EFFECTS OF IKPOBA RIVER WATER EFFLUENT ON THE GROWTH, MORPHOLOGY AND BIOMASS OF Pistia stratiotes L.

ABSTRACT

This research was conducted with sole aim of investigating the effect of the Ikpoba River water effluent on the group, morphology and plant based compound of Pistia stratiotes. This study used Pistia stratiotes as the aquatic macrophyte which serve as a bioindicator to test the toxicity level of the Ikpoba River water effluent. Unfettered effluent discharge, in addition to seasonal run-offs, into Ikpoba River, have been blamed for the ever poor water quality noticed in the river. Samples of the macrophyte were obtained from OviaRiver in Edo State and transported to the Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, where they were used for the experiment conducted in the screen house. Duncan multiple test and SPSS analysis were carried out on the experiment data obtained . Experimental treatments consisted of 0 (control), 5, 10, 15 and 20 % v/v. Using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and three replicates per treatments, the plants were exposed to the treatments for 10 days. P. stratiotes samples grown in the Ikpoba River water effluent showed significant decrease (p<0.01) in most morphological parameters observed. When compared with the control. Wilting, chlorosis and necrosis were observed in some of the plants treated with 20 % v/v and 15 % v/v. Observations obtained in this study revealed that the Ikpoba River water effluent impact macrophyte parameters at higher concentration levels. The study has shown that P. stratiotes can be employed as a tool for biomonitoring of  in fresh water habitats polluted with untreated industrial effluent. The study further suggests the need for more intensive research to fully understand the impacts of pollution caused by untreated industrial effluents on aquatic plants.