Environmental study of some metals on several aquatic macrophytes

Abstract

Aquatic macrophytes can be used in the study of quality of water ecosystems and in monitoring of metals and other pollutants. This study was focused on assessment of metals accumulation in certain aquatic macrophytes (biomonitors), in comparison with water and sediment (abiotic monitors) of the lake. Concentrations of Fe, Mn, Cu and Pb were measured in water, sediment and plant samples, namely in stems and leaves of Bidens tripartitus L., Polygonum amphibium L., Lycopus europaeus L. and in roots, stems and leaves of two aquatic plants, Typha angustifolia L. and Typha latifolia L. The concentrations of all investigated metals were higher in sediment than in water. The mean concentrations of metals in macrophytes were sequenced: Fe > Mn > Cu > Pb. This study exhibited different metals concentration in aquatic plants, depending on the plant organ. The highest concentrations of Fe and Pb were recorded in root of T.latifolia L. As means of Mn and Cu, their concentrations were higher in stems and leaves of different investigated species. The application of macrophytes can be possible in finding of solutions for problems of protection, sanation and revitalization of different aquatic ecosystems.

Key words: Aquatic macrophytes, metals (Fe, Mn, Cu and Pb), lake contamination.