Arsenic species uptake and translocation in Elodea canadensis

Abstract

The capacity of Elodea canadensis to phytofiltrate arsenic species from water was evaluated. Plants were adapted to tap water and supplemented with 15 and 250 µg L−1 of As. Inorganic arsenic species (As III, As V), and organic arsenic compounds: monomethylarsonate (MMA) and dimethylarsinate (DMA) were analyzed. Sampling was carried out at different times after exposure in culture water and plant organs. Plants exposed to 15 µg L−1 of As concentration showed no significant difference on As concentration (95% confidence level) in their organs compared to controls. When plants were exposed to 250 µg L−1 of As concentration, a significant increase of As concentration in plant organs was observed. After 1 h exposure, plants reduce 63.16% the As concentration in the culture water, with a bioaccumulation factor (BF) of 4.3. Under these conditions, E. canadensis accumulate As V in roots and do not translocate it to stems (transfer factor <1). MMA was determined in stems and leaves. E. canadensis effectively phytofiltrate As from tap water of a city located in an arsenic endemic area from concentrations of 36 µg L−1 to undetectable levels (10 ng L−1).