Hydrilla as Mercury Absorber
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
A. Background of the Study Water pollution has been considered as one of the primary destroyers of Earth’s environmental health. With the development of technology and industries, the bodies of water are left unclean. Few of the most alarming effects of water pollution are food contamination and disturbance in the food chain. Researchers have long been searching for answers for the elimination and prevention of water pollution, which will cost less than the usual and commercial methods used. Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) is a halophyte. Hydrilla verticillata, a profusely occurring submergent specie, has been found to thrive well in highly polluted water (Sinha, et al., 1993). In addition, the plant has shown promise in the removal of heavy metals (Gupta and Chandra, 1994). One of the most common heavy metals is mercury. Mercury is a silvery-white poisonous heavy metal and is considered as one of the most dangerous metals. The entry of mercury in the food chain is one of the problems today because our bodies easily absorb mercury. The researchers aim to study the physical changes that will be brought about by mercury to Hydrilla plants.
B. Statement of the Problem
Main Problem: Can mercury cause physical changes to Hydrilla plants?
Sub Problems:
1) What are the physical characteristics of Hydrilla plants exposed in water with no mercury in terms of: a) leaf color b) leaf texture ; and c) new leaves?
2) What are the physical changes of Hydrilla plants exposed in water with different concentrations of mercury in terms of: a) leaf color b) leaf texture ; and c) new leaves?
C. Objectives of the Study
This study aims to
1) determine if mercury causes changes in the physical appearance of Hydrilla plants
2) compare the physical features of Hydrilla plants planted in water with no mercury and with the one containing mercury
D. Hypotheses of the Study
1) Mercury cannot cause changes
INTRODUCTION
A. Background of the Study Water pollution has been considered as one of the primary destroyers of Earth’s environmental health. With the development of technology and industries, the bodies of water are left unclean. Few of the most alarming effects of water pollution are food contamination and disturbance in the food chain. Researchers have long been searching for answers for the elimination and prevention of water pollution, which will cost less than the usual and commercial methods used. Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) is a halophyte. Hydrilla verticillata, a profusely occurring submergent specie, has been found to thrive well in highly polluted water (Sinha, et al., 1993). In addition, the plant has shown promise in the removal of heavy metals (Gupta and Chandra, 1994). One of the most common heavy metals is mercury. Mercury is a silvery-white poisonous heavy metal and is considered as one of the most dangerous metals. The entry of mercury in the food chain is one of the problems today because our bodies easily absorb mercury. The researchers aim to study the physical changes that will be brought about by mercury to Hydrilla plants.
B. Statement of the Problem
Main Problem: Can mercury cause physical changes to Hydrilla plants?
Sub Problems:
1) What are the physical characteristics of Hydrilla plants exposed in water with no mercury in terms of: a) leaf color b) leaf texture ; and c) new leaves?
2) What are the physical changes of Hydrilla plants exposed in water with different concentrations of mercury in terms of: a) leaf color b) leaf texture ; and c) new leaves?
C. Objectives of the Study
This study aims to
1) determine if mercury causes changes in the physical appearance of Hydrilla plants
2) compare the physical features of Hydrilla plants planted in water with no mercury and with the one containing mercury
D. Hypotheses of the Study
1) Mercury cannot cause changes