Phytoremediation potential of Ipomoea aquatica, Bacopa monnieri, and Alternanthera sessilis in Xiphophorus maculatus (Platy) rearing tanks

Abstract

Phytoremediation is a frequently employed biological method which entails utilizing aquatic plants to diminish, extract, or eliminate organic and inorganic compounds from both water and soil. The present study was conducted to explore the phytoremediation capabilities of Ipomoea aquatica (IA), Bacopa monnieri (BM), and Alternanthera sessilis (AS) in rearing tanks of Xiphophorus maculatus (Platy). In control treatment no plants were used, in other three treatments one of the experimental plants (4 plants/tank) was used. Fish (0.1742± 0.042g and 1.7815±0.21cm) were stocked at the stocking density of 08 fish/tank. Seedlings of IA (9.33±0.50 cm), BM (7.49±0.50 cm), and AS (8.66±1.09 cm) were transplanted onto a floating Styrofoam raft. Fish were fed 5% of bodyweight twice a day. Final lengths (3.1199±0.23) and weights (0.4003±0.079) of fish were not significantly different among treatments. There were no significant differences observed in dissolved oxygen, salinity, temperature, and pH among the treatments during the study period. However, the ammonia levels in IA (0.15±0.005 mg/L) were significantly lower than those in BM (0.31±0.03 mg/L), AS (0.23±0.025 mg/L), and the control (0.50±0.20 mg/L). Additionally, the nitrite levels in IA (0.66±0.14 mg/L) were significantly lower than in the other treatments (1.08±0.144 mg/L). Moreover, the nitrate levels in IA (0.333±0.57 mg/L) were significantly lower compared to the other treatments (1.66±0.57 mg/L). IA exhibited significantly higher various plant growth parameters, including total plant height, shoot length, root length (cm), % shoot length, % root length, wet weight of plants, and % weight gain. Conversely, the number of leaves was significantly higher in the BM treatment than in the other two. Analysis of both plant growth and water quality parameters, the findings strongly indicate that Ipomoea aquatica emerges as a highly promising candidate for effective phytoremediation applications.