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ABSTRACT
This experiment was carried out to investigate the growth response, survival and heavy metal accumulation of Pistia stratiotes L. (Arecaceae) in water polluted by crude oil. The following parameters were measured: leaf diameter, root length, stolon length, stolon girth, chlorophyll content index, fresh weight and dry weight. The treatment concentrations for the experiment were 0% (control), 0.5%, 1%, 1.5% and 2%. The experiment was done using three replicates per treatment, and the plants were exposed to all concentrations for 13 days. After being exposed to crude oil at varying concentrations, there was a decrease generally in the growth parameters, resulting in wilting and eventual death of the plants in some treatments. The plants showed remarkable increase in the accumulation of heavy metals, with the concentration being more in the roots than in the shoots. The result of this study reveals that even at low concentrations, crude oil can be detrimental to the survival of P. stratiotes.
