Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Household Detergents Causing Eutrophication in Freshwater Ecosystems

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Eutrophication: Causes, Consequences and Control

Abstract

In the present study, the impact of some selected household detergents has been studied on the growth behavior and development of two freshwater duckweeds, namely Lemna minor and Spirodela polyrrhiza. The growth responses of these selected free-floating duckweeds to varying concentrations of “Surf Excel” (the most commonly used detergent) have been studied with special reference to varying temperature and pH. There were three predominant types of growth pattern of both the selected duckweeds treated with 36 selected detergents. Some of the detergents increased the growth of the two duckweeds in almost logarithmic progression showing increase in growth with increasing concentration (10–50 ppm). A few detergents increased growth of both the selected duckweeds to a certain level of detergent concentration and then the growth became stationary with further increase in detergent concentration. In the third type of response, the duckweed growth initially increased in response to a certain level of detergent concentration and declined at higher detergent concentration. It was inferred from the observations that detergents play important role in promoting the growth of duckweeds. Out of 36 detergents studied, certain detergents effectively promoted the growth of duckweeds even in low concentration. Certain brands of detergents resulted in consistent increase in the growth with increasing concentration. The temperature effectively modified the duckweed response to the detergent. The cooler water medium had lesser degree of eutrophication than the moderately warm water medium. Not the phosphorus content alone, but the water quality (turbidity, pH, nutrient concentration, and dissolved oxygen) modified by the detergent aggravated the problem of eutrophication. Therefore, the water bodies receiving acids from any source in addition to detergent are more likely to show a greater degree of eutrophication than a body receiving detergent without acids.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Ansari AA, Khan FA (2002) Nutritional status and quality of water of a waste water pond in Aligarh showing blooms of Spirodelapolyrrhiza (L.) Shleid. J Ecophysiol Occup Health 2:185–189

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ansari AA (2005) Studies on the role of selected household detergents in the eutrophication of freshwater ecosystem. PhD thesis, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh

    Google Scholar 

  • Ansari AA, Khan FA (2006a) Studies on the role of some selected nutrient sources in the eutrophication of freshwater ecosystem. Natu Env Poll Technol 5:47–52

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ansari AA, Khan FA (2006b) Growth responses of Spirodelapolyrrhiza treated with a common detergent at varying temperature and pH conditions. Natu Env Poll Technol 5:399–404

    Google Scholar 

  • Ansari AA, Khan FA (2007) Eutrophication studies on some freshwater ponds of Aligarh. Ind J Appl Pure Biol 22:21–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Ansari AA, Khan FA (2008) Remediation of eutrophied water using Lemna minor in controlled Environment. Afric Jour Aqua Sci 33:275–278

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ansari AA, Khan FA (2009a) Eutrophication studies on Jeffery canal of Aligarh International Conference on Emerging Technologies in Environmental Science and Engineering. International Conference, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India, pp 845–849

    Google Scholar 

  • Ansari AA, Khan FA (2009b) Remediation of eutrophied water using Spirodelapolyrrhiza (L.) Shleid in controlled environment. Pan-Americ J Aqua Sci 4:52–54

    Google Scholar 

  • Ansari AA, Gill SS, Lanza GR, Rast W et al (2011a) Eutrophication: causes, consequences and control. Springer, The Netherlands p 394

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Ansari AA, Gill SS, Khan FA et al (2011b) Eutrophication: threat to aquatic ecosystems. In: Ansari AA, Gill SS, Lanza GR, Rast W (eds) Eutrophication: causes, consequences and control. Springer, The Netherlands, pp 143–170

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Ansari AA, Khan FA, Gill SS, Varshney J et al (2011c) Aquatic plant diversity in eutrophic ecosystems. In: Ansari AA, Gill SS, Lanza GR, Rast W (eds) Eutrophication: causes, consequences and control. Springer, The Netherlands, pp 247–263

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Ansari AA, Khan FA (2011d) Nutrients phytoremediation of eutrophic waters using Eichhorniacrassipes in a controlled environment. Int J Environ Sci 2:241–246

    Google Scholar 

  • Arnon DI (1951) Copper enzymes in isolated chlorophyll polyphenyloxidase in Beta vulgaris. Plant Physiol 24:1–15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aziz A, Mobina NK (1999) Growth and morphology of S. polyrrhiza and S. punctata as affected by some environmental factors. Bangl J Bot 28:133–138

    Google Scholar 

  • Böcher M, Fischer E, Ullrich-Eberius CI, Novacky A et al (1980) Effect of fusicoccin on the membrane potential, on the uptake of glucose and glycine, and on the ATP level in Lemnagibba G.1. Plant Sci Lett 18:215–200

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng J, Landesman L, Bergmann BA, Classen JJ, Howard JW, Yamamoto YT et al (2002) Nutrient removal from swine lagoon liquid by Lemna minor 8627. Transact ASAE 45:1003–1010

    Google Scholar 

  • Cho KS, Kim BC, Heo WM, Kim DS et al (1991) Eutrophication of the major reservoirs in Korea Rep. Suwa Hydrobiol 7:21–29

    Google Scholar 

  • Devlin RM, Witham (1986) Plant physiology, 4th edn. CBS Publishers and Distribution, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  • Dospekhov BA (1984) Field experimentation. Mir Publications, Moscow

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards P (1985) Aquaculture: a component of low cost sanitation technology-integrates resource recovery. World Bank Technical Paper 36. Washington DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards P (1992) Reuse of human waste in aquaculture: a technical review. UNDP- World Bank water and sanitation programme. The World Bank Papar Washington DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischer E, Lüttge U (1980) Membrane potential changes related to active transport of glycine in Lemnagibba G1. Plant Physiol 65:1004–1008

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fiske CH, Subbarow Y (1925) The calorimetric determination of phosphorus. J Biolog Chem 66:375–400

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ghosh C, Frijns J, Ghosh G, Lettinga G et al (1995) Water recycling through duckweed (Lemna minor) culture during post-summer months in European Climate. Ind J Environ Prot 15:677–684

    Google Scholar 

  • Giese AC (1979) Cell Physiology, 5th edn. Toppan Company Ltd., Tokyo

    Google Scholar 

  • Hillman WC (1961) The Lemnaceae of duckweed. A review of descriptive and experimental literature. Bot Rev 27:221–287

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jaiswal VS, Srivastava A (1987) Modifying effect of EDTA on toxicity and accumulation of cadmium by Spirodela polyrrhiza L. SP20. In: Sharma MR, Gupta GK (eds) Recent advances in plant sciences. Dehradun, pp. 213–222

    Google Scholar 

  • Jung KD, Lüttge U (1980) Amino acid uptake by Lemnagibba by a mechanism with affinity to neutral L- and D-amino acids. Planta 150:230–235

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khan FA, Ansari AA (2005) Eutrophication: an ecological vision. Bot Rev 71:449–482

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khitoliya RK (2004) Environmental pollution, management and control for sustainable development. S. Chand and Company Ltd., New Delhi, p 56

    Google Scholar 

  • Kormondy EJ (1994) Concepts of ecology. Prentice Hall of India Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  • Korner S, Vermaat JE, Veenstra S et al (2003) The capacity of duckweed to treat waste water: ecological considerations for a sound design. J Environ Qual 32:1583–1590

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kulshrestha SK, Saxena R, George MP, Srivastava M, Tiwari A et al (1989) Phytoplankton of eutrophic Mansorovar reservoir of Bhopal. Int J Ecol Environ Sci 15:205–215

    Google Scholar 

  • Kwang-Guk Park S, Ahn KH, Urchin CG (2003) Dynamics of nitrogen, phosphorus, algal biomass, and suspended solids in an artificial lentic ecosystem and significant implications of regional hydrology on trophic status. J Environl Biol 24:29–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Lande A (1973) Byglandsfjorden. Primary production and other limnological features in an oligotrophic Norwegian lake. Hydrobiologia 41:335–344

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Landolt E (1986) Biosystematic investigations in the family of duckweeds (Lemnaceae). Veroff Geobot Inst ETH Zurich 1:61–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Lau S, Lane SN (2002a) Biological and chemical factors influencing shallow lake eutrophication: a long-term study. Sci Total Env 3:167–181

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lau SSS, Lane SN (2002b) Nutrient and grazing factors in relation to phytoplankton level in a eutrophic shallow lake: the effect of low macrophyte abundance. Water Res Oxford 36:3593–3601

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lindner RC (1944) Rapid analytical methods for some of the more inorganic constituents of plant tissues. Plant Physiol 19:76–89

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Löppert H (1979) Evidence for electrogenic proton extrusion by subepidermal cells of Lemnapaucicostata 6746. Planta 144:311–315

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lüttge U, Jung KD, Ullrich-Eberius CI et al (1981) Evidence for amino acid-H+co transport in Lemnagibba given by effects of fusicoccin. Z Pflanzenphysiol 102:117–125

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mahadevan A, Sridhar R (1986) Hoagland solution. In: Methods in Physiological Plant Pathology, 3rd edn. Sivakami Publications, Madras

    Google Scholar 

  • Misra SD, Bhargava SC, Bohra OP et al (1975) Diurnal variation in physico-chemical factors at Padmasagar reservoir during pre-monsoon period of the year 1974. Geobios 2:32–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Neilson SL, Sand-Jensen K, Borum J, Geertz-Hansen O et al (2002) Phytoplankton, nutrients and transparency in Danish coastal waters. Estuaries 25:930–937

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Novacky A, Fischer E, Ullrich-Eberius CI, Lüttge U, Ullrich WR et al (1978a) Membrane potential changes during transport of glycine as a neutral amino acid and nitrate in Lemnagibba G1. FEBS Lett 88:264–267

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Novacky A, Ullrich-EberiusCI, Lüttge U (1978b) Membrane potential changes during transport of hexoses in Lemnagibba G1. Planta 138:263–270

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pandey BP (1997) Taxonomy of Angiosperms. S.Chand and Company, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  • Rao CS (1998) Environmental pollution control engineering. New Age International (P) Ltd., New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  • Riis T, Sand JK (1998) Development of vegetation and environmental conditions in an oligotrophic Danish lake over 40 years. Freshwater Biol 40:123–134

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saad MAH (1973) Some limnological characteristics of the Nozh a Hydradrome, near Alexandria, Egypt. Hydrobiologia 41:477–500

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schindler DW (1971) Light, temperature and oxygen regimes of selected lakes in the experimental lakes area, North-Western Ontario. J Fish Res Bd Canada 28:157–169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shen-Dong Sheng DS, Shen DS (2002) Study on limiting factors of water eutrophication of the network of rivers in plain. J Zhejiang Univ Agricul Life Sci 28:94–97

    Google Scholar 

  • Srivastava A, Jaiswal VS (1989) Cadmium uptake by Spirodela polyrrhiza L. SP20. Geobios16:237–240

    Google Scholar 

  • Thornton FC, Schaedle M, Raynal DJ, Zipperer C et al (1986) Effects of aluminum on honeylocust (Gleditsiatriacanthas L.) seedlings in solution culture. J Exp Bot 37:775–785

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Treshow M (1970) Environment and plant response. McGraw-Hill Book Company

    Google Scholar 

  • Trivedi RK, Goel PK, Trisal CL et al (1987) Practical methods in ecology and environmental science. Enviro Media Publication, Karad (India)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tsirtsis G, Karydis M (1997) Aquatic microcosms: a methodological approach for the quantification of eutrophication processes. Environ Monit Asses 48:193–215

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ullrich-Eberius CI, Novacky A, Lüttge U et al (1978) Active hexose uptake in Lemnagibba G1. Planta 139:149–153

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ullrich-Eberius CI, Novacky A, Fischer E, Lüttge U et al (1981) Relationship between energy dependent phosphate uptake and the electrical membrane potential in Lemnagibba G1. Plant Physiol 67:797–801

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Van Dam H, Mertens A (1993) Diatoms on herbarium macrophytes as indicators for water quality. Hydrobiologia 269–270:437–445

    Google Scholar 

  • Welch FB, Crook GD (1987) Lakes. In: Jordon WR, Gilpin ME, Aber JD (eds.). Restoration Ecology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, London, pp 109–129

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    Abid A. Ansari

  2. Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, 202002, Aligarh, India

    Fareed A. Khan

Authors
  1. Abid A. Ansari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Fareed A. Khan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Fareed A. Khan .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia

    Abid A. Ansari

  2. Stress Physiology & Molecular Biology, Maharshi Dayanand University Centre for Biotechnology, Rohtak, Haryana, India

    Sarvajeet Singh Gill

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Ansari, A., Khan, F. (2014). Household Detergents Causing Eutrophication in Freshwater Ecosystems. In: Ansari, A., Gill, S. (eds) Eutrophication: Causes, Consequences and Control. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7814-6_12

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation