Study of the Removal of Humic Acid, Organic Pollutant by Water Hyacinth Plant from Aquatic Environment and Its Effect on pH, Chlorophyll Content and Degradation

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Rupiasih, N. Nyoman | Sumadiyasa, Made | Ratnawati, A.A.

Affiliations: Biophysics Lab., Dept. of Physics, University of Udayana, Kampus Bukit Jimbaran, Bali – 80361, Indonesia | Applied-Physics Lab., Dept. of Physics, University of Udayana, Bali – 80361, Indonesia

Note: [] Corresponding author: E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: Humic acid (HA) is a pollutant formed in aquatic environment. Water hyacinth (WH) is a common aquatic plant in tropical regions and easily grows in heavily polluted water. The objective of this work is to investigate the capability of WH to remove HA from aquatic environment and its effects on pH, chlorophyll (Chl) content and degradation. The absorbtion was measured using UV-Vis spectroscopy. WH was grown in various media such as distilled water (DW), river water (RW) and HA solution with different concentrations, from 12 to 60 ppm. The absorbtion of two wavelengths, 250 and 275 nm of each sample medium were recorded after 1, 3, 5 and 8 days of exposure. The difference in concentration between control and treated media was found to be significant (p < 0.05). The study shows that WH can absorb HA from aquatic environment and help to maintain the stable condition of their aquatic environment. HA helps in increasing the concentration of Chl-a, Chl-b and total Chl of WH leaves. HA have more effect on Chl-b. Also, it has been found that HA act as a catalyst in degradation process of Chl pigments in the aquatic environment.

Keywords: Humic acid, organic pollutant, water hyacinth, chlorophyll, degradation, UV-Vis, pH

Journal: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 1-9, 2013