CHAPTER TWO

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

Delete this after reading. Write based on your assigned theme on the RRL Matrix, refer to the 4

studies you included in the Matrix, and pahabaan mo, and please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE OR

COPY-PASTE

Impact of Azolla pinnata in Aquatic Life

A distinct characteristic of Azolla in general is its ability to grow at a high rate, this is

mainly due to its natural ability to invade certain bodies of water even with little presence of

nitrogen which is essential in the survivability of plants. This high level of invasiveness present

in all species of Azolla can have several implications and lasting effects in the biodiversity of

several aquatic species that live along with the presence of the macrophyte. In a distinct literature

created by the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI, 2019), it shows

various compiled data wherein they discussed the basic information about Azolla filiculoides, a

different species of Azolla that is present in all parts in the world and considered as the most

researched species of Azolla in terms of the Azolla-Anabaena relationship, it also contains

information such as its invasive and growth characteristics while growing in water, its biological

impact and its effects on other aquatic life living with A. filiculoides. The literature also

discussed the invasive behavior of A. filiculoides and on how it affected certain species living in

an aquatic ecosystem. Furthermore, A. filiculoides when it invades a particular body of water

creates an anaerobic environment in which reduces the quality of water thus making survival of

other orgnisms present in the water impossible. Various claims have been made wherein farmers

have lost animals due to them refusing to drink the water in which A. filiculoides has infested,
the animals also drowned as a result of mistaking the A. filiculoides biomass as hard ground, the

roots of A. filiculoides have been known to promote water-related diseases. A. filiculoides can

also impact biodiversity, such infestations have been known to create negative results that can

alter biodiversity, one example is the extinction of a certain population of Eastern Cape Rocky in

South Africa. Several suggestions were also included in the literature in order to prevent A.

filiculoides biomass from infesting the total surface area of a specific body of water. The

implementation of certain control measures was mentioned and enumerated such as Mechanical

control, Chemical control, Biological Control, and Integrated control.

Chemicals that Azolla can Accumulate

The impact A. pinnata can create towards aquatic life is of the same level when it

involves certain chemicals and contaminants that are present both in soil and on different kinds

of wastewater, however, the results are beneficial by both the macrophyte and the different kinds

of living things that are either present or benefit the soil or in various bodies of water. As seen on

numerous studies since the later parts of 20th century, varied species of Azolla are capable of

absorbing, extracting, and accumulating different variations of chemicals and contaminants both

present in soil and on water. In a particular local study conducted by Acero (2019), the

researcher conducted phytoremediation experiments of A. pinnata along with Eichhornia

crassipes (Water Hyacinth) in a selected body of water, specifically in Estero de San Miguel,

Mendiola Manila, Philippines. Problems such as wastewater treatment and removal of pollutants

in the water are still major concerns especially in the Philippines. The study was conducted to

determine the effectiveness of phytoremediation in a Philippine setting, wherein it is economical,

low cost, and involves low maintenance, thus can potentially help minimize the cost of water
treatment operations especially if the country is still developing generally. The results revealed

that the experimental ponds with A. pinnata had increased the pH from 6.9 to 7.36 which is

nearest to neutral, potential hydrogen rises with photosynthetic activities of A. pinnata.

Furthermore, the result implies that a combination of A. pinnata and E. crassipes in wastewaters

significantly lowered the Phosphorous level of wastewaters. Additionally, the results of the

experiment revealed that the experimental ponds with A. pinnata had lowered the ammonia

concentration from 8 to 5.03. This means that A. pinnata can lower the ammonia present in

wastewaters from Estero de San Miguel much faster than E. crassipes and the combination of E.

crassipes and A. pinnata. Lastly, it has been noted and observed that A. pinnata can grow well in

effluents from wastewater stabilization ponds despite the high ammonium content of the

medium. After numerous experiments, the researcher recommends a similar study but within a

different setting. Instead of studying the phytoremediation effect of the two plants, an on-

pond/on-water study can be done to determine the growth response of the plants.

Furthermore, myriad studies have been known to further explore A. pinnata’s ability to

extract and absorb complex contaminants such as industrial dyes. To further expand the

discussion, a distinct study conducted by Al-Baldawi et al. (2018), investigated the potential

ability of A. pinnata to phytotransform a specific dye (Methylene blue) from water. This

industrial dye is mostly found in effluents from industries such as food processing and in nearby

industrial factories that are discharged in nearby bodies of water. During the data collection

procedure of the study, glass containers were prepared, along with two replicates for each

concentration, as well as dye concentrated water. A spectrometer was used to analyze the dye

content. Each dye concentrated water was exposed to 3 grams of A. pinnata. The environment on

where the experiment was held and being observed was maintained in laboratory conditions in
order to avoid interference with various parameters that are essential to the study. The

researchers mostly relied on time series analysis in comparing and recording the data on a course

of 5 days. It was concluded in the study that A. pinnata can be used in phytoremediating water

that contains methylene blue dyes with results confirming that it is a considerable potential of the

plant for phytotransformation with an efficacy rate of 85%. The performance of the plant was

verified successfully after observing it at an hourly rate. Moreover, the study gave a new

perspective in terms of giving a new and novel approach in bioremediation specifically to treat

specific dyes from wastewater. Furthermore, the study shows that plants can have the ability to

transform or to phytotransform a wide range of dye compounds. This result shows that there is a

significant potential or possibility of A. pinnata in phytoremediating liquid substances with

methylene blue dye or distinct types of industrial dyes.

Other advantages of Azolla

Although the physical properties of Azolla is considered by many as small in nature, it is

also known to have other properties in which makes it a multifaceted resource that is capable of

maintaining a suitable ecosystem. In an overall review conducted by Kollah et al. (2016),

multiple studies revealed that Azolla is used as a low-cost biofertilizer for a wide variety of

different groups of crops in which include taro, soybean, wheat, and rice. in which can improve

sustainability. Furthermore, several studies included in the review also showed that Azolla can

be utilized in rice-based cropping system, increasing soil fertility thus increasing rice yield.

Furthermore, Azolla can also be planted either as a monocrop or intercrop. In the context of

monocropping, it is usually applicable before rice cultivation or in using land as a means to

source green manure, while intercropping refers to the common practice of planting Azolla along
with rice and can be continuously harvested whenever certain situations need it, thus it provides

an additional source of income to the farmers incorporating the macrophyte. Other uses of the

macrophyte in terms of rice production is it decreases water loss in rice fields, increases nutrient

status, and the maintenance of soil biodiversity in which is essential in the survivability of rice. It

was also included that Azolla can be a potential bioremediating agent in the removal of

hazardous pollutants through accumulation and bioabsorption. Although there are still limited

studies in the context of using Azolla in this specific field, several studies have made significant

findings to the potential of Azolla to able to extract or remove such hazards present in soil or in

water. Additionally, one experiment demonstrated a certain species of Azolla (A. filiculoides)

along with two other types of aquatic plants (Lemna minor and Pistia stratiotes) their

bioremediating properties when it comes to extracting an antimicrobial drug, the results from the

experiment later revealed that a higher percentage of the antimicrobial drug was removed by A.

filiculoides followed by L. minor and P. stratiotes. Moreover, a distinct species of Azolla (A.

pinnata) has shown promising results in the treatment of eutrophicated water systems, in which it

uses its roots for the extraction of certain pollutants and contaminants present in the water

system. It was also mentioned that A. rongpong can be also used in the cleaning of different

bodies of water as it is known to absorb a high concentration of acidic dyes from several

contaminated sites. Furthermore, it is also possible that Azolla can be used in removing

petroleum products, although a sample quickly died during the experiment it has been recorded

that diesel concentrations in the plant-added plots were less than half those of the control plot,

and concentrations of xylenes and ethylbenzene in which are present in certain petroleum

products were 50–100 times lower.

contribution in the decrease of temperature of Earth millions of years ago. In a recent literature

by Bujak & Bujak (2014), they discussed the recent findings of Azolla biomass beneath the

sediments of the Arctic ocean recently discovered by a joint European Arctic expedition in which

they drilled sediments for geological research. The presence of Azolla biomass in which existed

millions of years ago can lead to a possible explanation on why temperatures on Earth during the

prehistoric eras have dropped. The expedition recovered several sediment cores revealing

thousands of rich layers filled with organic compounds as well as preserved remains of ancient

Azolla biomass. Analysis of these cores later confirmed that the Arctic Azolla Event lasted for

approximately a million years which began in the Early Eocene and ending after the onset of the

Middle Eocene. Furthermore, later analysis and calculations about the amount of Azolla present

during the Arctic Azolla Event revealed that it had a significant impact in the Earth’s climate.

Billions of these plants during the time absorbed carbon dioxide directly into the atmosphere in

which they needed to grow, reproduce, and survive thus reducing the quantity of greenhouse

gases present in the atmosphere. Atmospheric carbon continued to fall for millions of years due

to change in sea currents and because of the sequestration of carbon dioxide by Azolla. The

expedition was successful in knowing that Azolla biomass has something to do with the drop of

carbon dioxide millions of years ago. However, they were unable to answer a specific question

as to why Azolla was able to grow so rapidly even though there is insufficient presence of

nitrogen in the Arctic Ocean during the time.

Phytoremediation is considered a cost-effective method in terms of being alternative in

the treatment of different types of wastewater and environmental contaminants. However, due to

the limitations and challenges of the technology itself in which are currently being identified and

assessed, numerous researchers currently involved in this field are suggesting to improve its

methods and use its ability as a tool for bioremediation and its subcategories in order to maintain

a suitable and stable economy. A review created by Yaqoob et al. (2019) focused on several

disadvantages in the advancement and development of existing phytoremediation technologies in

order for it to become a more suitable candidate for the removal and treatment of various types

of wastewater and in the treatment of soil. Certain limitations have been included in the review

including the varied efficiency when it comes to various species of plants in which is being used

in the extraction of various contaminants, this indication can lead to depending on the species of

plants that belong to the hyperaccumulator group (plants that are capable of phytoremediation),

in the interaction between different components or types of contaminants which may cause

various effects in the process of phytoremediation. Furthermore, several indications from past

studies show that in order to have accurate data the efficacy rate of different plants must be

assessed by different approaches in order to not disregard any possible or potential hazard that a

phytoremediation method might take into consideration when being tested. They also added that

plants have incomplete features when it comes to remediation, one example is plants that mostly

extract metals grow slowly than other plants. In connection to this, due to the vast number of

potential plants that have the ability to extract contaminants, deeper comprehension in each plant

species is a need of time. Moreover, there is a level of uncertainty in the efficacy of extracting

contaminants when using this technology solely. Lastly, related studies which involves field
work is hindered mainly because of the lack of understanding on complex plant behavior and

interactions. The researchers also discussed certain conditions that must be satisfied in order for

phytoremediation to be suggested as a viable method or technique, first is that time constraints

do not apply, second is the site of experimentation or water treatment must be of low value when

it comes to its economic worth, and an infrastructure should be present in order to safely dispose

the accumulated contaminants.

Azolla and its economic value

Insert here. Use in-text APA citation. (7th edition)