Role of Aquatic Macrophytes in Water Quality Improvement

Abstract

Water pollution is one of the major environmental challenges affecting freshwater ecosystems worldwide. Aquatic macrophytes, which include submerged, floating, and emergent aquatic plants, play a vital role in maintaining water quality through nutrient uptake, pollutant removal, and habitat enhancement. The present study evaluates the effectiveness of selected aquatic macrophytes in improving water quality parameters in freshwater systems. Common macrophytes such as Eichhornia crassipes, Lemna minor, and Typha latifolia were assessed for their capacity to reduce nutrient loads and organic pollutants. The findings indicate that aquatic macrophytes significantly improve water quality by reducing nitrate, phosphate, and biological oxygen demand while increasing dissolved oxygen levels. These results highlight the importance of aquatic vegetation in sustainable water resource management and ecological restoration.