Phytoremediation of copper (ll) ions in water using Water Lettuce (Pistia Stratiotes)

Mabini Extension, Cabanatuan City

In partial Fulfillment
Of the requirements of Research
Title defense

Simnaco, Aronnah Jewel R. (9-Silver)

Gladys Joy B. Caoile

A.J SIMANCO (9-SILVER)

K.V MEMAN (9-NITROGEN)

CATEGORY: LIFE SCIENCE

SCHOOL: HONORATO C. PEREZ SR. MEMORIAL SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL

SCHOOL ADDRESS: MABINI EXTENSION, CABANATUAN CITY, NUEVA ECIJA

REGION, CITY/MUNICIPALITY: REGION III, CABANATUAN CITY

CORRESPONDING AUTHORS’ CONTACT NUMBERS:

INTRODUCTION
The use of plants and associated soil microbes or Phytoremediation to reduce the toxic
effects of contaminants in the environment. Phytoremediation is classed based on the technology
applied, the chemical composition, or other aspects of the pollutant (Azubuike et al., 2016). Simply
put, it is a type of bioremediation that uses green plants for detoxifying polluted soil, water, and
air. Phytoremediation is an essential, eco-friendly, practical and a sustainable solution to the
problems leading to environmental contamination. It may be used either in in situ or ex situ.
(Ansari, Naeem & Gill 2020). The study by Alidoust et al., (2018) gives a summary of numerous
aquatic plants that have been investigated for their capacity to remove copper ions from aqueous
solutions, emphasizing the possibility of employing these plants as an alternative to conventional
copper removal methods. Phytoremediation is an economical and environmentally beneficial
method for using plants to remove heavy metals from contaminated water bodies without
producing sludge. (Zhang et al., 2018).
For surface waterways like rivers, lakes, and other water bodies, urbanization and
overpopulation are rapidly creating severe challenges, especially for sewage disposal and
contamination (Bhateria & Jain, 2016). While there is an increase in urbanization,
industrialization, and population explosion (Nahar et al., 2011), On the other hand, aquatic
macrophytes have a significant potential for absorbing organics, salts, particulates, and metals into
their tissues by phytoextraction (Rezania et al., 2015) and clean the polluted water bodies. Because
the plants used in phytoremediation accumulate pollutants through their roots and then transfer
them to their above-ground parts of the body, macrophytes are crucial for lowering the level of
pollution in aquatic ecosystems (Sharma et al., 2015). Additionally, macrophytes release
biopolymers from their roots that help with flocculation. In addition to removing certain colloidal
solids and other organic contaminants through microbial degradation, bacterial growth also
removes non-settling and colloidal particles, at least in part (Abbasi & Ramasami, 1999).
 According to the study of Alam & Hoque (2017) phytoremediation is applicable for the
remediation of metals, pesticides, solvents, explosives, crude oil, and landfill leachates by using
certain plants. However, some plants work best where contaminant levels are low because high
concentrations may limit plant growth and may take too long to clean up. The plant's capacity to
remove contaminants from water was improved by the addition of nitrogen and phosphorus
nutrients, according to the study by Adesodun & Mbagwu (2009), which examined the efficiency
of utilizing water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes L.) as a phytoremediation approach. According to
Etesami (2017), their study examines at the potential of microbe-assisted phytoremediation for the
removal of heavy metals, offering insight into the processes at play in the interactions between
microbes and plants as well as their efficiency in lowering metal toxicity in contaminated
environments. The research by Feng & Qiu (2020) reviews current studies on the use of water
lettuce for phytoremediation of heavy metal pollution, offering insights into the plant's capacity to
remove different heavy metals from contaminated water and its potential for use in the restoration
of metal-contaminated aquatic environments.
The research by Kargoglu et al., (2018) investigates the potential of aquatic macrophytes
for phytoremediation of heavy metals from water. Water lettuce is one of the most effective aid in
purifying water bodies as it has the ability to hold together and detoxify ions that are made up of
copper. There are, however, limitations to the effectiveness of water lettuce such as the long
duration of exposure of the water to the copper ion and its pH level (Awuah et al.,2004). The
research by Kaur et al., (2017) examined the potential of water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes L.) for
phytoremediation of cadmium-contaminated water. The study showed the plant's effectiveness at
removing cadmium from water and highlighted its potential as a practical and long-lasting method
for reducing heavy metal pollution.
Heavy metals can exist in a variety of oxidation states and can persist for a long time in the
environment, making them a non-biodegradable cause of water pollution (Yadav et al., 2018).
Copper is present in drain waters because it is often used in many industrial supplications. Hence,
phytoremediation comes in handy by using plants to purify said water. (Bhatia & Walsh 2018).
The efficacy of Pistia stratiotes L. was explored in the study by Arslanoglu & Kose (2018) In order
to show the plant's potential for phytoremediation of metal-contaminated settings, copper, nickel,
and zinc were removed from single and multi-component metal solutions. Water lettuce (Pistia
stratiotes) has been studied and reported for its tolerance, rapid growth and high biomass
production in environments contaminated by toxic metals; this macrophyte is efficient in the
decontamination of aquatic reservoirs (Santos & Amaral, 2020).
With the help of green plants, dangerous environmental pollutants can be eliminated or
rendered inactive through the new technology known as phytoremediation. Because they have a
high capacity for adaptation and hyperaccumulation compared to native species, invasive species
are now being used to clean up contaminants in water systems in tropical and subtropical regions
(Patel & Sahoo, 2020). The invasive plants outperform native plants in terms of nutrient removal
efficiency thanks to their high nutrient uptake capacity, aiding in the process of water purification
(Prabakaran et al., 2019). The free-floating aquatic macrophyte Pistia stratiotes, which is a member
of the Araceae family, was chosen due to its unique qualities, including its rapid growth rate, high
resistance to heavy metals, and ease of cultivation. This plant is widely distributed in tropical and
subtropical regions, where high temperatures and an abundance of sunlight foster its growth to the
point where it may qualify as an invasive species and a nuisance (GISD, 2005). Pistia stratiotes L.
is an invasive plant. is a floating macrophyte with excellent bioaccumulation capacity and
tolerance to environmental influences, however it is largely disregarded because of these traits
(Pandey, 2012). Analyzing the capacity to absorb, sequester, and degrade contaminants (Fletcher
et al., 2020). is a crucial step before phytoremediation is used in natural freshwaters, and water
lettuce has the capacity to remove water pollutants effectively and with a greater survival rate
while enduring larger levels of pollution (Sooknah & Wilkie, 2004).
Water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes L.) is a plant that can survive and adapt to surroundings that
are copper-contaminated. Study shows that the extensive root system of the water lettuce as well
as the body biomass improved water quality after one week of treatment (Carolin et al., 2017).
Aziz (2016) article gives a summary of the ecology, distribution, biology, and economic
applications of Pistia stratiotes L., stressing the plant's potential as a source of revenue and its
ecological value in the management of aquatic environments. The study by Akapo (2011)
examined the morphological and anatomical effects of crude oil on Pistia stratiotes, offering insight
into the plant's capacity to endure and adapt to oil-contaminated environments and indicating its
potential for phytoremediation of oil-polluted aquatic ecosystems. Both dissolved particles in
tainted water and significant amounts of salt were absorbed by the plants in several cultures. These
findings support those made by Rodrigues et al., (2017).

In recent years, the issue of water contamination has become a major concern due to the
negative impacts it has on the environment and human health. Copper (II) ions, which are
commonly found in industrial effluents, pose a significant threat to aquatic life and can cause
serious health problems if consumed by humans. Phytoremediation, the use of plants to remove
pollutants from the environment, has emerged as a promising solution to tackle this problem.
Water lettuce (Pistia Stratiotes) has been found to be an effective plant for the removal of copper
(II) ions from water due to its ability to absorb and accumulate heavy metals. The researchers aims
to investigate the potential of water lettuce for phytoremediation of copper (II) ions in water and
to evaluate the effectiveness of this approach for water treatment. The outcomes of this study will
provide valuable insights into the use of water lettuce for the remediation of copper (II) ion-
contaminated water and contribute to the development of sustainable and eco-friendly water
treatment strategies.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

1. Is there a significant difference of the absorbed copper ions of water lettuce in the
following:

a. 10 ppm
b. 20 ppm
c. 50 ppm

2. How may the water quality from day 1-14 be describe in terms of:

a. Ph
b. Temperature
c. Dissolve Oxygen

OBJECTIVES:

1. To determine the optimum growth conditions for water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) for the
efficient removal of copper (II) ions from water.
2. To evaluate the effectiveness of water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) in removing copper (II)
ions from water and to compare its performance with other phytoremediation agents and
traditional treatment methods.
3. To assess the feasibility of using water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) as a sustainable and cost-
effective technology for the removal of copper (II) ions from contaminated water sources,
and to explore its potential for large-scale implementation in real-world scenarios.

HYPHOTESIS:
1. The presence of copper (II) ions in water will affect the growth of water lettuce (Pistia
stratiotes).
2. The plant water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) was different from other aquatic plants.
3. Water lettuce (Pistia Stratiotes) can effectively remove copper (II) ions from water through
phytoremediation.
METHODOLOGY:
Gathering of materials:
Obtain healthy water lettuce plants from Nurseries, aquatic research facilities. Wash the plants
thoroughly with clean water to remove any dirt or debris. Then, transfer the plants to a container
filled with dechlorinated water and allow them to acclimate for a week, and Purchase copper (II)
sulfate from a chemical supplier.
Preparation of the experimental setup:
Prepare a 1mM copper (II) sulfate solution by dissolving 0.2495 g of copper (II) sulfate in 1 L of
dechlorinated water. Pour the solution into a container and place the water lettuce in it.
Monitoring of water quality parameters:
Measure the pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen levels of the water daily using a pH meter,
thermometer, and dissolved oxygen meter, respectively. Maintain the pH between 6.5 and 7.5, the
temperature between 25°C and 30°C, and the dissolved oxygen between 5 and 7 ppm.
Copper (II) ion concentration measurement:
Measure the copper (II) ion concentration in the water sample weekly using an atomic absorption
spectrophotometer.
Monitoring plant growth:
Follow the development and outward manifestation of the water lettuce plants throughout the
experiment. Make observations about the size, color, and general health of the leaves. This will
allow for an evaluation of the plant's resistance to and capacity to deal with copper (II) ion toxicity.
Copper (II) ion uptake analysis:
In the experiment container, gather samples of water lettuce regularly (for instance, once a week).
To get rid of any impurities on the samples’ surfaces, rinse them with water. Weigh the samples
after drying them at a specified temperature. To dissolve the plant matter liberate the absorbed
copper (II) ions, the dried samples should be digested in a suitable acid, such as nitric acid. Using
an atomic absorption spectrophotometer, determine the amount of copper (II) ions present in the
outcome solution. Determine how many coppers (II) ions the water lettuce plant have absorbed.
Data interpretation:
The uptake of water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) in the phytoremediation of copper (II) ions will be
shown in table 2.
TABLE 1:
Monitoring of plant growth
DAYS PLANT’S SIZE PLANT’S COLOR NUMBER OF
LEAVES
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13
Day 14

TABLE 2:
Concentration of copper ions absorb by water lettuce
BEFORE R1 R2 R3
10 ppm
20 ppm
50 ppm

TABLE 3:
Monitoring of water quality
DAYS PH TEMPERATURE DISSOLVED
OXYGEN
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13
Day 14
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