Bioaccumulation capacities of copper(II) ions in Salvinia natans

Capacities of the pleustophytes in the purification of the aquatic environments in Polish climatic zone have been evaluated. Studies of bioaccumulation of copper(II) from culture media contaminated with 5, 10, 15 and 20 mg Cu/dm3 by the plants of Salvinia natans species were performed. The process was carried out for 14 days with the use of artificial plant-breeding species. The balance of the content of copper(II) in dry matter of plants and in the culture media was investigated. Capabilities of Salvinia natans to bioaccumulate copper(II) have been confirmed in all contaminated culture media

Assessment of the physiological condition of Salvinia natans L. exposed to copper (II) ions

Salvinia natans L. is a known bioaccumulator of metal ions from the aquatic environment. Exposure of plants to prolonged impact of toxins along with a large dose of the metal affects the physiological condition of the plants. The changes occurring in the plants in the phytoremediation process in contaminated medium culture of 5, 10, 15 and 20 mg Cu/dm3 show two basic physiological parameters: the assimilation pigment content (chlorophyll a and b) responsible for the production of energy in the process of photosynthesis, and the total protein level as the main constituent of the plant. Conducted studies confirmed a negative effect of high concentrations of copper(II) on Salvinia natans L. plants which in these conditions are capable to bioaccumulate metal from each contaminated culture medium

The environmental pollution with copper and zinc along the communication routes in Wrocław, Poland

Copper and zinc concentrations in soils and grasses near selected communication routes in Wrocław, Poland have been determined. Environmental samples were collected from the surface layer of the soil profile within 3 m from the edge of the road. The analysis of metals in the mineralizates has been carried out by atomic absorptive spectroscopy (AAS). The conductivity and pH of the soil solutions were measured to evaluate the salinity of the soils and also their active and exchangeable acidity. There have been determined the parameters characterizing the content of metals in soils and grasses, the index of the enrichment of soils in zinc and copper (Wn), the bioaccumulation coefficient (WB), histograms of the frequency of metals occurrence in environmental samples. Also it was presented the Pearson’s r correlation coefficients for the relationships: Zn in soil/Cu in soil, Zn in grass/Cu in grass, Cu in grass/Cu in soil, Zn in grass/Zn in soil. The research does not indicate exceeding of the permissible content of copper and zinc in the environment. However, in all samples higher content of the metals compared to the geochemical background have been observed