HYDROPHYTES AS BIOINDICATIORS OF TRACE METAL POLLUTION

摘要

This study reports the concentrations of heavy metals (Zn, Ni, Co, Cu, Cd & Mn) analysed in the aquatic plants such as Valisnaria sp. and Potamogeton sp. in the river Palar near industrial areas of Vellore Dt., Tamil Nadu. Analysis of heavy metals in water, sediment and plant samples indicated that all sampling sites in the study area are generally more or less polluted when compared to unpolluted site (control).These two species exhibited more biomass and productivity while grow ing at polluted sites. Highly significant positive correlation was obtained between the concentrations of heavy metals in the aquatic weed and water. This was substantiated by the uptake and utilization from ambient medium. All the metal concentrations were higher in the aquatic weeds than in water medium. Hence, these two aquatic weeds may be taken as indicator species to monitor metal pollution.