Effects of arsenic (V) and chromium (VI) on the growth and survival of (Azolla microphylla)

• Main Author: Sarenas, Jay Conrad A.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1993
• Subjects: Arsenic > Toxicology; Chromium; Azolla
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/1146
• Institution: De La Salle University

The adverse effects of As(V) and Cr(VI) on the growth of water velvet (A. microphylla) was investigated. Test species were grown in nitrogen-free culture media held at pH 5.5 under 12 hour light and 12 hour dark regime. Constant amount of azolla (0.16 g) were placed in white plastic cups and exposed to As (V) and Cr (VI) at concentration levels of 0.0, 1.0, and 10.0 mg/l. Changes in biomass content and frond area were measured and analysed. Test concentrations of 1.0 and 10.0 mg/1 As(V) and Cr(VI) resulted to biomass content reduction lower than the control level 7 percent-59 percent for As(V) and 12 percent-43 percent for Cr(VI). Frond area on the other hand, manifested an overall reduction of 30 percent-65 percent for As(V) and 25 percent-57 percent for Cr(VI). The results of the present study revealed that As(V) and Cr(VI) are phytotoxic to A. microphylla causing growth inhibition under short term laboratory exposure. There was a significant (P 0.05) concentration-dependent reduction in biomass content and frond area of A. microphylla exposed to As (V) and Cr(VI). Time-related effect were found to be insignificant (P 0.05).