Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Application of algae in biomonitoring and phytoextraction of heavy metals contamination in urban stream water

  • Published:
International Journal of Environmental Science & Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Biological technologies for wastewater remediation techniques employed to remove contaminants in urban stream water are increasingly receiving attention worldwide. The purpose of this study was therefore to determine the concentrations of lead, cadmium, copper, zinc, manganese and iron in algal biomass and establish the feasibility of using algae in phytoextraction and bio-monitoring of environmental quality. Analysis of algal biomass samples in the Nakivubo urban stream ecosystem, Kampala, Uganda, showed that there was contamination by lead, cadmium, copper and zinc as indicated by enrichment factor and pollution load index values. It is suspected that industrial and vehicular emissions are the major sources of these pollutants. Calculated bio-concentration factor was >- 1000 but with low concentration thresholds in each element, suggesting that algal biomass was a very good heavy metal accumulator. The bio-concentration values in algal biomass were found to be in the order of copper > zinc > lead > cadmium in the Nakivubo Channelized stream. In conclusion, algae can be a promising aquatic bio-filter plant for phytoextraction and bio-monitoring of polluted urban stream ecosystems and wastewater.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Baker, A. J. M.; Brooks, R. R., (1989). Terrestrial higher plants which hyperaccumulate metallic elements. A review of their distribution, ecology and phytochemistry. Biorecovery, 1, 81–126 (46 pages).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chakravarty, M.; Patgiri, A., D., (2009). Metal pollution assessment in sediments of the Dikrong river, N. E. India. J. Hum. Ecol., 27(1), 63–67 (5 pages).

    Google Scholar 

  • Chmielewskâ, E.; Medved’, J., (2001). Bioaccumulation of heavy metals by green algae cladophora gramerata in a refinery sewage lagoon. Croat. Chem. 74(1), 135–145 (11 pages).

    Google Scholar 

  • Conti, M. E.; Cecchetti, G., (2003). Abiomonitoring study: Trace metals in algae and molluscs from yrrhenian coastal areas. Environ. Res., 93(1), 99–112 (14 pages).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eja, M. E.; Ogri O. R. A.; Arikpo G. E., (2003). Bioconcentration of heavy metals in surface sediments from the great Kwa rivers estuary, Calabar, South Eastern Nigeria. J. Nig. Environ. Soc. (2), 247–256 (10 pages).

  • Girgin, S.; Kazancy, N.; Dügel, M., (2010). Relationship between aquatic insects and heavy metals in an urban stream using multivariate techniques. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Tech., 07(4), 653–664 (12 pages).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Goyal, P.; Sharma, P.; Srivastava, S.; Srivastava, M. M., (2008). Saraca indica leaf powder for decontamination of Pb: removal, recovery, adsorbent characterization and equilibrium modeling, Int. J. Environ. Sci. Tech., 5(1), 27–34 (8 pages).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Igwe, J. C.; Abia, A. A.; Ibeh, C. A., (2008). Adsorption kinetics and intraparticulate diffusivities of Hg, As and Pb ions on unmodified and thiolated coconut fiber. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Tech., 5(1), 83–92 (10 pages).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kar, D.; Sur, P.; Mandal, S. K.; Saha, T.; Kole, R. K., (2008). Assessment of heavy metal pollution in surface water. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Tech., 5(1), 119–124 (6 pages).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kord, B.; Mataji, A.; Babaie, S., (2010). Pine (Pinus Eldarica Medw.) needles as indicator for heavy metals pollution, Int. J. Environ. Sci. Tech., 7(1), 79–84 (6 pages).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lam, P. K. S.; Gray, J. S., (2003). The use of biomarkers in environmental monitoring programmes. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 46: 182–186 (5 pages).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Levkov, Z.; Krstic, S., (2002). Use of algae for monitoring of heavy metals in the river Vardar, Macedonia. Mediterranean Mar. Sci., 3(1), 99–112 (14 pages).

    Google Scholar 

  • Muwanga, A.; Barifaijo, E., (2006). Impact of Industrial activities on heavy metal loading and their physico-chemical effects on wetlands of lake Victoria basin (Uganda). Afri. J. Tech. Sci. Eng., 7(1), 51–63 (13 pages).

    Google Scholar 

  • Nabulo, G.; Oryem-Origa, H.; Nasinyama, G.; Cole, D., (2008). Assessment of Zn, Cu, Pb, and Ni contamination in wetland soils and plants. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Tech. 5(1), 413–422 (10 pages).

    Google Scholar 

  • Nouri, J.; Khorasani, N.; Lorestani, B.; Karami, M.; Hassani, A. H.; Yousefi, N., (2009). Accumulation of heavy metals in soil and uptake by pnat species with phytoremediation potential. Environ. Earth Sci., 59(2), 315–323 (9 pages).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nwuche, C. O.; Ugoji, E. O., (2008). Effects of heavy metal pollution on the soil microbial activity, Int. J. Environ. Sci. Tech., 5(3), 409–414 (6 pages).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nyangababo, J. T.; Henry, I. and Omutunge, E., (2005a). Heavy metal contamination in plants, sediments and air precipitation of Katonga, Simiyu and Nyando wetlands of Lake Victoria basin, East Africa. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol., 75, 189–196 (10 pages).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nyangababo, J. T.; Henry E.; Omutange E., (2005b). Lead, cadmium, copper, manganese and zinc in wetland waters of Victoria lake basin, East Africa. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 74: 1003–1010 (8 pages).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nyangababo, J. T.; Ichikuni, M., (1986). The use of Ceder Bark in the study of Heavy Metal Concentration in the Nagatsuta Area, Japan. Environ. Pollut. Ser. B 11: 211–229.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Scott,C. D., (1992). Removal of dissolved metals by plant tissue. Biotech. Bioeng, 1062–1068 (7 pages).

  • Sekabira, K.; Oryem Origa, H.; Basamba, T. A.; Mutumba, G.; Kakudidi, E., (2010a). Assessment of heavy metal pollution in the urban stream sediments and its tributaries. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Tech., 7(3), 435–446 (12 pages).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sekabira, K.; Oryem Origa, H.; Basamba, T. A.; Mutumba, G.; Kakudidi, E., (2010b). Heavy metal assessment and water quality values in urban stream and rain water. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Tech., 7(4), 759–770 (12 pages).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shah, B. A.; Shah, V. A.; Singh, R. R., (2009). Sorption isotherms and kinetics of chromium uptake from wastewater using natural sorbent material, Int. J. Environ. Sci. Tech., 6(1), 77–90 (14 pages).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thangavel, P. and Subbhuraam, C. V., (2004). Phytoextraction: Role of Hyperaccumulator in Metal Contaminated Soils, Proc. Indian natn. Sci. Acad, B70 1: 109–130 (22 pages).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wuana, R. A.; Okieimen, F. E.; Imborvungu, J. A., (2010). Removal of heavy metals from a contaminated soil using organic chelating acids, Int. J. Environ. Sci. Tech., 7(3), 485–496 (12 pages).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zayed, A.; Gowthaman, S.; Terry, N., (1998). Phytoaccumulation of trace elements by wetland plants: Duckweed. J. Environ. Qual., 27: 715–721 (7 pages).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of the Environment, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Kampala International University, P. O. Box 20000, Kampala, Uganda

    K. Sekabira B.Sc, M.Sc (Ph.D. Candidate)

  2. Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda

    H. Oryem Origa Prof. B.Sc, M.Sc, PhD, G. Mutumba Ass. Prof. B.Sc, M.Sc, PhD & E. Kakudidi B.Sc, M.Sc, PhD

  3. Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda

    T. A. Basamba B.Sc, M.Sc, PhD

Authors
  1. K. Sekabira B.Sc, M.Sc
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. H. Oryem Origa Prof. B.Sc, M.Sc, PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. T. A. Basamba B.Sc, M.Sc, PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. G. Mutumba Ass. Prof. B.Sc, M.Sc, PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. E. Kakudidi B.Sc, M.Sc, PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to K. Sekabira B.Sc, M.Sc.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sekabira, K., Origa, H.O., Basamba, T.A. et al. Application of algae in biomonitoring and phytoextraction of heavy metals contamination in urban stream water. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 8, 115–128 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03326201

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03326201

Keywords

Search

Navigation