An Analysis of the Reaction of Frogbit (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae L.) to Cadmium Contamination with a View to Its Use in the Phytoremediation of Water Bodies

Abstract

Macrophytes play an important role in assessing the condition of aquatic ecosystems. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of cadmium uptake by frogbit (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae) for the phytoremediation of aquatic ecosystems. The study examined cadmium (Cd) uptake by frogbit grown under conditions of low and high fertilizer dose and three cadmium dose levels over three- and six-week exposure times. Cadmium uptake was found to be influenced by water reactivity, mineral nutrient abundance, and exposure time. Its accumulation in frogbit is hence a good bioindicator of cadmium pollution in water bodies. Where the plant had greater access to phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium (PNK) compounds, i.e., high fertilizer level, a higher pH level (7.6) was associated with increased cadmium uptake and decreased plant biomass. A higher PNK level was also associated with greater tolerance to cadmium, while at lower PNK levels, more efficient cadmium uptake was noted after three weeks. Hydrocharis morsus-ranae can be used for water and wastewater treatment in the final stage of phytoremediation, but in combination with other species of pleustophytes that represent different biosorption sites.

The challenges of aquaculture in protecting the aquatic ecosystems in the context of climate changes

“…Also the experiences of bivalve and seaweed farming in Africa and Asia indicate a good impact of marine aquaculture on the environment through increase nitrogen removal from seawater mostly during harvest (Barrett et al, 2022). The application of the results of scientific studies related to the presence of toxic metals in waters and their effect on aquatic organisms in trophically diverse waters will allow determination of limit values for the introduced quality standards concerning water and protective measures (Gałczyńska, 2012;Fu et al, 2016).…”