Ecological and socio-economic utilization of water hyacinth (&lt;i&gt;Eichhornia crassipes&lt;/i&gt; Mart Solms)

Jafari, Naser

doi:10.4314/jasem.v14i2.57834

Cited by 76 publications

(70 citation statements)

References 30 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…This speedy decline of aquatic species in HAN-HI and BEN-HI villus is probably due to the adverse impacts caused by the spread of E. crassipes. The studies indicate that high multiplicative ability of E. crassipes can impose high competition on the native flora, hindering their growth and survival (Jafari 2010). Previous studies too have noted that high coverage of E. crassipes can reduce sunlight penetration and oxygen content in water, thereby negatively affecting the native, submerged species (Villamagna and Murphy 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts of river regulation and other anthropogenic activities on floodplain vegetation: A case study from Sri Lanka

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract:Since the initiation of large-scale development in late 1970s, the Mahaweli River basin in Sri Lanka has experienced significant changes. However, no comprehensive study has been undertaken so far to evaluate the impacts of river regulation on associated ecosystems including floodplains in the downstream. The present study was aimed at identifying the impacts due to both river regulation and other anthropogenic activities on inland floodplain habitats (locally known as villus) located along the final stretch of the River Mahaweli before reaching the Indian Ocean. Four villus, Handapana (HAN), Bendiya (BEN), Karapola (KAR) and Gengala (GEN), were selected for the study. HAN and BEN can be considered as highly influenced (HI) by river regulation while KAR and GEN as less influenced (LI) due to their respective locations. Due to the absence of pre-regulation vegetation data, HI villus were compared with LI villus in order to explore any potential impacts of river regulation. Vegetation was enumerated using belt transect method. To find out other on-going anthropogenic impacts on these villu ecosystems, a survey was conducted using 100 individuals living in two villages located nearby. The results revealed some significant modification in the composition and the diversity of the vegetation, most possibly due to river regulation and other on-going anthropogenic activities. However, the most notable changes were recorded in the herbaceous layer. Some native aquatic herbaceous species have been completely absent over the period of two decades since the developmental activities begun, while some exotic invasive aquatic species (Eichhornia crassipes) dominated the herbaceous layer in HI villus threatening the survival of the remaining native species. Density and richness of lianas too diminished significantly in HI villus perhaps due to changes of micro-habitat conditions as a result of river regulation and also due to over-harvesting for commercial purposes. The results suggest that these ecosystems have been altered over the years due to culmination of factors including altered flow regimes following river regulation and some on-going human influences. The present study highlights the importance of regulating such human influences on villus including fishing and extracting cane and reed in order to protect these vulnerable ecosystems for future generations. The potential of these ecosystems to develop ecotourism has also been emphasized.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts of river regulation and other anthropogenic activities on floodplain vegetation: A case study from Sri Lanka

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Dense root network means pumping more oxygen and hence more nitrification [11][12][13]. Denitrification then takes place which eliminates nitrogenous gases in large quantities [4]. Phragmites mauritianus, T. domingensis and T. capensis followed in overall nitrogen removal because they also form large extensive root biomasses [13].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ammonia nitrogen is undesirable for discharge to receiving water bodies due to its toxicity to fish and high dissolved oxygen demand (DOD) which contributes to the eutrophication of fresh water bodies. Nitrites and nitrates both are undesirable for discharge to ground water because of their toxicity to humans especially infants [4]. The presence of more than 45 mg/L of nitrates (10 mg/L NO 3 -N) the maximum concentration level (MCL) for drinking water may cause methemoglobinemia (blue-baby syndrome).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Potential Macrophytes for Nitrogen Removal from Domestic Wastewater in Horizontal Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetlands in Tanzania

A.T¹,

H.B

H.J.Y³

et al. 2013

TOENVIEJ

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract:The role of six indigenous macrophytes (Cypreus grandis, C. dubis, Kyllinga erectus, Phragmites mauritianus, Typha domingensis and T. capensis) was investigated for nitrogen removal in horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania receiving waste stabilization ponds effluent. Seven horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands were fed with the same source of domestic wastewater, where six of them were planted with a monoculture macrophytic species while the seventh was not planted and it acted as a control cell. On alternatedays' basis for twenty eight weeks both the influent and effluent water samples from each cell were collected and sent to the laboratory for ammonia-N, nitrate-N and Total Kjeldahl-N analysis. Nitrogen bioaccumulation and plant biomasses were analyzed during the transplanting time, after ten weeks and after flowering. Temperature, pH and plant heights were determined in situ. Results show that overall nitrogen removal was through denitrification where K.erectus performed better (75.59%) than the rest.Since P.mauritianus(74.37% )established well and had the longest growing period after harvest useso therefore it was selected as the best macrophyte. More research needs to be done prior to making a final decision on the use of any of these macrophytes for nitrogen removal depending on the weather and soils of the specific area.

show abstract

“…Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is a free floating freshwater plant of the family Pontederiaceae that has proven to be a significant economic and ecological burden to many sub-tropical and tropical regions of the world [17]. Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) has been called the world's worst aquatic weed.…”

Section: Background Of Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Producing Liquid Organic Fertilizer from Water Hyacinth; A Case of Lake Victoria, Kenya

2016

IJSR

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is a free floating freshwater plant of the family Pontederiaceae that has proven to be a significant economic and ecological burden to many sub-tropical and tropical regions of the world. Water hyacinth has infested the fresh waters of Lake Victoria threatening the ecological health of the lake, and the livelihoods of lakeshore communities that depend on it for their income. Many methods have been used to completely eradicate the weed from the lake which include; mechanical / physical removal of the hyacinth, biological control and chemical control but none of these has been able to eradicate the weed from Lake Victoria. This study therefore endeavored to determine an integration of water hyacinth management and control with community involvement in the production of liquid organic fertilizer. The specific objectives were: to determine the chemical composition of water hyacinth, to prepare liquid samples of water hyacinth in different concentrations for application in the vegetable farm and to determine the responses of crotalaria ochroleuca vegetable to water hyacinth as a liquid organic fertilizer, The study area was along the beaches of Kisumu, Homabay and Kendubay. Chemical composition of water hyacinth was determined by the use of Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Prepared samples of the hyacinth were administered along with the chemical fertilizer (DAP) to crotalaria ochroleuca vegetables planted in pots and placed in a greenhouse to determine crop responses on water hyacinth applications as fertilizer. Completely Randomized Design (CRD) and a one-way ANOVA technique were used to analyze data. Water hyacinth samples from the three study areas contained significant amounts of chemical components. These were; Chlorine, Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Sulphur, Copper, Calcium, Magnesium and Lead. It was found that at 5% level of significance, one liter water hyacinth sample significantly increased the plant height, number of leaves per plant and the leaf area, of crotalaria ochroleuca vegetable.. The study recommends that the government should encourage the production of organic fertilizer from hyacinth and involve the community in their production since these will empower the community economically and help rid the lake of the weed.

show abstract

Ecological and socio-economic utilization of water hyacinth (<i>Eichhornia crassipes</i> Mart Solms)

Cited by 76 publications

References 30 publications

Impacts of river regulation and other anthropogenic activities on floodplain vegetation: A case study from Sri Lanka

Impacts of river regulation and other anthropogenic activities on floodplain vegetation: A case study from Sri Lanka

Potential Macrophytes for Nitrogen Removal from Domestic Wastewater in Horizontal Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetlands in Tanzania

Producing Liquid Organic Fertilizer from Water Hyacinth; A Case of Lake Victoria, Kenya

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About