World’s most troublesome aquatic weed water hyacinth (
Eichhornia crassipes
) has been studied
for its tendency to accumulate the heavy metal contaminants present in water bodies. A thorough chemical
investigation has shed light on the fact that it accumulates heavy metals like Lead (Pb), Chromium (Cr), Zinc (Zn)
and Manganese (Mn) to a large extent. The presence of higher concentration of these metals in the aquatic weed
signifies bio-magnification that lead to filtration of metallic ions from polluted water. The concept that water hyacinth
can be used as a natural aquatic treatment system in the uptake of heavy metals is explored.
