Bioaccumulation of nickel by aquatic macrophytes

Abstract

Aquatic plants are being used successfully for the accumulation of trace elements in natural and constructed wetlands. Four aquatic plants were examined for their ability to remove heavy metals from contaminated water. In our study, bioaccumulation abilities of Lemna, Apium, Ceratophyllum and Groenlandia species were found. As for the results, different rates of Ni were removed mostly by Groenlandia on the 6th day correlated with time and concentration. The BCF rates for Ni are found in the concentration values ranging from 576 to 1867 mg g(-1) for Lemna trisulca, 587-1116 mg g(-1) for Apium nodifolium, 920-2945 mg g(-1) for Grolandia densa and 489-774 mg g(-1) for Ceratophyllum submersum Maximum rates for Ni are determined for Grolandia densa and the minimum rate is 489-774 mg g for Ceratophyllum submersum.