Metals Concentration and Accumulation in Several Aquatic Macrophytes

Abstract

ABSTRACTAquatic macrophytes can be used in the studies of water ecosystems quality and in monitoring of metals and other pollutants. This study was focused on assessment of metals accumulation in certain aquatic macrophytes (biomonitors), in relation to metal concentration in water and sediment (abiotic monitors) of the lake. The concentrations of Fe, Mn, Cu and Pb were measured in the water, sediment and several aquatic plants (Alisma plantago-aquatica L., Mentha aquatica L., Myriophyllum spicatum L., Bidens tripartitus L., Polygonum amphibium L., Lycopus europaeus L., Typha angustifolia L. and Roripa amphibia (L.) Bess.). The concentrations of all investigated metals were higher in the sediment than in the water. Their mean concentrations in macrophytes were ranked from highest to lowest as follows: Fe > Mn > Cu > Pb. The highest concentrations of Fe and Pb were recorded in Mentha aquatica and Myriophyllum spicatum. The statistical analysis revealed positive and significant differences (P<0.05) between Cu accumulation and plant species. The Pearson correlation coefficient showed low correlation in Cu accumulation between plant species. These results showed that the aquatic plants possess different accumulation ability for selected metals. The application of macrophytes could be useful in finding solutions for problems of protection, sanation and revitalization of different aquatic ecosystems.