Assessment of heavy metal contamination and removal using Ceratophyllum demersum L.: a case study
by Aybike Gül Karaoğlu; Mehmet Kobya; Aysegul Yagmur Goren; Esra Meşe; Melike Tepe
International Journal of Global Warming (IJGW), Vol. 33, No. 4, 2024

Abstract: Assessment of heavy metal contamination in aquatic ecosystems continues to remain challenging. In this regard, Ceratophyllum demersum L. (C. demersum L.) is a common species found in rivers and can be used as a bioindicator to see the accumulation of heavy metals in the plant body. In this study, we aimed to investigate the accumulation of toxic metals and their effects on photosynthetic pigment content in plants for different seasons. The highest metal accumulations were observed in October 2019. The mean boron concentrations were 399 mg/kg in October 2019, while they were measured as 163 mg/kg in July 2020, most probably due to the decreasing agricultural activities in the studied area. However, the highest metal concentrations (aluminium 3,941 mg/kg and iron 5,161 mg/kg) were measured in July 2010. Moreover, the pigment content values were decreased with the increasing metal concentration in plants. The highest pigment content of 4.7 µg/g was observed in October 2019, related to the low metal contamination in this season. Overall, C. demersum L. is a promising bioindicator of heavy metal pollution in water bodies with a significant amount of heavy metal accumulation capacity in a sustainable manner.

Online publication date: Tue, 09-Jul-2024

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Global Warming (IJGW):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com