Abstract
This study experimentally investigated heavy metal removal and accumulation in the aquatic plant Eichhornia crassipes. Pb, Zn, Cd, and Mn concentrations, plant morphology, and plant functional groups were analyzed. Eichhornia crassipes achieved high removal efficiency of Pb and Mn from karst water (over 79.5%), with high proportion of Pb, Zn, and Cd absorption occurring in the first eight days. The highest removal efficiencies were obtained at initial Pb, Zn, Cd, and Mn concentrations of 1 mg/L, 2 mg/L, 0.02 mg/L, and 0.2 mg/L, respectively. Eichhornia crassipes exhibited a high bioconcentration factor (Mn = 199,567 > Pb = 19,605 > Cd = 3403 > Zn = 1913) and a low translocation factor (<1). The roots accumulated more Pb, Zn, Cd, and Mn than the stolons and leaves due to the stronger tolerance of roots. The voids, stomas, air chambers, and airways promoted this accumulation. Pb, Cd, Zn, and Mn likely exchanged with Mg, Na, and K through the cation exchange. C≡C, C=O, SO42−, O-H, C-H, and C-O played different roles during uptake, which led to different removal and accumulation effects.
Highlights
With the global development and increase in industrialization, mining, and anthropogenic activities, the generation of municipal sewage, heavy metal-based products, and other various wastes has led to severe heavy metal pollution in the ecological environment [1]
Previous research states that substantial heavy metal removal can be achieved in a short time by Eichhornia crassipes [23]
This study presents novel researchand onmakes the removal of Pb, Zn, Cd, and
Summary
With the global development and increase in industrialization, mining, and anthropogenic activities, the generation of municipal sewage, heavy metal-based products, and other various wastes has led to severe heavy metal pollution in the ecological environment [1]. Karst water is impacted by multiple pollution sources including industrial, agricultural, and urban sources; it is a significant challenge to remediate karst water polluted by heavy metals [3]. Heavy metals such as Pb, Zn, Cd, and manganese (Mn) will persist and accumulate in plants and animals after their release into the ecological system because of their stability, biological accumulation, and non-degradability; they are toxic to biota and can seriously endanger human and animal health [4,5]. Public Health 2020, 17, 5329; doi:10.3390/ijerph17155329 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
