TITLE:
Capacity of Absorption and Removal of Heavy Metals from Scirpus californicus and Its Potential Use in the Remediation of Polluted Aquatic Environment
AUTHORS:
Walter Cuadrado, María Custodio, Ciro Espinoza, Carmela Vicuña, Marilú Uribe
KEYWORDS:
Phytoremediation, Absorption and Accumulation, Heavy Metals, Scirpus californicus
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Marine Science,
Vol.9 No.2,
March
4,
2019
ABSTRACT: The
research aimed to evaluate the absorption and removal capacity of Cu, Pb, Fe
and Zn from Scirpus californicus for
potential use in the remediation of polluted aquatic environments. Initially, Scirpus californicus plants were
conditioned in 1.5 liters of 10 ppm Cu solution at a pH of 2.3 as well as Pb,
Fe and Zn. Subsequently, the concentration of heavy metals in the root-rhizome,
submerged stem and aerial stem was determined; the solution and pH were also
analyzed. The greatest capacity of absorption and accumulation occurred in the
root-rhizome reaching values for Cu of 491.84, Pb of 739.43, Zn of 830.71 and
Fe of 2624.72 mg/kg dry followed by the submerged stem and low values for the
aerial stem. The removal efficiency of Cu from the solution was 52.10%, Pb
53.50%, Fe 48.00% and Zn 50.20%. It is concluded that the contact time has a
significant effect on the absorption and removal capacity of the metals under
study.