Submerged hydrophytes as a tool for the removal of heavy metals

Abstract

Aquatic macrophytes serve as a remarkable biological filter. By absorbing the dissolved metals and pollutants through their tissues, they can efficiently detoxify water streams. The majority of human activities result in the discharge of toxic substances, including heavy metals, as byproducts into water, sediments, and the environment. This study assesses the efficacy of the usage of submerged aquatic macrophytes, such as Ceratophyllum demerssum L. (Family: Ceratophyllaceae) and Potamogeton pectinatus L. (Family: Potamogetonaceae), gathered from El-Burullus Lake, which is located northeast to deltaic vicinity of Egypt, to purify waste-polluted water from heavy metals: cadmium, lead, zinc and manganese. Concentrations of these metals in the wastewater samples were measured by means of atomic absorption spectroscopy. Results showed that C. demerssum has an elimination performance of 63% for heavy metals studied, which was lower than that of P. pectinatus measured at 75%. Therefore, aquatic macrophytes studied are promising candidates for remediating wastewater, comparing extent of eco-toxicity, and preventing pollution occurring in the aquatic environments.

Keywords

Wastewater treatment / Potamogeton pectinatus L. / Ceratophyllum demerssum L. / Bioremoval of pollutants

Funding

None.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare there are no actual or potential competing interests.

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