CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION A. Background of the Study Water pollution has been considered as one of the primary destroyers of Earth’s environmental health. With the development of technology and industries, the bodies of water are left unclean. Few of the most alarming effects of water pollution are food contamination and disturbance in the food chain. Researchers have long been searching for answers for the elimination and prevention of water pollution, which will cost less than the usual and commercial methods used.

Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) is a halophyte. Hydrilla verticillata, a profusely occurring submergent specie, has been found to thrive well in highly polluted water (Sinha, et al. , 1993). In addition, the plant has shown promise in the removal of heavy metals (Gupta and Chandra, 1994).

One of the most common heavy metals is mercury. Mercury is a silvery-white poisonous heavy metal and is considered as one of the most dangerous metals. The entry of mercury in the food chain is one of the problems today because our bodies easily absorb mercury.The researchers aim to study the physical changes that will be brought about by mercury to Hydrilla plants. B. Statement of the Problem Main Problem: Can mercury cause physical changes to Hydrilla plants? Sub Problems: 1) What are the physical characteristics of Hydrilla plants exposed in water with no mercury in terms of: a) leaf color b) leaf texture ; and c) new leaves? 2) What are the physical changes of Hydrilla plants exposed in water with different concentrations of mercury in terms of: a) leaf color b) leaf texture ; and c) new leaves? C.

Objectives of the StudyThis study aims to 1) determine if mercury causes changes in the physical appearance of Hydrilla plants 2) compare the physical features of Hydrilla plants planted in water with no mercury and with the one containing mercury D. Hypotheses of the Study 1) Mercury cannot cause changes in the physical appearance of Hydrilla plants. 2) There will be no significant difference in the Hydrilla plants planted in water with no mercury and with the one containing mercury. 3) There will be no significant difference in the Hydrilla plants planted in water samples of different concentrations of mercury.E.

Significance of the Study The study aims to determine if mercury produces concentration-dependent physical changes to Hydrilla plants. If the research is proven true, future researchers can use the data and results as basis to support their study. In addition, it can be used to support the hypothesis that Hydrilla plants can be used as mercury-pollutant indicator. With that, environmentalists, household members and students can use the plant as an alternative method in detecting mercury pollution of the water bodies. F.

Scope and Limitations of the StudyThe study was limited to the use of the Hydrilla plants found in Iligan City and the use of tap water for the water samples. The researchers limited their study to the use of inorganic form of mercury, mercurous chloride. Furthermore, the study was limited to identifying the physical changes caused by mercury to Hydrilla plants and it excludes the potential of the plant to indicate how much mercury is present in the water samples and how much is absorbed by the plant. The researchers limited their study to the use of only one trial.

Factors like the physical appearance of the Hydrilla plants in terms of color, texture and number of new leaves growing was observed. Experiments were conducted at the researchers’ residence within 3 weeks. G. Definition of Terms |Leaf Color |It is the color of Hydrilla samples’ leaves.

| |Leaf Texture |It is the texture of the Hydrilla leaves when touched with the use of gloves. | |New Leaves |It is the number of leaves that grows aside from the original number of 20 leaves. | |Water Samples |It is a solution or pure water where Hydrilla plants are planted. |