School of Environmental Studies, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin-682022, Kerala
*Author for correspondance E-mail: anil.cusat@gmail.com
Online published on 31 March, 2014.
In this study, the duckweed aquatic macrophyte Spirodela polyrrhiza was used for assessing the toxicity of two backwater wetlands in the Kannamaly, Chellanam panchayath, of Ernakulam district, Kerala, South India. The assessments were made according to the standard guidelines for testing.
The parameters studied included growth index, biomass and changes in productivity. Water samples were collected from two different wetland sites at the same time. The spirodela plants were introduced into several dilutions of wetland water samples. The parameters were measured after 7 days of exposure.
All samples, except control samples, revealed changes in the studied parameters. The results of this study emphasized the significance of duckweed as a standard and reliable testing material for biological parameters in polluted aquatic ecosystems.
Aquatic ecosystem, Biomass, Duckweed, GI, Growth index, Spirodela polyrrhiza
