Screening and signifying the uranium remediation level of Alternanthera philoxeroides and Eichhornia crassipes from aquatic medium.

Abstract

Uranium is causing a hazardous impact on the human population throughout the globe. Different methods of remediation have been documented but the approach of phytoremediation has been praised throughout the globe. The bioaccumulation of uranium especially as a hyper-accumulator, has been documented in limited plant species. Therefore the current studies were conducted to elaborate on the overall U accumulation, biochemical and photochemical reactions in Alternanthera philoxeroides and Eichhornia crassipes to different concentrations of Uranium. The results showed that the accumulation of U in A.philoxeroides is higher; followed by E.crassipes; with maximum amounts of roots accumulation. Overall A.philoxeroides and E.crassipes accumulate as much as 948.88 mg/kg and 801.87 mg/kg on a dry weight basis. The biochemical results showed that Superoxide dismutase (SOD) decreased in the leaves and stem of A.philoxeroides; whereas an increase has been seen in E.crassipes in response to all treatments. peroxidase (POD) and Catalase (CAT) showed irregular response to all treatments; where the main increase was observed at T3 (120 μmol/L) and 72 h up to 138 μ/g-FW (POD) and 178 μ/g-FW (CAT) in A.philoxeroides and 1870 μ/g-FW (POD) and 73 μ/g-FW (CAT) in E.crassipes, respectively. The correlation coefficient between the fluorescence ratio Fv/Fm and the concentrations of U-treatment was significantly negative. It is concluded from the results that Uranium halted the biochemical and photochemical reaction but the plants resisted its impact while accumulating a good amount of uranium which is a good prospect for future interventions for the in-situ remediation of uranium-affected sites.