XVI International Botanical Congess

Chromium pollution caused by the tanneries is one of the most serious problems of India. Due to ineffectiveness of conventional methods, the efforts are being made to use aquatic plants which provide a viable alternative and cost effective system. The study carried out on submerged species (Ceratophyllum demersum L, Hydrilla verticillata l.f. Royle), emergent species (Bacopa monnieri L., Limnanthemum cristatum Griseb., Alternanthera sessilis L.) Showed significant accumulation of chromium, especially in the roots. In A. sessilis Cr accumulation was as high as 3000 ?g-1 dry wt. At 1.0 mg L-1 Cr background concentration after 48 h. In shoot of A. sessilis, chromium accumulation was quite low (370.96 ?g g-1 dw at 1.0 mg L-1 background concentration) showing that the most of chromium accumulated was bound in the root itself. Plants of Bacopa monnieri showed significant potential to accumulate Cr when subjected to repeated exposures of chromium containing solutions. The study suggests that planned and systematic application of these plants and their proper disposal would be quite effective in reducing chromium pollution load in and around tanning units.