In situ phytoremediation characterization of heavy metals promoted by Hydrocotyle ranunculoides at Santa Bárbara stream, an anthropogenic polluted site in southern of Brazil

Abstract

Aquatic environments are widely affected by anthropogenic activities and efficient remediation of these areas requires detailed studies for each natural ecosystem. This research aimed to evaluate the natural phytoremediation potential of Hydrocotyle ranunculoides L., a floating aquatic macrophyte located in a polluted aquatic environment in South of the Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Nutrients such as P, K, Ca, Mg, and S and heavy metals such as Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Na, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Al, As, Co, and V content in the roots and shoots of the plants were evaluated through nitric perchloric acid digestion (HNO-HClO) methods and quantified by ICP-OES. Bioconcentration factor (BCF), translocation factor (TF), plant effective number (PEN), and potential phytoremoval (mg m) were carried out. H. ranunculoides showed a substantial ability for phytoextracting P, Na, and As, since showed ability of uptake these elements from the water and translocate them to the shoots of the plants. H. ranunculoides also showed potential for application in rhizofiltration of Mg, S, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Al, and V, since exhibited high potential to uptake higher levels in the roots. The highest potential for bioremoval (mg m) of the H. ranunculoides was detected for K, Ca, P (recommending thus the use for phytoextraction), Fe, and Al (highly recommended for rhizofiltration). Therefore, this species under study showed high potential for in situ phytoremediation at Santa Bárbara stream, and as a widespread species, it might be tested for phytoremediation in other sites.

Stream contamination by trace elements: biota incorporation and phytoremediation

“…In an ex-situ study testing the phytofiltration potential of three species of aquatic macrophytes (Callitriche stagnalis Scop., Potamogeton natans L. and P. pectinatus L.), Pratas et al (2014) found an approximately 85% of reduction in uranium concentrations in water. Demarco et al (2018) observed that the aquatic macrophyte Hydrocotyle ranunculoides L.f. presented high potential for bioremediation for several trace elements (mainly iron and aluminum) from the rizofiltration method.…”

“…The phytoremediation consists of a natural ability of plants to remove, reduce and/or degrade toxic elements in the environment (Peng et al, 2009). The phytoremediation has been considered a great approach in reducing trace element concentrations (Pratas et al, 2014;Demarco et al, 2018), because of its low cost and it is an ecologically correct approach (Lee, 2013).…”

Phytoremediation as a Tool for the Remediation of Wastewater Resulting From Dyeing Activities

“…The wastewater is released into drainage system without treatment, eventually, this toxic wastewater makes it way into River Kaduna which is the nearby water body (Bununu et al, 2015;Ogwueleka, 2014Ogwueleka, , 2015. Some of the wastewater can seep into aquifers and pollute underground water since they cannot be confined within specific boundaries (Braun et al, 2018;Demarco et al, 2018;Fernandez San Juan et al, 2018). The untreated wastewater tends to have an ecological impact on the nearby water bodies which is river Kaduna leading to increased nutrient load leading to eutrophication, which is open water can progressively lead to oxygen deficiency, algae blooms, and death of aquatic life.…”

Alleviation of Lead Stress on Sage Plant by 5-Aminolevulinic Acid (ALA)

“…Heavy metals are toxic pollutants that are tough to eliminate and small quantities can cause an unlimited threat to the environment [ 1 ]. Heavy metals produce oxidative stress and desiccation in plants, which result in the reduction of the yield and corrosion in the crop quality [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Photosynthesis and PSII are sensitive to heavy metals and particularly lead stress.…”