Abstract
The use of aquatic plants for phytoremediation is an important method for restoring polluted ecosystems. We sought to analyze the capacity of different aquatic plant species to absorb heavy metals and to summarize available relevant scientific data on this topic. We present a meta-analysis of Cu, Zn, and Cd absorption capacities of aquatic plants to provide a scientific basis for the selection of aquatic plants suitable for remediation of heavy-metal pollution. Plants from the Gramineae, Pontederiaceae, Ceratophyllaceae, Typhaceae and Haloragaceae showed relatively strong abilities to absorb these metals. The ability of a particular plant species to absorb a given metal was strongly correlated with its ability to absorb the other metals. However, the absorption abilities varied with the plant organ, with the following trend: roots > stems > leaves. The pH of the water and the life habits of aquatic plants (submerged and emerged) also affect the plant’s ability to absorb elements. Acidic water aids the uptake of heavy metals by plants. The correlation observed between element concentrations in plants with different aquatic life habits suggested that the enrichment mechanism is related to the surface area of the plant exposed to water. We argue that this meta-analysis would aid the selection of aquatic plants suitable for heavy-metal absorption from polluted waters.
Highlights
Rapid large-scale industrialization and the production of a variety of chemical compounds have caused severe environmental pollution, especially heavy metal pollution
The study indicated that a total of 69 aquatic plant species, belonging to as many as 19 different families, were able to grow, and tolerate high levels of Cu, Zn, and Cd in water
As a cofactor for enzymes involved in both respiration and photosynthesis, Cu is a vital nutrient for plants
Summary
Rapid large-scale industrialization and the production of a variety of chemical compounds have caused severe environmental pollution, especially heavy metal pollution. Recent studies have shown that aquatic heavy metal pollution is an important aspect of ecological degradation [1]. The persistence of heavy metals in the ecosystem and their bioaccumulation as they move through food chains causes them to present a substantial health danger to humans [2]. Pollution with copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) is serious because these are frequent heavy metal contaminants present in water, and reach toxic concentrations in aquatic foodstuffs through food-chain biomagnification. Phytoremediation, or the use of plants to remove or break down toxic contaminants in the environment, is currently of great research interest. Plants that can absorb and store heavy metals can be used to remove those pollutants from an ecosystem. Various species show different capacities for metal uptake, and the use of these species for bioremediation has numerous economic and ecological benefits, including low cost, high efficiency, energy savings, and prevention of secondary pollution [4]
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