Gideon Adriel E. Butalid, Richard Alvin P. Diaz, Gelvin M. Velasco (March 2002)
Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus – Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PSHS WVC), Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Philippines
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to determine the potential of water lettuce rosetta (Pistia stratiotes rosetti) as rhizofiltrator and hyperaccumulator of lead. It specifically compared the amount of lead in water, in the leaves and the roots of water lettuce rosetta before and after rhizofiltration and hyperaccumulation. It further determined the significant differences in the amount of lead in water, in the leaves, and roots of water lettuce rosetta before and after such processes.
Results showed that water lettuce rosetta can be both a rhizofiltrator and hyperaccumulator of lead as shown by the plant’s ability to remove lead from the contaminated water after ten days. Since significant differences were observed between the initial and final amounts of lead in water in the leaves of the plants, the rhizofiltrative and hyperaccumulative potentials of the water lettuce rosetta plants were evident. However, the roots of water lettuce rosetta do not function as a hyperaccumulator, but rather, as a rhizofiltrator of lead.