article · International Journal of Phytoremediation
Field research evaluated the bioaccumulation and rhizofiltration capacity of the aquatic plant Pistia stratiotes for removing heavy metals along the Al-Sero drain in Giza Province. Over monthly samplings, the annual mean shoot biomass of the plant was ten times greater than its root biomass. Most investigated metals exhibited bio-concentration factors above 1000, with only chromium and lead falling below this benchmark. Translocation factors from roots to shoots stayed at or below one for most elements, excluding lead and copper. Rhizofiltration potential reached values above 1000 for iron, and exceeded 100 for chromium, lead, and copper. In addition, significant positive correlations were found between water concentrations and plant tissues for iron and copper, demonstrating the capability of the plant to capture toxic metals from polluted wetland waters.
Heavy metal pollution in agricultural and municipal drainage water threatens aquatic ecosystems and downstream environments. Establishing the ability of widespread aquatic plants to concentrate and filter elements such as iron, copper, chromium, and lead provides evidence for low-cost, plant-based water purification strategies in contaminated wetlands.
This research could support nature-based water treatment programmes and constructed wetlands run by municipal wastewater managers or environmental restoration operators. Because the findings are based on field monitoring in an existing drainage canal, the technology remains at an early, exploratory stage. Commercial or public deployment would require controlled trials to determine planting density, optimal harvesting intervals, and safe disposal methods for the metal-loaded biomass.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
The bioaccumulation and rhizofiltration potential of P. stratiotes for heavy metals were investigated to mitigate water pollution in the Egyptian wetlands. Plant and water samples were collected monthly through nine quadrats equally distributed along three sites at Al-Sero drain in Giza Province. The annual mean of the shoot biomass was 10 times that of the root. The concentrations of shoot heavy metals fell in the order: Fe < Mn < Cr < Pb < Cu < Zn < Ni < Co < Cd, while that of the roots were: Fe < Mn < Cr < Pb < Zn < Ni < Co < Cu < Cd. The bio-concentration factor (BCF) of most investigated heavy metals, except Cr and Pb, was greater than 1000, while the translocation factor (TF) of most investigated metals, except Pb and Cu, did not exceed one. The rhizofiltration potential (RP) of heavy metals was higher than 1000 for Fe, and 100 for Cr, Pb and Cu. Significant positive correlations between Fe and Cu in water with those in plant roots and leaves, respectively were recorded, which, in addition to the high BCF and RP, indicate the potential use of P. stratiotes in mitigating these toxic metals.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.1080/15226514.2017.1365343
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
