368
P. Mazumder et al.
wastes into value-added substance, i.e., compost for utilization in the agricultural
sector. This chapter compiles the available literature on the uses of water hyacinth
for the benefit of mankind. The focus has been given on composting of water hyacinth
and its application.
16.2 Water Hyacinth Application
16.2.1 Phytoremediation
Phytoremediation is considered as a spontaneously happening natural process,
reported by men about >3 centuries ago (Lasat 2000). Ever since then, human
exploited different plant’s abilities to thrive in the heavily polluted regions and to
remove various pollutants from the soil and water environment. Since the 1980s,
research and development for the engineering of those unique plants’ characteristics
had been practiced (Paz-Alberto and Sigua 2013). Phytoremediation is defined by
Kösesakal et al. (2016) as a technique where rhizospheric microbes and plants are
used for the removal of pollutants from soil, groundwater, surface water, sediment,
or even from the atmosphere. Similarly, Placek et al. (2016), described phytoremediation as the exploitation of plants and leguminous microbes to phytoextract/remove,
phytostabilize/immobilize, phytodegrade contaminants from soil and water. Water
hyacinth is contemplated competent for phytoremediation because of its capability
to regenerate expeditiously, high nutrient/contaminants absorption capability, and
acclimatization to harsh surroundings and natural conditions (Rezania et al. 2015).
16.2.1.1 In the Removal of Arsenic from Water
Arsenic (As) is a pernicious pollutant in water sources. It is recognized as carcinogenic (group A) by United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Availability of arsenic in water beyond its maximum permissible limit, i.e., 0.05 mg/L has
affected many countries in the world (USEPA 2008). Water contaminated by agricultural and industrial effluents is considered as major cause for occurrence of As.
Goswami et al. 2014, reported the ability of water hyacinth and lesser duckweed
(Lemna minor) for the removal of As from contaminated sources up to a concentration of 0.15 mg/L. This study was conducted with plant density of 4 kg/m
2 water
hyacinth and 1 kg/m
2 lesser duckweed (wet basis). Determination method of arsenic
in foliar tissue of water hyacinth plant and in water samples used in the study was by
hydride generation atomic absorption spectroscopy after 21 days of sampling. The
authors had reported that there was no notable variance found in the As accumulation capacity (bioaccumulation) in these two aquatic plants. Furthermore, provided
the conditions of the experimental design, removal efficiency for E. crassipes was
600 mg As/ha d and that of L. minor was 140 mg As/ha d. Removal rate of water
P. Mazumder et al.
wastes into value-added substance, i.e., compost for utilization in the agricultural
sector. This chapter compiles the available literature on the uses of water hyacinth
for the benefit of mankind. The focus has been given on composting of water hyacinth
and its application.
16.2 Water Hyacinth Application
16.2.1 Phytoremediation
Phytoremediation is considered as a spontaneously happening natural process,
reported by men about >3 centuries ago (Lasat 2000). Ever since then, human
exploited different plant’s abilities to thrive in the heavily polluted regions and to
remove various pollutants from the soil and water environment. Since the 1980s,
research and development for the engineering of those unique plants’ characteristics
had been practiced (Paz-Alberto and Sigua 2013). Phytoremediation is defined by
Kösesakal et al. (2016) as a technique where rhizospheric microbes and plants are
used for the removal of pollutants from soil, groundwater, surface water, sediment,
or even from the atmosphere. Similarly, Placek et al. (2016), described phytoremediation as the exploitation of plants and leguminous microbes to phytoextract/remove,
phytostabilize/immobilize, phytodegrade contaminants from soil and water. Water
hyacinth is contemplated competent for phytoremediation because of its capability
to regenerate expeditiously, high nutrient/contaminants absorption capability, and
acclimatization to harsh surroundings and natural conditions (Rezania et al. 2015).
16.2.1.1 In the Removal of Arsenic from Water
Arsenic (As) is a pernicious pollutant in water sources. It is recognized as carcinogenic (group A) by United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Availability of arsenic in water beyond its maximum permissible limit, i.e., 0.05 mg/L has
affected many countries in the world (USEPA 2008). Water contaminated by agricultural and industrial effluents is considered as major cause for occurrence of As.
Goswami et al. 2014, reported the ability of water hyacinth and lesser duckweed
(Lemna minor) for the removal of As from contaminated sources up to a concentration of 0.15 mg/L. This study was conducted with plant density of 4 kg/m
2 water
hyacinth and 1 kg/m
2 lesser duckweed (wet basis). Determination method of arsenic
in foliar tissue of water hyacinth plant and in water samples used in the study was by
hydride generation atomic absorption spectroscopy after 21 days of sampling. The
authors had reported that there was no notable variance found in the As accumulation capacity (bioaccumulation) in these two aquatic plants. Furthermore, provided
the conditions of the experimental design, removal efficiency for E. crassipes was
600 mg As/ha d and that of L. minor was 140 mg As/ha d. Removal rate of water