REMOVAL OF HEAVY METALS FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTION BY WATER HYACINTH ("EICHHORNIA CRASSIPES")

The water hyacinth have the ability to absorb heavy metals and other trace contaminants. They enter surface and groundwater in various ways and affect flora and fauna. Batch studies were conducted and the uptake of As, Cr, Hg, Pb and Zn for different concentrations(5 to 50 mg/l) was studied. Results indicated that at lower concentration(5) the plant growth was normal, above 10 mg/l the plant started wilting and removal efficiency was reduced. A gene- ralysed polynomial model was proposed for kinetics of Ni removal.