Water hyacinth: Potential and Threat

Abstract

Water hyacinth in scientific name is known as Eichhornia crassipes. As an aquatic pest plant, water hyacinth are growing inwater flow, rivers and lakes. Water hyacinth can spread rapidly from the normal size to two times in a few weeks to configure a mat on water surface. The presence of water hyacinth reduced the oxygen amount and nutrient around the area where water hyacinth are growing. Furthermore, the water flow and water traffic will be blocked by water hyacinth. However, water hyacinth not only a problematic plant but also a rich plant due to valuable chemicals such as lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose inside. These chemicals contribute to the utilization of water hyacinth as a biofuel. In addition, the performance of water hyacinth as absorber of various heavy metals has been proved. Objective of this paper is to comprehensive review on potential and threat of water hyacinth in environment.