IOSR Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences (IOSR-JPBS) e-ISSN: 2278-3008, p-ISSN:2319-7676. Volume 10, Issue 1 Ver. II (Jan -Feb. 2015), PP 43-46 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/3008-10124346 www.iosrjournals.org 43 | Page The Use Of Ecchornia crassipes To Remove Some Heavy Metals From Romi Stream: A Case Study Of Kaduna Refinery And Petrochemical Company Polluted Stream. Ugya A.Y. 1 , Imam T.S. 1 and Hassan A.S. 2 1 Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, Bayero University Kano, Kano State. Nigeria. 2 Faculty of Science, Department of Biological Sciences, Kaduna State University, Kaduna State. Nigeria Corresponding Author Email: ugya88@yahoo.com +2347039496546 Abstract: The study involved a laboratory experiment on the use of Ecchornia crassipes in the removal of some heavy metals from a stream polluted by waste water from Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company. Water sample was collected from Kaduna Refinery effluent point, Romi up and Romi down. The Bioconcentration (BCF) and Biotranslocation (BTF) Factors of each metal were determined. The experinmental study showed that Ecchornia crassipes is a suitable candidate for effective removal of heavy metals (Hg, Cd, Mn, Ag, Pb, Zn) from Romi stream. Keywords: Heavy metals, Romi Stream, phytoremediation, Echhornia crassipes. I. Introduction The world’s ever increasing population and her progressive adoption of an industrial- based lifestyle has inevitably led to an increased anthropogenic impact on the biosphere (Asamudo et al., 2005). Since the beginning of the industrial revolution, water pollution by toxic metals has accelerated dramatically. According to Nriagu (1996) about 90% of the anthropogenic emissions of heavy metals have occurred since 1900 AD; it is now well recognized that human activities lead to a substantial accumulation of heavy metals in water on a global scale. Man’s exposure to heavy metals comes from industrial activities like mining, smelting, refining and manufacturing processes (Nriagu, 1996). A number of chemicals, heavy metals and other industries in the coastal areas have resulted in significant discharge of industrial effluents into the coastal water bodies. These toxic substances are released into the environment and contribute to a variety of toxic effects on living organisms in food chain (Dembitsky, 2003) by bioaccumulation and biomagnification. Heavy metals, such as cadmium, copper, lead; chromium, zinc, and nickel are important environmental pollutants, particularly in areas with high anthropogenic pressure (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 1997). Water bodies has been traditionally the site for disposal for most of the heavy metal wastes which needs to be treated (Bio-Wise, 2003; Aboulroos et al., 2006). In refining of refinery products opportunities exist for the release of other pollutants such as oil and grease, phenol, sulphate, suspended solids, dissolved solids, nitrates, e.t.c (Asamudo et al., 2005; Nayyef and Amal, 2012; Ji et al., 2007; Patel and Kanungo, 2010) in to the ecosystem. These pollutants are produce in an effort to improve human standard of living but ironically their unplanned intrusion into the environment can reverse the same standard of living by impacting negatively on the environment (Asamudo et al., 2005; Subhashini et al., 2013; Xiaomei et al.,2004). Refinery effluents can seep into aquifers and pollutes the underground water or where it is discharge without proper treatment into water bodies, the pollutants cannot be confined within specific boundries (Nayyef and Amal, 2012; Asamudo et al., 2005). They can therefore affect aquatic lifes in enormous ways. Metallic effluents can have ecological impact on water bodies leading to increased nutrient load especially if they are essential metals. These metals in effluent may increase fertility of water leading to euthrophication, which in open water can progressively lead to oxygen deficiency, algae blooms and death of aquatic life (Pickering and Owen, 1997). Heavy metals can bioaccumulate and through the food chain, to toxic level in man. Mercury can cause numbness, locomotory disorder, brain damage, convulsion and nervous problems. Cadmium is responsible for kidney tubular impairment and osteomalacia. Cadmium, zinc and manganese are reported to affect ion balance if present in sufficient amount (Xiaomeil et al.,). This study was designed to assess the efficiency of Ecchornia crassipes in the removal of heavy metals from Romi Stream since Kaduna refinery and petrochemical company discharge it waste water directly into the stream.