This abstract describe the ttitle of my past research during pursuing my bachelor degree. At the end of the day, this has driven me to learn deeper on how phytoremediation can take place as one of the approaches in "a friendly" environmental management.

1. CADMIUM TOXICITY ON ROOT GROWTH OF WATER HYACINTH
[Eichornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms]
Iriawati & Rina Fitriana
School of Life Sciences and Technology, Bandung Institute of Technology
Jl Ganesa 10, Bandung - INDONESIA
ABSTRACT
Cadmium (Cd) is a phytotoxic non-essensial heavy metal. It can inhibit growth
or even caused cell death. One of the potential plants to accumulate Cd in
phytoremediation is water hyacinth. This study observed the effect of Cd on root
growth of water hyacinth. Experiments were carried out with water hyacinth, sampled
from Cikole Village, Bandung – West Java. Water hyacinth were washed and cultured
in the basket containing 5 L tap water. After 3 weeks acclimatization, those plants
were treated with either 0.25 ppm; 0.50 ppm; 0.75 ppm or 1.00 ppm CdCl2 for 12
days. Assays and analysis were taken in four days intervals on Cd content on root, and
radial – sectioned roots. Quantitative analysis of sectioned roots was conducted on
hypodermal cell layers number, hypodermal and cortical thickness, root and stele
diameter, as well as cortical cell layers number. The results showed that root could
absorb and accumulate Cd. As many as 1088,466 mg Cd/kg dry weight was found in
root of 1.00 ppm treated plant after 12 days of culture. However, cadmium toxicity in
root was also observed in this 1.00 ppm treated plants. It was indicated by the
reduction of hypodermal cell layers number and thickness, cortical cell layers number
and Cd accumulation rate on root. Lower concentration of Cd used did not
significantly affect root growth. As conclusion, water hyacinth can tolerate cadmium
up to 0.75 ppm of CdCl2 and cadmium toxicity symptom in root was detected after
water hyacinth exposed to 1.00 ppm.