Laboratory tests for the phytoextraction of heavy metals from polluted harbor sediments using aquatic plants

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the concentrations and pollution levels of heavy metals, organochlorine pesticides, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in marine sediments from the Leghorn Harbor (Italy) on the Mediterranean Sea. The phytoextraction capacity of three aquatic plants Salvinia natans, Vallisneria spiralis, and Cabomba aquatica was also tested in the removal of lead and copper, present in high concentration in these sediments. The average detectable concentrations of metals accumulated by the plants in the studied area were as follows: >3.328 ± 0.032 mg/kg dry weight (DW) of Pb and 2.641 ± 0.014 mg/kg DW of Cu for S. natans, >3.107 ± 0.034 g/kg DW for V. spiralis, and >2.400 ± 0.029 mg/kg DW for C. aquatica. The occurrence of pesticides was also analyzed in the sediment sample by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Due to its metal and organic compound accumulation patterns, S. natans is a potential candidate in phytoextraction strategies.

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

“…Municipal wastewater possesses significant risk for the aquatic environment as it is a main cause of heavy metal pollution. Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb and Hg are potentially more noxious metals and they may cause chronic and acute health effects, bioaccumulation and phytotoxicity [251][252][253]. Application of aquatic plants for the removal of heavy metals from municipal wastewater, sewage water, spillage areas, and other polluted sites has become a common practice and experimental technique [254,255].…”

Uptake of Pb and Cd by Plant Species: A Review

“…Phytoextraction is the best approach to remove the contamination primarily from the soil and isolate it, without destroying the soil structure and fertility of the plant. According to [15], plant species such as Salvinia natain, Vallisneira Spiralis and Cabomba aquatica have the potential to uptake heavy metals from spoil land. Sebera Aciminate, Thlaspic Caerulescene, Arbidoposis thaliana, Typha Latifolia and Phragmtic austrials are also plant species capable of accumulating heavy metals in their tissues [7].…”

Pollution Potential Assessment of Nymphaea alba in Nigeen Basin of Dal Lake, Kashmir (J&K), India

“…Furthermore, they can regulate the lake water body, degrade various pollutants and improve the transparency (Mânzatu et al, 2015;Rezania et al, 2016).…”