumulates very low amounts of Cr (III). Aquatic plant-like Lemna bioaccumulate high amounts of Cr (VI) thus it may help in the treatment of polluted water bodies.