Title : Green guardians of the water: Harnessing the power of aquatic plants in combatting aquatic toxicity
Abstract:
Aquatic ecosystems face multiple threats, that affect the biodiversity of aquatic organisms. The huge applications of pesticides, harmful chemicals, and industrial effluents increase the toxicants in aquatic ecosystems. On the other hand, researchers focus on remedial measures to control aquatic pollution through natural methods. Aquatic plants play vital roles in detoxifying and reducing the pollutants in an ecosystem. In India, many aquatic plants are capturing the eyes of investigators. Some of them are, Eichhornia crassipes, Lemna minor, Hydrilla verticillate, Lemna minor, Hydrilla verticillata, Phragmites spp. etc. which through detoxification of the phenolic compound in aquatic bodies. In recent reports, it was observed noted that, Eichhornia crassipes are widely used for wastewater treatment by eliminating and metabolizing Phenylcyclohexyl piperidine (PCP). Techniques like phytoremediation (using aquatic plants to cure the contaminated plant bodies), phytoextraction (uptake the heavy metals and toxic elements by roots of plants), rhizo-filtration (absorbs the contaminants by the roots in the highly toxic aqueous ecosystem) performed in both aquatic and terrestrial, algal turf scrubber (ATS) removal of organic pollutants and concentrated nutrients by using filamentous algae, constructed wetlands, which are the copies of wetlands to treat the natural wetlands. There are so many aquatic plant species that have a natural ability to absorb or break down the toxic elements and metabolites in aquatic environments. Using these plants for remedial purposes of the toxicity of aquatic ecosystems and wastewater treatments naturally and effectively. Utilization of these plants to combat the aquatic toxicity, thereby protecting the non-target organisms is a cost-effective way of controlling the water pollution also.
Audience takes-away:
1. Overview of Aquatic Plant Functions: The presentation might start by explaining the roles that aquatic plants play in aquatic ecosystems, such as oxygen production, nutrient cycling, habitat provision, and sediment stabilization.
2. Pollution Remediation Mechanisms: It may help to develop mechanisms by which aquatic plants reduce pollution. This might include their ability to absorb and metabolize nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, which are often pollutants in water bodies due to runoff from agriculture and urban areas
3. Phytoremediation Techniques: The phytoremediation technique will through light on the process of metabolism that aquatic plants use while uptake, and sequestering contaminants from the water or sediment.
4. Challenges and Considerations: The presentation will be useful for the determination of factors such as plant species selection, site suitability, maintenance requirements, and potential unintended consequences.
5. Future Prospectives: Finally, the talk may be important for future research pathways or potential applications for leveraging aquatic plants in pollution reduction efforts. This could include advancements in plant breeding or genetic engineering to enhance phytoremediation capabilities, as well as integrated approaches combining aquatic plants with other pollution control measures.
