Phytoremediation of water polluted by thallium, cadmium, zinc, and lead with the use of macrophyte Callitriche cophocarpa.
The objective of the present work was to study the phytoremediation capacity of Callitriche cophocarpa concerning water contaminated with thallium (Tl), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), and lead (Pb) derived from the natural environment. We found that after a 10-day incubation period, shoots of C. cophocarpa effectively biofiltrated the water so that it met (for Cd, Zn, and Pb) appropriate quality standards. The order of accumulation of the investigated elements by shoots (mg kg(-1) dry weight) were as follows: Zn (1120) < Tl (251) < Cd (71) < Pb (35). The order of bioconcentration factors were as follows: Cd (1177) < Tl (1043) < Zn (718) < Pb (597). According to Microtox bioassay, C. cophocarpa significantly eradicated polluted water toxicity. During the experiment, the physiological status of plants was monitored by taking measurements of photosystem II activity (maximum efficiency of PSII, photochemical fluorescence quenching, nonphotochemical fluorescence quenching, and quantum efficiency of PSII), photosynthetic pigment contents, and shoot morphology. Plants exposed to metallic pollution did not exhibit significant changes in their physiological status compared with the control. This work is potentially applicable to the future use of C. cophocarpa in the phytoremediation of polluted, natural watercourses.
Unit of Botany and Plant Physiology, Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Horticulture, University of Agriculture in Kraków, Al. 29 Listopada 54, 31-425, Kraków, Poland, augustyn@ogr.ur.krakow.pl.
Joanna
J
Augustynowicz
Krzysztof
K
Tokarz
Agnieszka
A
Baran
Bartosz J
BJ
Płachno
D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002104:Cadmium / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000379:methods*; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D010943:Plantago / Q000502:physiology*; D013793:Thallium / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D015032:Zinc / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D002104:Cadmium; D007854:Lead; D013793:Thallium; D015032:Zinc