Use Of Aquatic Plants Research Articles

Artificial Cultivation of Aquatic Plants Promotes Nitrogen Transformation and the Abundance of Key Functional Genes in Agricultural Drainage Ditch Sediments in the Yellow River Irrigation Area in China

Excess nitrogen in agricultural drainage poses a serious threat to the water quality safety of the Yellow River basin. Utilizing aquatic plants to modify the rhizosphere microbial community structure and facilitate nitrogen transformation is a crucial strategy for mitigating regional water eutrophication. We here compare key processes of nitrogen transformation occurring in the rhizosphere of sediments of a ditch artificially planted with a mix of species (Phragmites australis, Typha orientalis, Nymphaea tetragon) with the rhizosphere of a ditch occupied by naturally occurring aquatic vegetation, dominated either by P. australis or T. orientalis. Our results revealed a species effect, with an increased denitrification rate (DR) and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium rate (DNRAR) in the cultivated ditch for P. australis, compared to the naturally occurring T. orientalis vegetation. The nitrogen fixation rate (NFR) increased in the artificial setting with T. orientalis in comparison to natural P. australis vegetation. The richness of the bacterial community and the relative abundances of Bacteroidota, Firmicutes, and Geobacter were significantly greater in the rhizosphere of the artificially cultivated ditch due a greater availability in nitrogen and organic carbon. In the artificially cultivated ditch, the dominant functional genes affecting DRNARs in the rhizosphere sediments of P. australis were nrfC and nrfA, whereas DRs were driven mainly by norB and napA, which were influenced by the nitrogen and carbon levels. The dominant functional genes affecting NFRs in the rhizosphere sediments of T. orientalis were nifD, nifK, and nifH. Our results provide a scientific basis for the use of aquatic plants for mitigating excess nitrogen levels in agricultural drainage.

Prospects for the use of aquatic plants in poultry feed

The article presents the data on the use of higher aquatic vegetation (HAV), such as naiads, as an alternative source of plant proteins in poultry feeding. The use of non-traditional raw materials contributes to the development of immunity in poultry without the need for antibiotics, which is relevant in the context of combating antibiotic resistance. The developed feed composition can not only significantly improve the quality of poultry feed, but also provide consumers with high quality and safe products. The results of the research can be promising for poultry feeding practice and contribute to the sustainable development of poultry farming.

Aquatic plants as whole-cell biocatalysts for preparing optically active β-hydroxy esters

We investigated the asymmetric reduction of β-keto esters using aquatic plants as whole-cell biocatalysts under darkness and illumination by fluorescent light. The (S)- β-hydroxy esters were obtained with high enantiomeric excess (ee) values. Regardless of the light conditions, the amount of (R)- β-hydroxy ester produced did not change significantly as the substrate concentration increased, whereas the yield of (S)- β-hydroxy ester increased substantially. Moreover, increasing the quantity of plants resulted in a significant increase in the production of (S)- β-hydroxy ester and a slight increase in the production of (R)- β-hydroxy ester, reducing the ee value. The reaction proceeded more efficiently for substrates bearing bulkier ester moieties, of which the tert-butyl ester gave the best results. Ultimately, we concluded that aquatic plants can be used as whole-cell biocatalysts for preparing optically active β-hydroxy esters. This result represents a new use of aquatic plants and contributes to the achievement of carbon neutrality.

Screening of Atrazine Tolerant Aquatic Plant and Roles of Plant Growth Regulators on Plant Growth and Atrazine Tolerance

The extensive use of atrazine to control weeds in agricultural areas has contaminated atrazine in surface water and groundwater. Atrazine contamination in water resources causes human health concerns. Thus, this study investigated the possible use of aquatic plants for removing atrazine from contaminated water. The experiment was performed under plant nursery conditions and divided into two parts: (1) the atrazine-tolerant plants were screened, and (2) the most atrazine-tolerant plant was used for atrazine phytoremediation stimulated by plant growth regulators. The results showed that atrazine was toxic to all aquatic plants, as the dry weight of the plants was significantly decreased when exposed to 20 mg/L of atrazine (P<0.05). Based on five aquatic plants grown under 2.5–20 mg/L atrazine-contaminated water, <i>Azolla microphylla</i> Kaulf. was the most tolerant aquatic plant and was more suitable for use in atrazine phytoremediation than the other aquatic plants (<i>Ceratophyllum demersum</i> L., <i>Eichhornia crassipes</i> (Mart.) Solms, <i>Hydrilla verticillata</i> (L. f.) Royle, and <i>Salvinia cucullata</i> Roxb. ex Bory). The total chlorophyll, carotenoid, and proline contents in the biomass of <i>A. microphylla</i> cultured in 2.5–20 mg/L of atrazine did not significantly differ between the atrazine concentrations (P>0.05). Meanwhile, the proline contents in the other four aquatic plants increased with increasing atrazine concentrations, and the chlorophyll content significantly decreased with an increase in the atrazine concentration. However, <i>A. microphylla</i> could not remove atrazine from contaminated water, and the application of plant growth regulators (6-benzyladenine, gibberellic acid, indole-3-butyric acid, and salicylic acid) did not improve the atrazine removal from water. Atrazine in the water was around 21–26 mg/L on day five of <i>A. microphylla</i> cultivation compared to the initial concentration (25 mg/L). Using a plant growth regulator was ineffective for stimulating growth and atrazine removal by <i>A. microphylla</i>. Future research should explore other potential mechanisms for enhancing atrazine removal by <i>A. microphylla</i>.

Present scenario and prospects of the use of aquatic plants in aquaculture: a review

Present scenario and prospects of the use of aquatic plants in aquaculture: a review

Hematological parameters of sheep and goats fed diets containing various amounts of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes).

A major global barrier to increased animal output is nutrition. The use of aquatic plants, which were previously considered to be waste and needed a lot of labor to eliminate, has recently come to light due to the lack of feed during the dry season in the majority of tropical regions of Africa. The objectives of this study were therefore to see how different dietary Eichhornia crassipise inclusion rates affect the hematological indicators of Ethiopian Doyogena sheep and Woyto-Guji goats. Blood samples were taken from the jugular veins of 12 Doyogena sheep and 12 Woyto-Guji goats in a 2 × 4 randomized crossover design with two animal species, four diets, and four random periods (15 - day adaption period followed by a 7- day experimental diet in each period). The dietary inclusion rates E. crassipise were 0, 25, 50, and 75% that was used as a replacement for commercial concentrate mix diet in the treatment groups. The data was analyzed using the SAS software programme PROC GLM, and Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated between hematological markers. The hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell count (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCHC) results revealed substantial, RDW-SD, and WBC differences between animal species (P < 0.001). Sheep had greater WBC, Hb, RBC, PCV, RDW-SD, and RDW-CV levels, while goats had higher MCH and MCHC values (P < 0.001). For the analyzed hematological measures, the Pearson's correlation coefficient ranged from low to strong in terms of positive and negative associations (P < 0.05). Since all hematological indicators were closer to those of clinically healthy native Ethiopian sheep and goat breeds, feeding water hyacinth to sheep and goats up to a 75% inclusion level in diets without producing sickness may provide a remedy for adverse feed shortages.

Synthesis and characterization of biocompatible silver nanoparticles with increased anti-Diabetic and anti-Microbial effectiveness via the mediation of aquatic plant Hygrophila corymbosa

Using extracts from plants and seaweed to make metal nanoparticles is an interesting topic that has some advantages over more traditional physicochemical methods. Recent developments in nanoscience and nanobiotechnology have made it possible for these breakthroughs. Nevertheless, the production of nanoparticles via the use of aquatic plants and the applications of these particles are not very well recognized. This article described an ecologically friendly method of producing AgNPs by employing the aquatic plant Hygrophila corymbosa as the starting material. The examination of the zeta potential at −31.4 mV reveals that the AgNPs that were synthesized were stable for an extended period of time. The pictures produced by the HR-TEM indicated the presence of polydispersed, spherical-shaped nanoparticles with a size of less than 20 nm and distinct lattice fringes. The unmixed state of the AgNPs is represented by the peak in the EDX spectroscopy that was found at roughly 3 keV. XRD studies revealed that the AgNPs were found to be fcc in nature with miller indices of (111), (200), (220), and (311), and the average particle size was found to be 43 nm. The compounds having functional groups secondary amine, alkane, primary amide, and aldehyde in the plants in charge of the reduction of AgNO3 into AgNPs were listed using FT-IR analysis. Gram-positive bacteria B. subtilis, S. aureus, S. mutans, E. faecalis, andL. salivarius, and gram-negative bacteria P. mirabilis, P. vulgaris, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, andE. coli, as well as the fungal strains Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus, and Aspergillus niger, were used to test the anti-microbial activity of the AgNPs produced. The outcome demonstrates the potential anti-microbial activity of the produced AgNPs. The anti-diabetic effect of the produced AgNPs was determined using alpha-amylase inhibition test, and they possess excellent efficacy (IC50 value of 47.72) compared with the standard used. These findings demonstrated that AgNPs synthesized using aquatic plants are highly stable and have a higher potential for biological activities.

Modern Technologies Application in Water Bioresources and Aquaculture

The production and use areas of aquatic plants are investigated in the article. In recent times, the development of fishing and the all-round use of aquatic plants (as food, the purchase of environmentally oil, as fertilizer) is one of the main issues of our day. Macroalgae are the basis of the cultivated sea products. Mainly, brown algae — laminaria, fucus, red algae — Kappaphycus alvarezii and Eucheuma are widely used for both food and alginate production. Spirulina algae, a representative of blue-green algae living in freshwater basins is one of the most cultivated and widely used algae. The fact that its composition is rich in proteins and vitamins creates the basis for the widespread use of algae. Algae thallome contains 60% protein, amino acids, oils, mineral salts, and fatty acids, which help to strengthen the immune system and eliminate anemia. In addition, biological substances obtained from algae active substances are easily absorbed by the body, it is one of the important substances for the regeneration of liver cells.

Ecological Evaluation of Sponge City Landscape Design Based on Aquatic Plants Application

Urbanization increases the impervious surface of land and disrupts the hydrological cycle of urban water resources. Optimum landscape design based on climatic and geographical factors can reduce the destructive effects of urban development on surface and subsurface flows. The construction of a sponge city is an essential step towards achieving this structure. Aquatic plants are the most important component of the ecological regeneration of urban landscapes. The land cover changes caused by aquatic plants reduce the speed of water and increase the penetration of runoff into the porous environment. In addition, not only can the use of aquatic plants as the main component of water saving for ecological restoration control water erosion, but it can also have a positive effect on landscape architecture. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a multi-objective urban landscape design model based on the use of aquatic plants. Moreover, the limitations of improving the urban ecosystem with aquatic plants were analyzed based on the theory of ecological restoration in a sponge city. The required area for the cultivation of these plants was calculated according to the flood return periods and the two objective functions of land slope and runoff rate. The results show that surface runoff decreased by 15% and that rainfall and flood decreased by 21% for a 50-year return period.

Ethnobotanical approach with fishermen about the use of aquatic plants found in the Pericumã river and in flooded areas in the Baixada Maranhense Environmental Protection Area (APA da Baixada Maranhense)

Ethnobotanical approach with fishermen about the use of aquatic plants found in the Pericumã river and in flooded areas in the Baixada Maranhense Environmental Protection Area (APA da Baixada Maranhense)

Investigation of the Effectiveness of Aquatic Plants in Filtering Contaminated Water

Population increase and rapid urbanization are two major factors for the scarcity of clean water in 21st century societies across the world. Modern sewage water treatment plants and filtration systems require a lot of economic and land resources which many “lesser developed countries” do not have. As a result, large amounts of raw sewage water are released into the environment, and millions of people do not have access to clean water. To fulfill such water demand, the use of aquatic plants, also known as macrophytes, have been used in a constructed wetland which allows for the filtration of contaminated water using natural processes involving wetland vegetation, soils, and their associated microbial assemblages. In the present study, Typha (cattail) and Pontederia crassipes (water hyacinth) have been tested in a simulated constructed wetland to study their effect on pollutants removal efficiency (nitrates, ammonium, pH, and Dissolved oxygen). Results show that both the Typha and Pontederia crassipes were effective in filtering out the aforementioned contaminants and improving water quality through the process of phytoaccumulation. However, there was no clear correlation between dissolved oxygen levels and time in contact with the macrophyte roots possibly due to environmental factors. A better quantitative understanding of the phytoaccumulation process, such as the limits and plateau points of contaminant uptake is needed to optimize the usage and application of Typha and Pontederia crassipes in practical constructed wetlands.

Use of aquatic plants in removing pollutants and treating the wastewater: A review

This study illustrates the importance of aquatic plants in removing pollutants and treating wastewater. Aquatic plants provide many benefits to humans, with many new applications still to be identified. However, introducing aquatic plant species that become problematic under specific conditions is putting both marine and freshwater environments at risk right now. These plant species are frequently imported from other regions for medicinal or horticultural purposes, but they eventually escape domestication and establish natural populations. Other pollutants, such as hydrocarbons and other hazardous and carcinogenic substances, can be removed from water using these aquatic plants. The application of growth-promoting bacteria that stimulate the growth of rhizosphere plants and the overgrown plants could be another modification that can have the maximum treating effect. Aquatic plants have many applications in wastewater treatment due to their much lower cost and higher efficiency. Numerous studies have proved Aquatic plants to be sinks for wastewater treatment, and they are also used in the treatment process and to reduce or limit pollutant wastewater. The treated wastewater was of acceptable quality, according to the international effluent standards for irrigation.

Evaluation of Cadmium Bioaccumulation-Related Physiological Effects in Salvinia biloba: An Insight towards Its Use as Pollutant Bioindicator in Water Reservoirs

Free-living macrophytes play an important role in the health of aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, the use of aquatic plants as metal biomonitors may be a suitable tool for the management of freshwater reservoirs. Hence, in this study, we assessed the effects of cadmium (Cd) in Salvinia biloba specimens collected from the Middle Paraná River during a 10-day experiment employing artificially contaminated water (100 μM Cd). S. biloba demonstrated a great ability for Cd bioaccumulation in both the root-like modified fronds (named “roots”) and the aerial leaf-like fronds (named “leaves”) of the plants. Additionally, Cd toxicity was determined by the quantification of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls a and b, and carotenoids), flavonoids, and soluble carbohydrate contents in S. biloba over time (1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 days). In general, deterioration was more pronounced in leaves than in roots, suggesting a greater implication of the former in long-term Cd sequestration in S. biloba. Deleterious effects in the appraised parameters were well correlated with the total amount of Cd accumulated in the leaves, and with the qualitative changes observed in the plants’ phenotype during the 10-day metal exposure assay. The flavonoids and carotenoids in leaves were highly affected by low Cd levels followed by root carbohydrates. In contrast, chlorophylls and root flavonoids were the least impacted physiological parameters. Therefore, our results demonstrate that S. biloba displays dissimilar organ-linked physiological responses to counteract Cd phytotoxicity and that these responses are also time-dependent. Though further research is needed, our work suggests that easy-handled physiological data obtained from autochthonous free-floating S. biloba specimens may be used as a valuable tool for metal-polluted water biomonitoring.

Atomic Spectroscopy Technique Employed to Detect the Heavy Metals from Iraqi Waterbodies Using Natural Bio-Filter (Eichhornia crassipes): Thera Dejla as a Case Study

Water pollution has become one of the most serious intractable issues of this era. The use of aquatic plants is considered as one of the suitable routes to remove pollutants from industrial wastewater, to protect the environment and restore resources for reuse, especially water hyacinth plant. Multi studies have shown that the water hyacinth plant has an ability to recover heavy metals from different water bodies. This paper aims to study the efficiency of the different parts of water hyacinth plant to remove many ions of heavy metals, namely chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) from polluted water bodies in Iraq, Thera Dejla channel in the northwest of Baghdad as a case study. The results obtained showed the ability of water hyacinth plant roots to adsorb lead, manganese and zinc metals with concentrations of 3.668, 3.1297 ppm and 1.1057 ppm, respectively and the rafts to adsorb 10.1545 ppm of iron while cobalt and chromium were adsorbed by stem with 0.2652 and 0.0852 ppm respectively. However, the leafs of water hyacinth were the lowest ability to adsorb the heavy metals than other parts. On the other hand, the concentrations of these heavy metals were close to zero in the water near this plant. Therefore, this plant can be used as a cheap and low-cost bio-filter to purify polluted water in rivers, lakes and ponds despite the harmful effects caused by its excessive spread. How to Cite this Article Pubmed Style Ali GAA, Abbas MN. Spectroscopy Technique Employed to Detect the Heavy Metals from Iraqi Waterbodies Using Natural Bio-Filter (Eichhornia crassipes): Thera Dejla as a Case Study. SRP. 2020; 11(9): 264-271. doi:10.31838/srp.2020.9.43 Web Style Ali GAA, Abbas MN. Spectroscopy Technique Employed to Detect the Heavy Metals from Iraqi Waterbodies Using Natural Bio-Filter (Eichhornia crassipes): Thera Dejla as a Case Study. http://www.sysrevpharm.org/?mno=7012 [Access: March 30, 2021]. doi:10.31838/srp.2020.9.43 AMA (American Medical Association) Style Ali GAA, Abbas MN. Spectroscopy Technique Employed to Detect the Heavy Metals from Iraqi Waterbodies Using Natural Bio-Filter (Eichhornia crassipes): Thera Dejla as a Case Study. SRP. 2020; 11(9): 264-271. doi:10.31838/srp.2020.9.43 Vancouver/ICMJE Style Ali GAA, Abbas MN. Spectroscopy Technique Employed to Detect the Heavy Metals from Iraqi Waterbodies Using Natural Bio-Filter (Eichhornia crassipes): Thera Dejla as a Case Study. SRP. (2020), [cited March 30, 2021]; 11(9): 264-271. doi:10.31838/srp.2020.9.43 Harvard Style Ali, G. A. A. & Abbas, . M. N. (2020) Spectroscopy Technique Employed to Detect the Heavy Metals from Iraqi Waterbodies Using Natural Bio-Filter (Eichhornia crassipes): Thera Dejla as a Case Study. SRP, 11 (9), 264-271. doi:10.31838/srp.2020.9.43 Turabian Style Ali, Ghalib Adrees Atiya, and Mohammed Nsaif Abbas. 2020. Spectroscopy Technique Employed to Detect the Heavy Metals from Iraqi Waterbodies Using Natural Bio-Filter (Eichhornia crassipes): Thera Dejla as a Case Reviews in Pharmacy, 11 (9), 264-271. doi:10.31838/srp.2020.9.43 Chicago Style Ali, Ghalib Adrees Atiya, and Mohammed Nsaif Abbas. Atomic Spectroscopy Technique Employed to Detect the Heavy Metals from Iraqi Waterbodies Using Natural Bio-Filter (Eichhornia crassipes): Thera Dejla as a Case Study. Systematic Reviews in Pharmacy 11 (2020), 264-271. doi:10.31838/srp.2020.9.43 MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style Ali, Ghalib Adrees Atiya, and Mohammed Nsaif Abbas. Atomic Spectroscopy Technique Employed to Detect the Heavy Metals from Iraqi Waterbodies Using Natural Bio-Filter (Eichhornia crassipes): Thera Dejla as a Case Study. Systematic Reviews in Pharmacy 11.9 (2020), 264-271. Print. doi:10.31838/srp.2020.9.43 APA (American Psychological Association) Style Ali, G. A. A. & Abbas, . M. N. (2020) Spectroscopy Technique Employed to Detect the Heavy Metals from Iraqi Waterbodies Using Natural Bio-Filter (Eichhornia crassipes): Thera Dejla as a Case Reviews in Pharmacy, 11 (9), 264-271. doi:10.31838/srp.2020.9.43

Growth performance of goats fed diets containing varying levels of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)

Abstract Owing to the scarcity of feed during the dry season in most tropical regions of Africa, attention has been shifted to the use of aquatic plants which were regarded as waste and take a lot of effort to eradicate. This study therefore aimed to explore the potential of water hyacinth as alternative feed source for ruminants. Twenty-four (24) West African Dwarf (WAD) goats with average body mass of 6.5 ± 0.22 kg were used in a 84-day feeding trial to determine the influence of whole Water Hyacinth (WH; Eichhornia crassipes) plant as alternative livestock feed resource. The goats were divided into four (4) groups of six (6) animals per group. Each group was randomly allotted to the four experimental diets containing 0 %, 5 %, 10 % and 15 % of WH, respectively, in a Completely Randomised Design. Results showed that supplemented E. crassipes plant influenced (p &lt; 0.05) the growth performance characteristics of West African dwarf (WAD) goats. Five (5 %) percent inclusion of WH gave the highest (p &lt; 0.05) weight gain, metabolic weight and dry matter intake whereas 10 % inclusion of WH gave similar (p &gt; 0.05) weight gain as the control. In addition, 5 % percent inclusion of WH reduced (p &lt; 0.05) the cost of production with high returns. On the other hand, with 10 % inclusion we observed the highest (p &lt; 0.05) packed cell volume, red blood cell count and haemoglobin concentration. The 15 % WH inclusion resulted in an elevated (p &lt; 0.05) serum albumin and cost per kilogram weight gain. It can be concluded that feeding WAD goats with WH up to 10 % in their diets had favourable effects on growth performance, health and possibly immune response as well as profitability.

Флора и ее анализ. Гидрофильные растения разнотипных водоемов Самаркандской области (Узбекистан)

Aquatic and coastal aquatic plants are one of the most important components of aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, at present, much attention is paid to the issues of rational use and development of the country's inland water bodies. Together with phytoplankton, this group of plants participates in the trophic cycle of biocenosis, providing various stages of the links of the food chain with appropriate products. For example, the plants of reservoirs serve as food for representatives of different taxonomic groups of animals, mollusks, crustaceans, insects, fish, birds and mammals. With moderate overgrowing of water bodies, favorable conditions are formed for the development of the phytophilous fauna of invertebrates. The flora of higher aquatic and coastal plants of the Samarkand region has not yet been fully studied. The species composition was not studied, taxonomic and floristic analysis was not carried out. In addition, it is very rare to find detailed information about the use of aquatic plants in the national economy, information about useful species and rare species common in this territory. The article presents the results of research on the study of aquatic and coastal plants of reservoirs of the Samarkand region. It was revealed that 72 species of aquatic and coastal plants, which belong to 51 genera, 34 families and 5 classes, grow in reservoirs of various types on the territory of the Samarkand region. Representatives of the families Potamogetonaceae, Poaceae, Cyperaceae and Polygonaceae make up 43% of the total number of plants of this group growing in the studied region. In terms of life forms, about 12.5% (9 species) are annuals, and 77.8% (56 species) are perennials. It was found that 7 species of aquatic mosses grow in the studied water bodies.

Performance of Aquatic Plant Species for Phytoremediation of Heavy Metals Contaminated Water

Heavy metals and organic pollutants are ubiquitous environmental pollutants affecting the quality of soil, water and air. Over the past 5 decades, many strategies have been developed for the remediation of polluted water. Use of aquatic plants to extract, sequester and/or detoxify pollutants and is a new and powerful technique for environmental clean up. Plants are ideal agents for soil and water remediation because of their unique genetic, biochemical and physiological properties. The aim of this work is to evaluate the potential of free floating duck weed Spirodela polyrhiza to remove heavy metals from waste water and the biochemical effect of heavy metals on Spirodela polyrhiza. Approximately 93% of total heavy metal induced – toxicity appears resulting in the reduced activities of nitrate reductase, total chlorophyll and protein content of the plant. The results recommended the use of Spirodela polyrhiza to ameliorate the wastewater contaminated with heavy metals.

The alternatives use of aquatic plants in geopark within approach landscape ecology

In the developed countries which attach importance to the health of their citizens, people are able benefit from the remedial properties of pristine and beautiful natural environments, favorable climate, sunlight, proper and functioning infra- and superstructures, efficient socio-cultural environmental opportunities, and hot mineral waters, in addition to other kinds of supportive care they receive under physician control. This study was conducted to research the aquatic plants that could be grown around the Kursunlu thermal springs located in the Salihli district of Manisa province and to determine the best living environmental conditions for these plants so that the plant species that would have the highest quality of life in the area could be identified. The Kursunlu thermal springs have different properties and qualities in terms of aquatic plants thanks to the geothermal energy present in and around them. In this context, an attempt was made to examine the vegetation of these locations, and Kursunlu thermal springs were selected as the case area for the study. The aim of the study was to improve the quality of life in the thermal springs and to popularize the use of aquatic plants. Taking into consideration the geothermal energy present in and around the study area, the aquatic plants that would be most suitable to include for landscape projects in the area were determined. These plants were then evaluated in terms of their visual properties, and expert opinions were taken regarding their use in landscape projects. This also presented an opportunity into research and gain insight to the level of influence of the natural properties of the area over the plants.

Application of Floating Aquatic Plants in Phytoremediation of Heavy Metals Polluted Water: A Review

Heavy-metal (HM) pollution is considered a leading source of environmental contamination. Heavy-metal pollution in ground water poses a serious threat to human health and the aquatic ecosystem. Conventional treatment technologies to remove the pollutants from wastewater are usually costly, time-consuming, environmentally destructive, and mostly inefficient. Phytoremediation is a cost-effective green emerging technology with long-lasting applicability. The selection of plant species is the most significant aspect for successful phytoremediation. Aquatic plants hold steep efficiency for the removal of organic and inorganic pollutants. Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) and Duck weed (Lemna minor) along with some other aquatic plants are prominent metal accumulator plants for the remediation of heavy-metal polluted water. The phytoremediation potential of the aquatic plant can be further enhanced by the application of innovative approaches in phytoremediation. A summarizing review regarding the use of aquatic plants in phytoremediation is gathered in order to present the broad applicability of phytoremediation.

Application of macrophytes to compare the assessment of the ecological status of the Pilica River in years 2012 - 2015

Directive 2000/60/EC commonly called the Water Framework Directive defined as a new way of assessing the state of surface water based on two types of water bodies: natural and artificial or heavily modified water body. The assessment is made by comparing surface water status with the reference state, that is, a state close to completely natural one, based on biological, physicochemical and hydromorphological elements. The ecological state of surface water, together with the surface water chemical status is used to determine the general surface water status. The ecological state of surface water is responsible for the quality of the structure and the functioning of the aquatic ecosystem, while the chemical state is responsible for appearance in water of particularly harmful substances for the aquatic environment. The present paper compares the ecological status of the Pilica river waters in 2012 – 2015 with the use of aquatic plants as ecological quality indicators according to the requirements of the Water Framework Directive. Research was conducted in three different sections of the Pilica river, which were within the boundaries of separate but adjacent surface water body. The field research were carried out using a Polish research method called The Macrophyte Method for River Assessment (MMRA). The method is based on quantitative and qualitative evaluation of species compositions of macrophytes within a designated river section. MMRA allows the evaluation of the macrofit reaction (bioindicators of ecological quality) mainly on the degradation associated with trophic impurities. This method has been developed and successfully used to assess ecological status of rivers throughout the country. In this article, special emphasis was placed on comparative analysis of results obtained from field measurements in the years 2012 – 2015, supported by theoretical knowledge on the assessment of ecological quality of surface water. The results of the evaluation showed improvement of the ecological status of the Pilica river on two research sections: Przyłęk and Kuźnica Wąsowska, and a slight decrease on quality on the Szczekociny research section.