title: Evaluation of the potential of Pistia stratiotes L. (water lettuce) for bioindication and phytoremediation of aquatic environments contaminated with arsenic.
abstract: Specimens of Pistia stratiotes were subjected to five concentrations of arsenic (As) for seven days. Growth, As absorption, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, photosynthetic pigments, enzymatic activities, amino acids content and anatomical changes were assessed. Plant arsenic accumulation increased with increasing metalloid in the solution, while growth rate and photosynthetic pigment content decreased. The MDA content increased, indicating oxidative stress. Enzymatic activity and amino acids content increased at the lower doses of As, subsequently declining in the higher concentrations. Chlorosis and necrosis were observed in the leaves. Leaves showed starch accumulation and increased thickness of the mesophyll. In the root system, there was a loss and darkening of roots. Cell layers formed at the insertion points on the root stems may have been responsible for the loss of roots. These results indicate that water lettuce shows potential for bioindication and phytoremediation of As-contaminated aquatic environments.
authors: Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa - UFV, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
authors: F S
authors: FS
authors: Farnese
authors: Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa - UFV, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
authors: J A
authors: JA
authors: Oliveira
authors: Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro - UFTM, Uberaba, MG, Brazil.
authors: F S
authors: FS
authors: Lima
authors: Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa - UFV, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
authors: G A
authors: GA
authors: Leão
authors: Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa - UFV, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
authors: G S
authors: GS
authors: Gusman
authors: Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa - UFV, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
authors: L C
authors: LC
authors: Silva
mesh_terms: D029064:Araceae / Q000378:metabolism*; D001151:Arsenic / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D001151:Arsenic