Journal of Stress Physiology & Biochemistry, Vol. 6 No. 3
2010, pp. 91-101 ISSN 1997-0838
Original Text Copyright (cc) 2010 by Hussain
ORIGINAL
ARTICLE
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QueryDate : 2016-12-24
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BACOPA MONNIERI
(L.) PENNELL –A GOOD BIOMARKER OF WATER POLLUTION/CONTAMINATION
Hussain. K
Asst. Prof. in Botany, Division of
Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Unity Women’s College, Manjeri.
Malappuram. Kerala-676122, INDIA Phone: Mobile: 9895501751 Email- hussainkoorimannil@gmail.com
Received May 28, 2010
Effect of water pollution on Bacopa monnieri
was studied by culturing their rooted propagules in various polluted
water samples and Hoagland nutrient medium artificially contaminated
with different micro-level concentrations of HgCl2.
Anatomical observations of those plants showed safranin-stained masses
deposited in the xylem vessels of stem. The plants treated in chemical
solutions which are free from metallic ions, under threshold level of
HgCl2, and control plants were devoid of such deposits.
Similar deposits were observed in plants cultured in various local
water samples. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric analyses of these
water samples and the bioaccumulation property of the plant detected
the presence of Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn at
various levels. The occurrence of the localized stained deposits in the
xylem vessels of the stem of the plants cultured in
polluted/contaminated aqueous medium, eventhough the growth medium
contamination is micro-levels, is indicative of high sensitivity of
Bacopa monnieri plants towards water pollution irrespective of the
chemical nature of the pollutants. Although these stained deposits are
not specific to any individual element that causes pollution, detection
of water contamination is possible by observing the safranin-stained
masses in the xylem vessels of this medicinal plant.
