ISSN 2249-9695 Original Article Bio-remediation of water bodies in Allahabad by Eicchornia crassipes Study of physico-chemical and biochemical parameters of water hyacinth

The objective of the present study is to evaluate the bioremediation potential of Eicchornia crassipes (bio-filters) inhabiting the wastewater bodies situated in the trans-region of the two rivers Ganges and Yamuna of Allahabad region. Amongst the physicochemical parameters measured viz. pH, DO, BOD and COD; pH decreased from 7.7 ± 0.02 to 7.3 ± 0.03 and from 8.8 ± 0.04 to 7.2 ± 0.01 in waste water bodies of trans-regions of the Yamuna and the Ganges, respectively. Similarly, DO values increased by 94% and 65%, BOD values decreased by 54% and 66% and COD values decreased by 53% and 73% respectively for trans- regions of the Yamuna and the Ganges rivers as compared to their respective control. The increase in total chlorophyll content was maximum (20%) in the trans-Yamuna as compared to trans-Ganges regions. Total protein content increased by 15% in shoots and 14% in roots of the plant in the trans-Yamuna regions over plants in the transGanges regions. These results indicate E. crass...