EFFECTS OF COPPER TREATMENT ON GROWTH OF SUBMERGED MACROPHYTES IN EUTROPHIC CONDITION

摘要

Present study evaluated growth of 4 submerged macrophytes viz, Ceratophyllum demersum, Hydrilla verticillata, Potamogetone crispus and P. pectinatus in eutrophic microcosms at 15 and 30 days following their explants growth in Hoagland solution (Control) and Hoagland solution + 0.5ppm copper (treatment) for 7 days in the indoor (sunshine: 3-4 hrs.) and outdoor (sunshine: 7-8 hrs.). Copper treatment had little adverse effect on growth shoots of Ceratophyllum (19-20% ↓), Hydrilla (14-29% ↓) and P. pectinatus (chlorophyll = 27-62% ↓). Potamogetone crispus was the only species unaffected by copper treatment Our findings suggest that heavy metals exposure shall be less toxic to macrophytes growing in the eutrophic water bodies and their biomagnification in the food chain shall contaminate edible products harvested there from.