Bioaccumulation Potential and Physiological Responses of Aquatic Macrophytes to Pb Pollution

Abstract

In view of their potential bioaccumulation of heavy metals, Ceratophyllum demersum and Myriophyllum spicatum was studied under hydroponic cultures enriched by different Pb concentrations (25, 50, 75 mg/l) for 1-7 days. Both species exerted remarkable capabilities to concentrate Pb in their tissues as compared to control. The highest accumulation value of Pb (164.26 mg/g x dw) was recorded in C. demersum and the most of metal (91.72 mg/g dw) accumulated after 1 d. Significant reduction in photosynthetic pigments and appearance of morphological symptoms such as chlorosis and fragmentation of leaves were evident after 7d at 75 mg/l. The activity of POX and APX, carotenoids and proline showed induction at lower concentration and duration followed by decline. Major re-shuffle in protein patterns appeared as a tolerant mechanism, which both species developed under Pb toxicity. Results suggest that both species responded positively to Pb concentration and accumulated high amount of metal. Due to metal accumulation coupled with detoxification potential, both species appear to have potential for use as phytoremediators and the developed responses can be used as reliable biomarkers for Pb water pollution.

Potential role of Ceratophyllum demersum in bioaccumulation and tolerance of some heavy metals

“…This result was in agree with Chen et al (2015) who reported that C. demersum appears to possess a high potential for lead bioaccumulation, where the maximum amount of lead accumulated in the plants reached 4016.4 mg kg -1 . Moreover, C. demersum has been reported to exhibit strong tolerance to lead (El-Khatib et al, 2014;Mishra et al, 2006). In addition, some studies improved that C. demersum L. have the ability to remove the bullets Lead, Nickel and Cadmium more than the rest of Iron, Manganese and Zinc (Zimmels et al, 2009).…”

Effects of high Zn and Pb concentrations onPhragmites australis(Cav.) Trin. Ex. Steudel: Photosynthetic performance and metal accumulation capacity under controlled conditions

“…These metal concentrations were chosen according to previous studies, which reported significant but not lethal effects of these metal concentration on P. australis or in other aquatic macrophytes (Caldelas et al, 2011;El-Khatib, Hegazy, and Abo-El-Kassem 2014).…”

Application of Floating Aquatic Plants in Phytoremediation of Heavy Metals Polluted Water: A Review

“…They have the ability to remove heavy metals from water and sediments [240][241][242]. Some of the famous submerged plants such as parrot feather (Myriophyllum spicatum), coontail or hornwort (Ceratophyllumdemersum), pondweed (Potamogeton Crispus), American pondweed (Potamogetonpectinatus), Mentha Aquatica, Vallisneria spiralis and water mint are well known for their ability to accumulate Zn, Cr, Fe, Cu, Cd, Ni, Hg and Pb [152,154,155,157,243].…”