EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON THE SURVIVAL OF Pontederia crassipes EXPOSED TO BEVERAGE EFFLUENT

ABSTRACT

Nigeria is a fast-growing nation with several industrial complexes producing a wide range of goods. Often, the manufacturing process leads to the emergence of waste products in the form of effluents. These effluents are often treated and released into the surrounding water bodies. However, because of the chemical nature of the effluents, they may sometimes affect the flora and fauna of the environment. This effect may be negative, thus constituting pollution. The physicochemical characteristics of 7UP Bottling Company (Benin City) LTD Effluent and the effect on growth, physiology, and morphology of Water Hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes) for 13 days (about 2 weeks) were studied and evaluated. Samples of the macrophyte were obtained from Ologbo pond in Edo State, Nigeria, and transported to the Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Benin, where they were set up in the screen house for the study. The experimental treatments consisted of 0 (control), 5, 10, 15, and 20 % v/v. Concentration effluent Using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and three replicates per treatment, the plants were exposed to the treatments for 13 days. Root length, root girth, stem girth, leaf diameter and chlorophyll content showed a significant difference decrease with increase in effluent concentration. The number of leaves also reduced significantly over the course of the experiment. Chlorosis and necrosis were observed in some of the plants treated with 15 % v/v and 20 % v/v. Observations obtained in this study revealed that beverage effluent had a negative impact on parameters of Pontederia crassipes at higher concentration levels. The study has shown that bevrege effluent can significantly affect the growth of Pontederia crassipes. The study further suggests the need for more intensive research to fully understand the implications of these findings, and to apply them to solving real-world problems.