3 research outputs found
Phytofiltration of As<sup>3+</sup>, As<sup>5+</sup>, and Hg by the aquatic macrophyte <i>Potamogeton pusillus</i> L, and its potential use in the treatment of wastewater
<p>The aim of this paper was to investigate the capacity of the aquatic macrophyte <i>Potamogeton pusillus</i> to remove As<sup>3+</sup>, As<sup>5+</sup>, and Hg from aqueous solutions. The plants were exposed to 0 mg.L<sup>−1</sup>, 0.1 mg.L<sup>−1</sup>, 0.5 mg.L<sup>−1</sup>, 1 mg.L<sup>−1</sup>, or 2 mg.L<sup>−1</sup> of As<sup>3+</sup>, As<sup>5+</sup>, and Hg for 20 days. The results obtained for the individual removal of As<sup>3+</sup>, As<sup>5+</sup>, and Hg from water solutions, together with their accumulation in <i>P. pusillus</i>, indicate that this plant can be effectively used for the removal of Hg and of moderate concentrations of As<sup>3+</sup> or As<sup>5+</sup> (0.1 mg.L<sup>−1</sup>) from aquatic systems. Roots and leaves accumulated the highest amount of As when the plant was exposed to As<sup>5+</sup>, but when it was exposed to As<sup>3+</sup>, the root accumulated the highest amount of As, and the leaves, the highest amount of Hg. When compared to other aquatic plants species, the results showed that <i>P. pusillus</i> demonstrated a higher Hg accumulation (2465 ± 293 µg.g<sup>−1</sup>) when the transfer coefficient was 40,580 ± 3762 L.kg <sup>−1</sup>, showing the great potential of this macrophyte for phytoremediation of water contaminated with Hg. To the extent of our knowledge, this is the first report on bioaccumulation of As<sup>3+</sup>, As<sup>5+</sup>, and Hg by <i>P. pusillus</i>.</p