EVALUATION OF THE PHYTOREMEDIATION POTENTIAL OF Lemna minor AND Eichhornia crassipes IN WATERS CONTAMINATION WITH NICKEL (II)

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM: At present, human activities related to the consumption of energy and minerals have generated a negative environmental impact on aquatic ecosystems, with the nickel industry being one of those with the greatest impact on the environment. Phytoremediation is presented as a convenient technology for the stabilization of heavy metals and the improvement of water conditions, since aquatic plants can accumulate pollutants through different physical and biochemical pathways. METHODS: In this study, the bioremediation capacity of two types of aquatic macrophytes was evaluated: Lemna minor and Eichhornia crassipes upon contact with synthetic nickel sulfate solutions at a concentration of 0.5, 1.5, and 2.5 mg/L of nickel ion. Their phytoremediation effect was evaluated by calculating the bioconcentration factor, the percentage of removal, the kinetics of the removal capacity and their physical development during the process. RESULTS:The results showed that these species had a great phytoremediation potential. In addition, L. minor presented a maximum removal rate of 68%, compared to E. crassipes, which did not exceed 50% at the three concentrations studied. However, the latter macrophyte showed greater resistance to nickel affectations and obtained a higher removal capacity during the phytoremediation process, which was performed for 10 days. CONCLUSIONS:It can be concluded that the two macrophytes are presented as a good alternative for nickel removal in water body. KEYWORDS: Heavy metals, Water quality, Exposures