Accumulation of uranium by aquatic plants in field conditions: prospects for phytoremediation.
A study was undertaken to determine Uranium concentrations in water and aquatic plants in the uraniferous region of Beiras, Central Portugal. Samples were collected from running water (n=200) at places where aquatic species were observed. Plant samples were collected from 28 species of submerged, free-floating and rooted emergent plants including 2 bryophytes and 1 pteridophyte. Uranium concentrations in surface waters ranged from 0.23 to 1,217 μg L(-1). The aquatic plant species studied, including several previously untested species, exhibited the ability to accumulate U in concentrations many times that of the ambient water. In general submerged plants exhibited higher U content followed by rooted emergent and free floating species. The highest U concentrations were observed in the bryophyte Fontinalis antipyretica (up to 4,979 mg kg(-1)) followed by Callitriche stagnalis (1963mgkg(-1)), Callitriche hamulata (379 mg kg(-1)), Ranunculus peltatus subsp. saniculifolius (243 mg kg(-1)), Callitriche lusitanica (218 mg kg(-1)), and Ranunculus trichophyllus (65.8 mg kg(-1)). In two out of three rooted emergent species U seemed to be preferentially partitioned in rhizome/roots with highest rhizome U content recorded in Typha latifolia (380 mg kg(-1)). Among the free-floating species, the highest U content (42.5 mg kg(-1)) was seen in Lemna minor. The bryophyte F. antipyretica and Callitrichaceae members seem to be promising candidates for the development of phytofiltration methodologies based on U accumulation, abundance and biomass production.
School of Life Sciences and the Environment, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal; IMAR-CMA Marine and Environmental Research Centre, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, 3001-401 Coimbra, Portugal. Electronic address: pjcf@utad.pt.
Paulo J C
PJ
Favas
Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, 3001-401 Coimbra, Portugal; IMAR-CMA Marine and Environmental Research Centre, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, 3001-401 Coimbra, Portugal.
João
J
Pratas
Department of Botany, St. John's College, Agra 282 002, India.
Mayank
M
Varun
Department of Botany, St. John's College, Agra 282 002, India.
Rohan
R
D'Souza
Department of Botany, St. John's College, Agra 282 002, India.
Manoj S
MS
Paul
D059001:Aquatic Organisms / Q000737:chemistry; D029064:Araceae / Q000737:chemistry; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D044002:Bryophyta / Q000737:chemistry; D019068:Bryopsida / Q000737:chemistry; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D010944:Plants / Q000737:chemistry*; D011174:Portugal; D014501:Uranium / Q000032:analysis*; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*
D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive; D014501:Uranium
Aquatic macrophyte; Bioaccumulation; Bioindication; Phytofiltration; Phytotechnologies; Uranium mine