title: Meta-Analysis of the Copper, Zinc, and Cadmium Absorption Capacities of Aquatic Plants in Heavy Metal-Polluted Water.
abstract: The use of aquatic plants for phytoremediation is an important method for restoring polluted ecosystems. We sought to analyze the capacity of different aquatic plant species to absorb heavy metals and to summarize available relevant scientific data on this topic. We present a meta-analysis of Cu, Zn, and Cd absorption capacities of aquatic plants to provide a scientific basis for the selection of aquatic plants suitable for remediation of heavy-metal pollution. Plants from the Gramineae, Pontederiaceae, Ceratophyllaceae, Typhaceae and Haloragaceae showed relatively strong abilities to absorb these metals. The ability of a particular plant species to absorb a given metal was strongly correlated with its ability to absorb the other metals. However, the absorption abilities varied with the plant organ, with the following trend: roots > stems > leaves. The pH of the water and the life habits of aquatic plants (submerged and emerged) also affect the plant's ability to absorb elements. Acidic water aids the uptake of heavy metals by plants. The correlation observed between element concentrations in plants with different aquatic life habits suggested that the enrichment mechanism is related to the surface area of the plant exposed to water. We argue that this meta-analysis would aid the selection of aquatic plants suitable for heavy-metal absorption from polluted waters.
authors.affiliation: College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China. lijing9411@bjfu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China. yuhaixin@bjfu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Haixin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China. luanyaning@bjfu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Yaning
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Luan
mesh_terms: D059001:Aquatic Organisms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002104:Cadmium / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D010944:Plants / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D015032:Zinc / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D002104:Cadmium; D003300:Copper; D015032:Zinc
keywords: aquatic plants; cadmium metal absorption; copper metal absorption; heavy metals; meta-analysis; phytoremediation; zinc metal absorption