Salvinia natans ― as the scavenger of Hg (II)

The plant, Salvinia natans L., was found effective in the removal of Hg(II) from wastewater. Maximum accumulation was noted within a day and maximum removal (about 90%) was recorded below 5 ppm of Hg(II). Accumulation of the metal occurred mainly in the roots. The senescence of the plant started at and above 5 ppm of Hg(II). The biochemical constituents like chlorophyll, Hill-activity, Protein, RNA, dry weight, and activities of catalase and protease decreased while free amino acid content, peroxidase activity and the radio of acid to alkaline pyrophosphatase activity increased over control values at and above 5 ppm of Hg(II).