Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
V. ULUSLARARASI TURAZ AKADEMİ KONGRESİ, Samarqand, Özbekistan, 11 - 13 Eylül 2025, ss.1, (Özet Bildiri)
Introduction
Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is a fast-growing aquatic plant known for its high absorption and accumulation capacity in surface waters. While often considered invasive in aquatic ecosystems, recent research has highlighted its potential as a bioindicator in environmental toxicology and ecological restoration. In this pioneering study, we explore the role of Eichhornia crassipes within the scope of environmental forensic toxicology.
The widespread use of pharmaceuticals, particularly psychoactive and neuroactive compounds, leads to their partial release into surface waters through wastewater systems. Monitoring the presence of such compounds not only in water samples but also in biological receptors within the ecosystem offers a novel dimension in forensic environmental approaches. Water hyacinth may serve as a living biological recorder for such monitoring purposes.
Methods
In this preliminary study, leaf and root tissues of water hyacinths were examined for the presence of various pharmaceutical residues by sampling in the region with permission from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Leaf and root tissues were harvested, extracted using optimized protocols (combining ultrasonic assistance and SPE), and analyzed using high-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). The findings revealed selective accumulation of certain compounds within the plant tissues, including traceable levels of known pharmaceutical metabolites. These results suggest that water hyacinth is not merely a passive filter, but a potential biological repository of environmental forensic evidence.
Results and Conclusion
This study represents the first forensic toxicology-based investigation of water hyacinth in Türkiye. The outcomes highlight the plant’s potential role in detecting environmental contaminants of pharmaceutical origin, especially in contexts where direct water sampling may be insufficient or delayed. As such, water hyacinth opens a new chapter in forensic sampling strategies, particularly for long-term environmental exposure assessments.