Q. With reference to Water Hyacinth, consider the following statements:
1.It grows slowly in aquatic environments.
2.It blocks sunlight and oxygen from reaching submerged plants.
3.It is helpful in bioremediation of wastewater by absorbing pollutants.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation –
Statement 1 is incorrect. Water hyacinth is known for its rapid growth and reproduction.
Statements 2 and 3 are correct. The fast spread of water hyacinth due to significant anthropogenic impacts the reception of sunlight and oxygen by other native underwater creatures, diminishing biodiversity. Water hyacinth is an aquatic plant that absorbs lead to supply nutrition for growth and reduces water pollution effectively since it absorbs lots of phosphorus and nitrogen from water contaminated with toxic waste materials. Benefits of Water Hyacinth: Water purification, Bioremediation, Biomass production, Erosion control, Habitat provision. Disadvantages of water hyacinth: Invasive nature, Ecological disruption (Reduce biodiversity by displacing native plants and animals, Block sunlight, Deplete oxygen levels in the water), Water flow obstruction, Increased water loss through evapotranspiration, Vector breeding.
Source: The Hindu
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