Accumulation of Metals in Naturally Grown Weeds (Aquatic Macrophytes) Grown on an Industrial Effluent Channel

Abstract

The ability of seven hyperaccumulator macrophytes which grow naturally in the heavy metal contaminated channels of three different industries (Hindustan Aeronautical Ltd., Eveready Ltd., and Scooter India Ltd.) to accumulate heavy metals was recorded. All these industries use electroplating processes in their manufacturing and are located in the inner area of Lucknow City, U.P., India. Of the three industries monitored, effluent released from Eveready Ltd. contained the highest concentration of heavy metals. In general, accumulations of heavy metals depend upon the plant species and the metal concentration in the media. All plant samples showed heterogeneous metal accumulations, except for Fe or Cd. It was observed that some plant species accumulated high level of metals, e. g., Eichhornnia crassipes for Fe (4052.44 lg/g), Mn (788.42 lg/g), and Cu (315.50 lg/g), and Spirodela polyrhiza for Cd (12.75 lg/g), Pb (20.25 lg/g), and Cr (128.27 lg/g), even when the metal concentrations were not high in the effluent. In summary, these two plants were found to be the best accumulators at each contaminated site. The results will be helpful in the selection of plant species which can be used as bioaccumulators or bioindicators.

Meta-Analysis of the Copper, Zinc, and Cadmium Absorption Capacities of Aquatic Plants in Heavy Metal-Polluted Water

“…The concentration of metals in water was not particularly high, but the sediment and aquatic plants both accumulated high concentrations of metals. These results are in agreement with those of Sahu [ 48 ]. A likely explanation is that under continuous chronic exposure of the plant, heavy metals modify metabolic pathways by increasing the demand for essential nutrients [ 56 ].…”

“…The roots have been known as good absorptive sponge for heavy metals in soil and water. Similar findings have been reported by various authors for heavy metal uptake in water [ 8 , 9 , 47 , 48 ]. A possible reason is that the roots are the primary site of metal uptake.…”

Endophytic Burkholderia sp. strain PsJN Improves Plant Growth and Phytoremediation of Soil Irrigated with Textile Effluent

“…Higher metal contents in the plants of T2 and T3 as compared to T1, showing a positive correlation between water and nutrient availability and plants nutrient concentrations. Similarly, high concentrations of nutrients were observed in different plants irrigated with textile and other industrial effluents . Overall, leaves had the highest concentration of nutrients followed by the root and stem in all of the three treatments.…”

Heavy Metal Determination and Pollution of the Soil and Plants of Southeast Tavşanlı (Kütahya, Turkey)

“…For example, in the case of V2d (herbaceous), As (35 ppm), Al (1200 ppm), Fe (2400 ppm), Co (1.8 ppm), and Ni (9.3 ppm) have reached the highest value. The presence of the elements in the plants varies according to the sample type [2,4,8,10,12,16,17,20,22,37]. For example, the highest concentrations of elements have been observed in herbaceous plants and in the leaves of trees in general.…”