Bioconcentration of Copper in Cyperus alternifolius L. (Umbrella Plant) in Butuanon River

Four sites along the Butuanon River were identified based on the presence of Cyperus alternifolius L. Composite samples of water, sediments and roots of C. alternifolius L. from each site were taken for two seasons and analyzed for copper by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (FAAS). For the dry season, copper in water, sediments and roots of C. alternifolius L. ranged from 0.007-0.016, 101.3-140.7 and 27.36 - 69.17 ppm respectively. For the wet season, copper in water, sediments and roots ranged from 0.011-0.033, 77.23-96.93 and 27.22-54.18 ppm. Pearson’s r between copper in the roots of C. alternifolius L. and water are 0.86 and 0.82 while for sediments are 0.83 and 0.86 respectively. Bioconcentration factor (BCF = Curoots /Cuwater ) during the dry and wet seasons ranged from 1750-9881 and 1441-2391 respectively. BCF relative to sediments ranged from 0.258-0.640 and 0.281-0.702 for dry and wet seasons, respectively. C. alternifolius L. has the capacity to accumulate certain amounts of copper in its roots to levels exceeding those amounts present in water but not in the sediment. C. alternifolius L. has the potential as indicator of copper pollution in the water and sediment.