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Trace metal concentrations and their transfer from sediment to leaves of four common aquatic macrophytes

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Abstract

In the present study, the concentrations of trace and alkali metals in leaves of four common helophytes, Sparganium erectum, Glyceria maxima, Phalaris arundinacea, and Phragmites australis, as well as in corresponding water and bottom sediments were investigated to ascertain plant bioaccumulation ability. Results showed that Mn and Fe were the most abundant trace metals in all plant species, while Co and Pb contents were the lowest. Leaves of species studied differed significantly in respect of element concentrations. The highest concentrations of Mg, Na, Fe, Mn, Cu, Pb, and Ni were noted in S. erectum while the highest contents of Co, Ca, Zn, and Cr in Phalaris arundinacea. Phragmites australis contained the lowest amounts of most elements. Concentrations of Co, Cr, Fe, and Mn in all species studied and Ni in all except for Phragmites australis were higher than natural for hydrophytes. The leaves/sediment ratio was more than unity for all alkali metals as well as for Cu and Mn in Phragmites australis; Cr, Co, and Zn in Phalaris arundinacea; Cr and Mn in S. erectum; and Cr in G. maxima. High enrichment factors and high levels of toxic metals in the species studied indicated a special ability of these plants to absorb and store certain non-essential metals and, consequently, their potential for phytoremediation of contaminated aquatic ecosystems.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, Institute of Environmental Biology, University of Wrocław, ul. Kanonia 6/8, 50-328, Wrocław, Poland

    Renata Łojko

  2. Department of Ecology, Biogeochemistry and Environmental Protection, University of Wrocław, ul. Kanonia 6/8, 50-328, Wrocław, Poland

    Ludmiła Polechońska, Agnieszka Klink & Piotr Kosiba

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  1. Renata Łojko
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  2. Ludmiła Polechońska
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  3. Piotr Kosiba
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Correspondence to Agnieszka Klink.

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Responsible editor: Elena Maestri

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Łojko, R., Polechońska, L., Klink, A. et al. Trace metal concentrations and their transfer from sediment to leaves of four common aquatic macrophytes. Environ Sci Pollut Res 22, 15123–15131 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-015-4641-1

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