RESEARCH PLAN

TITLE: Identification of Heavy Metal Content Accumulated by Tomato (Solanum

lycopersicum), Petchay (Brassica rapa subsp.chinesis) and Mustasa (Brassica juncea) seeds
planted on water hyacinth (Eichharnia crassipes (Mart.) Solms) Stem as an Alternative
Nursery Growing Medium Using UV Spectrophotometer

RATIONALE

The soil sustains plants’ growth because it has water and air which are the basic needs of
plants to grow healthy. Plants uptake contaminants mainly in the root. The root system provides
a surface area for the absorption of water and accumulation of nutrients essential for the growth.
However, plants may also accumulate non-essential contaminants such as heavy metals. On the
other hand, water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is an invasive aquatic free‐floating vascular
plant it has been described as one of the most disturbing weeds in the world because of its rapid
growth that leads to several serious problems. (Punitha et.al. 2015) Because of its large quantity
it clogs water pathways and affect aquatic biodiversity, and blocks the rivers and canals that
causes flood, it can be a hindrance when fishing because the fish net ties up in the water hyacinth
stem or roots, and it suffocates an aquatic organism by removing the oxygen out of the water if it
totally covered the surface of water and left uncontrolled. Hence, the researchers will present
water hyacinth as an alternative nursery growing medium for different kinds of vegetables. And
identify the accumulation of heavy metal from the water hyacinth medium from the soil medium
and if the vegetable planted in the water hyacinth medium are edible. This will help everyone
and the environment to solve the problem cause by the rapid growth of water hyacinth by
reducing and using it as a material to grow a plant.
OBJECTIVE

This study will aim to identify if the vegetables that will be planted on water hyacinth
will accumulate heavy metals from the water hyacinth the usually found in Pasig River.
Specifically, this study will also aim to:

1. Determine the concentration of heavy metals accumulated by the vegetables on the water
hyacinth using spectrophotometer.

2. To compare the heavy metal content and growth rate of water hyacinth stem and soil
medium.

3. To determine if the vegetables implanted in water hyacinth stem are edible.

RESEARCH QUESTION

1. Will the sample vegatables will accumulate some heavy metals from?
a. Water Hyacinth Medium?
b. Soil ?
2. How much heavy metals the vegetables accumulate from
a.Water hyacinth?
b.Soil ?
3. Are there any identified heavy metals acquired by the vegetables using a
spectrophotometer?
4. Is there is a significant difference from the water hyacinth and soil in terms of in the
accumulation of heavy metals?
5. Is the vegetable is edible?
HYPOTHESIS

1. There is significant difference in the accumulation of heavy metal from the water
hyacinth medium from the soil medium.

2. The vegetable planted in the water hyacinth medium is edible.

3. The heavy metals have a significant effect to the body.

SCOPE AND LIMITATION:

This study focused in determining the amount of heavy metals accumulated on the water
hyacinth with the comparison to the plants in soil. This study was not including the
determination of other variables that accumulated by plants like microorganism. Then, the
researcher collection of water hyacinth is limited only in one part of Pasig river which is in Brgy.
Maybunga, Pasig City.

METHODOLOGY

Water hyacinth (Eichhorniacrassipes) a potential alternative nursery growing medium for

different vegetables will be test by planting different vegetables on its stem and comparing it to
natural way of nursery which is in regular soil. Each set-up is triplicated and will be treated with
different solution which is Distilled water, and Rice washing solution. Once planted the
researchers will observe its growth and test it using a spectrophotometer and record its data to
see if there is a significant difference in accumulation of heavy metal on vegetables in both water
hyacinth and soil medium. (a) gathering of data of plant in water hyacinth stem in different
solutions (b) gathering of data of plant in soil in different solutions (c) identify the heavy metal
in water hyacinth (d) identify the content of heavy metal in vegetables (e) analysis result found in
spectrophotometer.
EXPECTED OUTCOME

The vegetables that is planted in the water hyacinth medium will have a significant
difference in the accumulation of heavy metal from the vegetable planted in the soil medium.
The vegetables that will be planted on water hyacinth will accumulate some heavy metals from
the Water hyacinth usually found in Pasig River will identify using spectrophotometer.

RISK ASSESSMENT

In doing research there might be possible risks that could be encountered like: in
collecting water hyacinth in Pasig River the researcher should wear a gloves and mask and,
because the water may be contaminated or intoxicated where water hyacinth can be found. The
area itself the place may be slippery which may cause probable accidents. Water hyacinth and
the vegetables that are being planted will be cultivated immediately in response to its risk of
dying stem and vegetables due to the change in its environment. The samples will undergo in
pulverizing process and the possible chemicals that will be used by the researchers will be
disposed through neutralization and hazardous waste treatment then place in a specific area to
avoid future risks to the people and environment.

DATA ANALYSIS

The data of this research will be collected using the different set ups and vegetables that
are being planted on the soil and water hyacinth stem. The observation will be recorded and will
be analyzed using the spectrophotometer apparatus to know the contamination of chemical in the
vegetable planted on water hyacinth stem.