Comparison of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), Nypa palm (Nypa fruticans) and Mangrove (Rhizophora spp.) Parts as Remediating Agents in Polluted Sites

Authors

  • Excel Jack

    Department of Biology and Biotechnology, School of Laboratory Science and Technology, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt P.M.B. 5323, Nigeria
  • Aroloye Numbere

    Department of Biology and Biotechnology, School of Laboratory Science and Technology, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt P.M.B. 5323, Nigeria

    Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt P.M.B. 5323, Nigeria
  • Keayiabarido Jude

    Department of Biology and Biotechnology, School of Laboratory Science and Technology, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt P.M.B. 5323, Nigeria
  • Sobomate Chuku

    Department of Biology and Biotechnology, School of Laboratory Science and Technology, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt P.M.B. 5323, Nigeria
  • Miracle Uzoma

    Department of Biology and Biotechnology, School of Laboratory Science and Technology, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt P.M.B. 5323, Nigeria
  • Emmanuel Bakpo

    Department of Biology and Biotechnology, School of Laboratory Science and Technology, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt P.M.B. 5323, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/re.v8i2.12589
Received: 28 October 2025 | Revised: 28 November 2025 | Accepted: 11 December 2025 | Published Online: 27 March 2026

Abstract

Environmental pollution from crude oil and heavy metals is a significant challenge, particularly in Nigeria's Niger Delta region. Phytoremediation presents a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to conventional cleanup techniques. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and mangrove parts as remediating agents in polluted soil. Soil samples from a contaminated site at Eagle Island, Rivers State, were treated with dried and ground parts of water hyacinth, mangrove (stem and seed), and Nypa palm (leaves and seed). The concentrations of heavy metals (Cadmium, Lead, Zinc) and Total Hydrocarbon (THC) were analyzed pre- and post-treatment. The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) showed no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) among the treatments. The result shows that, although there was no statistical significance, mangrove stems had lower chemical concentrations than Nypa palm and water hyacinth.  For instance, the total hydrocarbon concentration in mangroves was lower (12.11 mg/kg) than in Nypa palm (13.07 mg/kg) and water hyacinth (13.51 mg/kg).  Similarly, the concentration of THC in soil before the application of the plant parts was twenty-one times higher before (543.3 mg/kg) than after (26.15 mg/kg) the ground parts were added. This study concludes that mangrove parts are the most promising agents for the phytoremediation of crude oil-contaminated soils, offering an effective and environmentally friendly approach to site rehabilitation.

Keywords:

Phytoremediation; Crude Oil; Water Hyacinth; Eichhornia crassipes; Mangrove; Total Hydrocarbon (THC)

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How to Cite

Jack, E., Numbere, A., Jude, K., Chuku, S., Uzoma, M., & Bakpo, E. (2026). Comparison of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), Nypa palm (Nypa fruticans) and Mangrove (Rhizophora spp.) Parts as Remediating Agents in Polluted Sites. Research in Ecology, 8(2), 173–185. https://doi.org/10.30564/re.v8i2.12589

Issue

Vol.8, Iss.2 (April 2026)(in progress)

Article Type

Article (This article belongs to the Special Issue "Sustainability of Marine Environment and Ecosystems")

License

Copyright © 2026 Excel Jack, Aroloye Numbere, Keayiabarido Jude, Sobomate Chuku, Miracle Uzoma, Emmanuel Bakpo

Creative Commons License

This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.

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