Uptake of Ni, Zn, Fe, Co, Cr, Pb, Cu and Cd by water hyacinth (eichhornia crassipes) in mukuvisi and manyame rivers, Zimbabwe

Abstract
The levels of Ni, Zn, Fe, Co, Cr, Pb, Cu and Cd were determined in water hyacinth and water samples collected from Mukuvisi and Manyame rivers in Zimbabwe. Metal concentrations in the plants were much higher than in the water, and bioconcentration factors of 1 to 4 orders of magnitude were obtained depending on the element. In addition the levels of most elements studied were significantly higher in the roots than the tops of the plants.