Phytoremediation potential and ecophysiological features of water hyacinth Eichornia crassipes: a case study from Orontes River, Türkiye

The pollution of freshwater resources has become a critical global issue due to intensive and unregulated agricultural practices, rapid urbanization, and industrial expansion along waterways. Phytoremediation, which involves using aquatic macrophytes to remove contaminants from water, is recognized as an environmentally sustainable and cost-effective remediation strategy. This study investigates the phytoremediation capacity of Eichhornia crassipes in reducing heavy metal contamination in the transboundary Orontes (Asi) River within Türkiye’s borders. The Asi River, spanning 571 km from Lebanon through Syria to the Mediterranean Sea in Hatay, Türkiye, is severely affected by heavy metal pollution, primarily due to agricultural activities. The study assessed the bioaccumulation potential of E. crassipes, which grows abundantly in the river, focusing on metal accumulation in its petioles. The concentrations of cadmium, cobalt, chromium, and lead in petioles were quantified at 6.69, 23.50, 29.77, and 65.25 mg kg⁻¹, respectively, while the maximum concentrations of these metals in the aquatic habitat were 76.57, 303.26, 693.58, and 106.19 µg L⁻¹, respectively. The effectiveness of phytoremediation can be further enhanced through genetic modification, microbial stimulation, and chemical or natural amendments. These findings illustrate the significant potential of E. crassipes for heavy metal remediation in natural water bodies, contributing to ecosystem conservation, species sustainability, and biodiversity protection.