Aquatic macrophytes as indicators of heavy metal pollution of water in DTD canal system

Abstract

The aim of this investigation was to establish the presence or absence of chemical contamination of water and the littoral zone (banks) of Danube-Tisza-Danube (DTD) canal system. The investigation covered the canal section from Bezdan to Prigrevica. By analyzing the chemical composition of dominant aquatic species in four locations of the section, we defined the species with the highest capacity to accumulate nutrients and heavy metals. Concentrations of P and K as well as of a beneficial element Na in the tissues of the analyzed macrophytes were both species- and site-dependent. The highest accumulation was registered for Ceratophyllum demersum while the species Elodea canadensis showed increased P and K accumulation values in the location Sombor. The lowest concentrations of almost all heavy metals were recorded near Sombor, indicating that this section suffered the lowest chemical pollution. Highest concentrations of all of the analyzed heavy metals were recorded in the tissue of Ceratophyllum demersum from the location Prigrevica, possibly due to the influx of polluted drainage waters from surrounding agricultural areas as well as industrial wastewaters. The obtained results showed that the enforcement of biomonitoring and analyses of other parameters indicative of ecosystem conditions might be useful for improved protection of areas experiencing a strong human impact

The Use of Water Plants in Biomonitoring And Phytoremediation of Waters Polluted with Heavy Metals

“…were taken in the Provala lake waters) [45], in Serbia, in the canal system Danube -Tisa -Danube (samples for tests collected: Ceratophyllum demersum L., Nymphaea alba L., Phragmites communis Trin., Trapa longicarpa Jank., Typha angustifolia L., Elodea canadensis L., Phragmites communis Trin. Potamogeton pectinatus) [79] and waters of the Danube (samples taken: Potamogeton perfoliatus, Potamogeton pectinatus, Potamogeton lucens, Ceratophyllum demersum [80], in Moldavia (samples: Myriophyllum verticillatum L., Potamogeton perfoliatus L., Potamogeton pectinatus L., Elodea canadensis Michx. collected in a reservoir in Dubossary) [81], in Greece (samples taken: Ceratophyllum demersum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Potamogeton nodosus and Lemna minor) [82], in Turkey, where on the basis of analytes accumulated in Potamogeton pectinatus L., pollution of marshes in the central region was studied [83], in China (samples: Potamogeton pectinatus L. and Potamogeton malaianus Miq.…”

Heavy Metal Accumulation in Leaves of <i>Hydrocharis Morsus-Ranae L.</i> and Biomonitoring Applications

“…In that case analyses of plant tissues provide time-integrated information about quality of the system [3,13]. Some aquatic plants can accumulate several ten to several thousand times higher concentrations of metals than in their surroundings [18,24] and at a level correlated with their water or bottom sediment concentration [15]. Because of these abilities, and also high production of biomass, some macrophyte species have been successfully used as biological monitors and remediators of habitats contaminated with heavy metals.…”

Heavy Metal Accumulation in Two Macrophyte Species in River Drina, Republic of Serbia

“…Physicochemical characteristics of river water quality are changed by combined interactive processes of hydrology, topography, catchment area use, edaphic factors, erosion, bedrock geology, in combination with environmental influence of anthropogenic factors as well as living organisms in water and whole river basin 10 . Heavy metals as toxic for plants, animals and humans represents a big threat if they are in high concentration 11 . Toxic metals that can be accumulated and biomagnified along the aquatic ecosystem (through water interactions, sediments and biota along the food chain) are one of the most dangerous contaminant group 12 .…”