Accumulation and biological cycling of heavy metal in four salt marsh species, from Tagus estuary (Portugal)

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2010

Authors

Duarte, B (Author) Other; Caetano, M (Author) Other; Pedro Almeida (Author) Other; Vale, C (Author) ICBAS; Cacador, I (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Environmental Pollution

Vol. 158

Pages: 1661-1668

ISSN: 0269-7491

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 83 Citations

Scopus - 120 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-6YK

DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2009.12.004

Abstract (EN): Pools of Zn, Cu, Cd and Co in leaf, stem and root tissues of Sarcocornia fruticosa, Sarcocornia perennis, Halimione portulacoides and Spartina maritima were analyzed on a bimonthly basis, in a Tagus estuary salt marsh. All the major concentrations were found in the root tissues, being the concentrations in the aboveground organs neglectable for sediment budget proposes, as seen by the low root-aboveground translocation. Metal annual accumulation, root turnovers and cycling coefficients were also assessed. S. maritima showed the higher root turnovers and cycling coefficients for most of the analyzed metals, making this a phytostabilizer specie. By contrast the low root turnover, cycling coefficient and low root necromass generation makes S. perennis the most suitable specie for phytoremediation processes. Although the high amounts of metal return to the sediments, due to root senescence, salt marshes can still be considered sinks of heavy metals, cycling heavy metals mostly between sediment and root.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8