The accumulation of heavy metals in the submerged plant (Elodea nuttallii).

Abstract

Several species of submerged plants grow in flowing water of polluted urban rivers in Japan. The measurement of heavy metals content in the submerged plants is suitable for a criterion to estimate the average heavy metals concentration in water. Changes of enrichment factor when heavy metals coexist with phosphoric acid ion are investigated. For this purpose, Elodea nuttallii, an aquathic plant prolific in polluted urban rivers in Japan and one which accumulates heavy metals easily was chosen.