Boron removal by the duckweed Lemna gibba: A potential method for the remediation of boron-polluted waters

Abstract

Boron (B) is often found in polluted and desalinated waters. Despite its potentially environmental damaging effects, efficient treatments are lacking. The duckweed Lemna gibba has been shown to remove toxic elements from water; however, its applicability to B removal is unknown. In this study, L. gibba was examined for its tolerance to B in water and its B removal efficiency. Duckweed plants were grown in outdoor 12-day batch experiments in nutrient solution containing 0.3–10 mg B L −1. Plant biomass production was not affected by B over the tested concentrations during the 12-day cultivation period. Boron removal and the bioconcentration factor of B in L. gibba were highest at initial B concentrations below 2 mg L −1, and decreased as the initial B concentration increased. Boron content in the plants at the end of the experiment ranged between 930 and 1900 mg kg −1 dry weight, and was comparable to that of wetland plants reported to be good B accumulators. Boron removal by L. gibba may therefore be a suitable option for the treatment of water containing B concentrations below 2 mg L −1.