BIO-ACCUMULATION OF HEAVY METALS IN Bacopa Monnieri (L.) Pennell GROWING UNDER DIFFERENT HABITAT

Abstract

Bio-accumulation of heavy metals was analysed in the samples of naturally growing Bacopa monnieri plants collected from eight different places/habitats of Kerala State. The heavy metals / elements such as Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were present in considerable quantities which increased depending on the gravity of soil / water pollution due to geogenic and anthropogenic (industrial and pesticidal) effects. This bioaccumulation/phytoremediation property of Bacopa monnieri may lead to human health hazards because it is a widely used medicinal plant which grows profusely in wet lands flooded with industrial and sewage effluents.