Evaluation of the ability of two plants for the phytoremediation of Cd in salt marshes

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2014

Authors

Marta Nunes da Silva (Author) Other; Ana P Mucha (Author) Other; Cristina Rocha, AC (Author) Other; Carla Silva (Author) Other; Carolina Carli (Author) Other; Carlos R Gomes (Author) FCUP; Marisa M R Almeida (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science

Vol. 141

Pages: 78-84

ISSN: 0272-7714

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 18 Citations

Scopus - 24 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Earth and related Environmental sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-009-7QT

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecss.2014.03.004

Abstract (EN): Several salt marsh plant species have shown to be able to uptake and concentrate metals in their tissues, showing potential for metal phytoremediation. However, studies in controlled conditions, mimicking as much as possible the plants natural environment, are needed to confirm this potential. For the present study, Juncus maritimus and Phragmites australis were collected in an estuary together with the sediment surrounding their roots, put in vessels and maintained in greenhouses under estuarine tidal simulation. After 3 weeks of acclimation, vessels were spiked with two different cadmium concentrations. After 2 months, cadmium was assessed in plant tissues and sediments. Results indicate that both plant species were able to uptake and translocate cadmium into their tissues, contributing also to retain it in rhizo-sediments and thus reducing the available amount of metal in the environment. Metal was preferentially accumulated in belowground structures, in concentrations not directly proportional to the amount of cadmium present in the sediment. Although no visual toxicity signs were observed, some defence mechanisms were triggered as observed by the changes in carotenoids, lignin, total soluble phenolic compounds and thiolic compounds levels, this response differing between plant species. This work shows that these two salt marsh plants can contribute for the retention of cadmium in salt marshes being useful for the phytostabilization of this metal in estuarine environments.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7