Aquatic plant response

This research was conducted with sole aim of investigating the effect of crude oil on the group, morphology and plant based compound of Eichornia crassipes. Samples of the macrophyte were obtained from Ologbo pond in Edo State and transported to the Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, where they were used for the experiment conducted in the screen house. The experimental treatments consisted of 0 (control), 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 % v/v. Using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and three replicates per treatments, the plants were exposed to the treatments for 8 days. E. crassipes samples grown in crude oil showed significant decrease (p<0.01) in all morphological parameters observed. When compared with the control. Wilting, chlorosis and necrosis were observed in some of the plants treated with 0.8 % v/v and 0.6 % v/v.
The plants showed remarkable increase in the accumulation of heavy metals with concentration being more in the roots than in the shoots. Observations obtained in this study revealed that crude oil impact macrophyte parameters at higher concentration levels. The study has shown that E. crassipes can be employed as a tool for biomonitoring of crude oil in fresh water habitats. The study further suggests the need for more intensive research to fully understand the impacts of crude oil pollution on aquatic plants.