Phytoremediation Study of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia Crassipes) on Zinc Metal Ion (Zn2+)

Abstract

The high level of community activity around the river has resulted in high levels of heavy metals contained in river water. Commonly found heavy metals such as zinc (Zn), mercury (Hg), and copper (Cu). To reduce or remove heavy metals in the waters, phytoremediation techniques are used. The purpose of this study was to determine the ability of water hyacinth plants (E. crassipes) in remediating Zn2+ metal in contaminated Lake Tempe water. The research method used includes the sampling process, acclimatization, physicochemical analysis, Zn analysis, Bio-Concentration Factor (BCF), and infrared (IR) analysis. The Zn concentration in Lake Tempe water decreased after 30 days of the phytoremediation process. And the highest adsorbed Zn (II) metal ions on water hyacinth plants was 77,257 ppm on the 30th day. It was found that there is a relationship between the BCF value and the phytoremediation time, the higher the phytoremediation time, the higher the BCF value obtained. IR data show the presence of Zn metal bonds in plants involving the functional groups C=S, C=N, and OH. This indicates that water hyacinth (E. crassipes) has the potential to be used as a phytoremediation agent in adsorbing Zn in Lake Tempe waters.