Philippine E-Journals

The Extent of Assimilation of Heavy Ions by Ipomoea Aquatica (Kangkong)

Luzvisminda U. Rivero

Discipline: Natural Sciences

 

Abstract:

Kangkong has been recommended as an ideal low cost leafy vegetable in the Philippines because it is a source of minerals. Analysis has shown that the leaves and the stems contain mineral ions such as K+, Ca ++, Mg ++ among others, which are needed by the human body. Its availability almost everywhere and anytime adds to its importance. This lowly plant can grow either in water (mostly in swampy places) or on land. The presence of mineral ions in the leaves and stems of the plant shows that kangkong is capable of assimilating the ions present in the medium where it is growing. Since kangkong grows almost everywhere, especially in still waters, swamps, in fishponds and places where wastewater from industry and households flows, there is the possibility that other ions which might be harmful to man can be assimilated too, especially when such ions are contained in the waters where the plant grows. This study intends to investigate the extent to which kangkong assimilates ions of heavy metals which have harmful effects on man. It will concentrate on metal ions which are present in industrial wastes.