The current study was conducted to determine the effect of crude oil on the pigments and protein content of Hydrilla verticillata plant from December 2018 to February 2019. Hydrilla verticillata was exposed to different concentrations of treatments (0.01,0.05,0.10,0.20) % of crude oil for 24 days. The pigments content was evaluated as total chlorophyll, a, b, carotene and protein content within plant tissues during the days (1, 8, 16 and 24).
The results of this study showed an increment in the total chlorophyll values of plant, which is exposed to different concentrations of crude oil compared to the control treatment during the first day of the experiment and decreased compared to control treatment during 8,16 and 24 days of the experiment. The recorded maximum value of total chlorophyll was (29.49) μg / g at 0.10% treatment during the first day and the statistical analysis showed significant differences below the probability level (P> 0.05) between the concentrations and the days of the experiment. Chlorophyll a, b and carotene of plant exhibit the overall trend of total chlorophyll. The values of chlorophyll b were higher than the values of chlorophyll and carotene.
The current study showed a gradual decrease in the total protein values of plants in crude oil during experiential period compared to control treatment, recording the highest values at the 0.01% during the first day (29.4 mg/g) and the lowest in the concentration of 0.05% during the day 24 was (3.5) mg / g, and the statistical analysis showed significant differences below the probability level (P> 0.05) between the days and concentrations of the experiment. The study concluded that a gradual decrease of total chlorophyll values during period experimental, recorded the chlorophyll b values higher compare to chlorophyll a and carotene. the gradual decrease of protein values with the increasing the concentration.
